Isak issues new statement after Liverpool leg break and reveals next steps

Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has been ruled out for a significant period and has issued an emotional statement

Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has spoken out following a crushing injury blow during the Reds' victory against Tottenham Hotspur. The Swedish forward suffered a leg fracture after a tackle from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven and required an operation for an "ankle injury that included a fibula fracture."

The 26-year-old entered the match as a substitute and netted for Liverpool at Tottenham on Saturday, only to be withdrawn moments after his strike. Isak was visibly struggling as he limped from the field and now faces a period on the treatment table.

Posting on Instagram, the forward expressed: "Gutted to be out for a while. Time to recover and support from the sideline.

"I will work hard to be back as soon as I possibly can. Thank you all reds and everyone else for the kind messages, it does not go unnoticed [red heart emoji] #YNWA."

The Swedish international has faced a challenging spell since his switch to Anfield from Newcastle United, sitting out the Magpies' pre-season with a minor thigh problem before refusing to train with Eddie Howe's squad to push through his transfer.

Isak has managed just two goals and provided one assist across 10 Premier League outings this campaign, adding one more strike in the Carabao Cup triumph over Southampton, though he's yet to register in the Champions League.

The British record signing has been plagued by fitness issues, and this latest blow is a significant setback.

When asked about Isak's injury, Reds boss Arne Slot remained hopeful that he'd see the striker before the end of the season.

"It's going to be a long injury, for a couple of months, so that's a big, big disappointment for him and, of course, also for us," he said. "I'm confident he can (play a part in back end of season)."

Former Reds defender Jamie Carragher discussed his misfortune on Sky Sports ' Monday Night Football. "It's a huge blow because I think Liverpool were actually one attacker short anyway," he said.

"There's a lot been made about a lot of the challenges in the game from Tottenham players and a lot of them weren't clever. I put myself in Van de Ven's position and that's a challenge I'd probably make.

"He's trying to block it - it's just the follow through. I don't know where else anyone thinks his foot's going to go.

"He has to make that challenge. You can't let the striker just get a shot away in that situation.

"It's just really bad luck for Isak. It's probably one of the first glimpses we've seen of his real quality in a Liverpool shirt."