When Alexander Isak showed up at Liverpool in that record-breaking deal (it’s GBP 130million), fans thought he’d flip the switch for Liverpool’s attack. Unfortunately, instead of goals, it’s been injury after injury. What was supposed to be a big season has mostly been rehab, and as soon as he looks ready to go, something else seems to go wrong.The Liverpool striker has just had another setback. Although it’s not as serious as before, it makes you wonder how long it’s going to take for him to finally get back to his best.
Alexander Isak’s latest injury: What happened?
Per Reuters, it started back in December 2025. Playing against Tottenham, Isak scored but then immediately hit the deck after colliding with defender Micky van de Ven. The scans showed a fractured fibula, a tough injury for any footballer, plus ankle damage. He needed surgery and spent months out, missing at least 20 matches in the process. Even after coming back to training, he was off the pace, and the coaches made it clear he wasn’t going to be back to full sharpness overnight.And just when things seemed to be improving, Isak strained his groin in training. It’s definitely not as bad as breaking your leg, but for a striker, groin muscles do a lot: sprinting, shooting, and sudden changes of direction all get harder. However, it’s important to note that this kind of injury is really common when players have been out for a while and are trying to get back up to speed.
How long will it take for recovery?
For his previous injury (fibula fracture) that happened in December, he returned to training around March–April 2026, which makes it three to six months later. However, per Goal, actually feeling 100% (“match fit”) often takes longer for these kinds of injuries. In fact, most coaches assumed he wouldn’t really be back to full sharpness until next season.As for the current groin issue, the usual recovery time is 1 to 3 weeks. However, the pace really varies, and rushing could set him back again. As of now, the early signs point to a short absence, instead of a full season out.Here, the pattern is familiar: Big injuries lead to a string of smaller ones while the body catches up again. After a long layoff, muscles aren’t as strong, coordination slips, and new injuries aren’t uncommon, especially in top-flight football.
What’s next for Isak and Liverpool?
Per Reuters, Isak will miss the weekend away to Manchester United, one of the season’s biggest games. For Liverpool, this isn’t just a personal blow; it forces them to rework the entire attack. Manager Arne Slot is left without a real center-forward, and with Hugo Ekitike already out for the season, the timing couldn’t be worse.
