Sweden manager Graham Potter has indicated that Liverpool forward Alexander Isak is working toward regaining fitness in time for the international break in March. The £125million summer signing suffered a leg fracture in December during an away win at Tottenham. The injury came moments after Isak had scored, getting tangled with Spurs defender Micky van de Ven.
Since the incident, the 26-year-old has been sidelined and has undergone surgery for both the fibula fracture and a related ankle problem. Potter hopes to have Isak, along with fellow Swede Dejan Kulusevski, available for Sweden’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on 26th March.
Signs of progress at Liverpool
Recent photos released by Liverpool show Isak training individually at the AXA Training Centre. In these images, he can be seen completing gym exercises and light football drills, marking the clearest indication yet that a return before the season’s end is possible.
Speaking to Fotboll Direkt, Potter acknowledged the challenge of recovering from such injuries in time, saying: “These are big injuries. It’s tough to come back by March, but there’s a chance. They are working hard and are optimistic.”
Mixed messages on recovery timeline
Despite Potter’s optimism, former manager Erik ten Hag offered a more cautious view last month. He explained that Isak was still heavily reliant on crutches and had only recently stopped using a walker, emphasizing that he was not yet on the pitch and that recovery would take some time.
Before the Tottenham injury, Isak had managed three goals and one assist in 16 appearances across all competitions. His progress had already been interrupted by a groin problem after Liverpool’s 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, which led to him being substituted at half-time. Upon learning of his fracture, Isak posted on social media: “Gutted to be out for a while. Time to recover and support from the side-line… I will work hard to be back as soon as I possibly can.”
Meanwhile, Hugo Ekitike, another summer signing, has been leading Liverpool’s attack during Isak’s absence, raising questions over how the two forwards will fit together once Isak returns.