Liverpool have confirmed that Alexander Isak has undergone surgery after sustaining a broken leg in last weekend’s victory over Tottenham. The former Newcastle marksman suffered the injury while scoring the Reds’ opening goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He was seen writhing around in agony and was treated by club medics before hobbling off the pitch and down the tunnel.

He was replaced by Jeremie Frimpong, who himself was substituted with an injury in the closing stages of the contest. It was immediately feared that Isak had suffered a broken leg, but Liverpool needed to wait for the results of a scan to confirm the severity of the problem. That scan has now taken place and their worst fears have been confirmed.

In a statement, the reigning Premier League champions announced that Isak had suffered an ankle injury which included a broken fibula.

They also said that he underwent a surgical procedure on Monday, but stopped short of confirming when he will return with no timeframe placed on his recovery as of yet.

The statement read: “Alexander Isak today successfully underwent surgery on the injury he sustained on Saturday.

“The Liverpool striker was injured in a challenge in the process of scoring the opening goal against Tottenham Hotspur and had to be substituted.

“After diagnosis, an operation was completed today on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture. Isak’s rehabilitation will now continue at the AXA Training Centre, with no timeframe yet placed on his return.”

It leaves Hugo Ekitike as Liverpool’s only fit striker, with Cody Gakpo sidelined until the New Year and Mohamed Salah representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Slot provided a brief update on Isak after the final whistle against Tottenham, admitting it rarely bodes well when a player cannot carry on especially after scoring a goal.

He said: “We’ll have to wait and see. But if a player scores and then gets injured and doesn’t try to come back on the pitch, that’s usually not a good thing.”

Meanwhile, former Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given believes Ekitike must tread carefully for Liverpool in the absence of their record signing.

Speaking on Match of the Day, the Irishman said: “It’s a big loss if Isak has gone off injured again. He’s had a stop-start campaign so far. But, Ekitike looks the real deal, doesn’t he?

“A brilliant striker and he’ll have to step up. Obviously, Mo Salah has left as well go to the Africa Cup of Nations. Ekitike will have to stay fit as well because it’s a big loss if Isak is out for a number of weeks now as well.”