Alexander Isak injury is desperate and Liverpool now need two players in transfer window

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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCThe second part of John Aldridge's ECHO column assesses the injury to Alexander Isak and Liverpool's need to go into the transfer market this January windowSince all the commotion around Alexander Isak's £125m transfer to Liverpool, you have to say the guy has had no luck whatsoever. After not having a pre-season schedule at Newcastle, he was already playing catch up when he moved to Merseyside and that had a knock-on effect with his fitness.The groin injury he picked up in October didn't help and it felt like he has been slowly building his way towards 100% at a time when the team has generally been struggling to accommodate that.

So I am gutted for him now after seeing his goal at Tottenham Hotspur followed up by what is a serious injury.At his best, he is a goalscorer and every team in the world needs those, so to be without him now for however long is a huge blow, particularly when you factor in the confidence he should have gained from scoring against Spurs.READ MORE: Wayne Rooney makes Hugo Ekitike feelings clear as Liverpool star named Premier League bestThe question now turns to what Liverpool need to do to cover for the absence of the most expensive player in British football history?For me, they need pace in the wide areas, particularly given Mohamed Salah is now at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt.There are still big question marks over what happens with the iconic Salah upon his return to Merseyside but Antoine Semenyo at Bournemouth seems like he could be a real option now.He would add pace, versatility and a goal threat to that forward line, especially if it is one that has to operate without Isak and Salah for the time being.Only two players - Igor Thiago and Erling Haaland - have more than Semenyo's eight goals this term and his finish against Burnley at the weekend was first class.Federico Chiesa might finally get his chance in the Premier League under Slot and the hope is that Cody Gakpo returns sooner rather than later.But if you look elsewhere, then Florian Wirtz could do a job up top for now in a 'false 9' sort of role that Roberto Firmino used to play but even young Jayden Danns is currently injured, so the options really are stretched now for Slot.It's why I think January has to be the time to strike for Liverpool when it comes to the winter transfer window.They are down to the bare bones up top and at the back and another player I'd like to see them make a play for is Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.We all know what happened on transfer deadline day, so if he is set on leaving Palace as a free agent then can Liverpool look to a deal a bit earlier with the Eagles now?The England international would certainly add more strength in depth at the back and we definitely need that right now.Paul GorstPaul Gorst is the Liverpool ECHO's Liverpool FC correspondent and brings readers the inside track on all matters Anfield day in, day out. Now into his seventh season in the role, Paul follows the Reds home and away, wherever they play - including pre season.

He brings you all the latest Liverpool news first each day, plus exclusive interviews and insightful, independent analysis. A journalist with over a decade's worth of experience, he has worked at the ECHO since 2016.