Alexander Isak injury will force Arne Slot to abandon Liverpool plans as season on precipice

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The absence of Liverpool's no.9 means that Arne Slot will have to alter the plans he has been building towards over recent months, and places greater onus on othersAlexander Isak is set for an extended period on the sidelines thanks to a suspected broken leg(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)It’s difficult to judge exactly how serious this Liverpool side should be taken at present.Clearly, Arne Slot’s side is someway off the all-conquering team of last season, yet it has vastly improved on the dismal run of nine defeats in 12 just a few weeks ago.Six without defeat represents an an undoubted upturn of form, even if few are convinced Liverpool is an elite force once again. The team is evolving, and after identifying some of the problems that dogged the Reds across October and November, he is beginning to find solutions.That has been evident in a stronger, more compact midfield structure and a back-to-basics approach has undeniably made Liverpool more difficult to beat in recent games.Mohamed Salah’s omission from the line-up is linked to Slot’s tactical tinkering, and it remains unclear where he fits into the long-term plans.That has been amplified by Slot’s recent preference for a system lacking natural wingers.

In fact, Ekitike is one of the few players Slot can depend on.Ekitike has now scored five in his last three Premier League appearances(Image: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP via Getty Images)Regardless, Isak’s injury will invariably change Liverpool's plans for the remainder of the campaign. For many months, there's been a sense that Slot is contemplating how best to incorporate nearly £300million worth of summer signings into one team, in the form of Isak, Ekitike and Florian Wirtz.Just a few weeks ago, the output of all three may have been questioned, but with Ekitike scoring freely and Wirtz finally producing a Premier League goal contribution, the scrutiny has lessened.Isak’s injury sharpens the focus on others, though.

And might another injury force Liverpool into the January market?In the meantime, as Liverpool looks to construct a coherent shape and plan, it’s obvious that Ekitike will now spearhead it. The recent improvements suggests Slot is beginning to stabilize a side that looked bereft of direction and belief just weeks ago, but there's a long way to go.Isak’s injury will prove a defining moment on that journey.