How long Alexander Isak could be out based on Liverpool history
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Liverpool fans will be nervously watching the recovery timeline for their £125m signing, Alexander Isak.Since making the move from Newcastle over the summer, Isak hasn’t found his rhythm yet, with fitness and form both being ongoing issues.And now, he’s dealing with a leg fracture picked up against Tottenham, which is expected to keep him out of action for a significant period.The exact duration of his absence remains unclear. But looking at how many games the last Liverpool player missed with a similar injury could offer some clues about what to expect.Djibril Cisse was the last Liverpool player to break their fibulaPhoto by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesIt’s a rare injury in football, and Isak’s came from a late tackle by Micky van de Ven.
The last time it happened to a Liverpool player was nearly 20 years ago, when Djibril Cisse went down in the 2004/05 season.Cisse broke both his tibia and fibula against Blackburn after getting his foot stuck in the turf during a challenge with Jay McEveley.He was initially expected to miss the rest of the season but managed to return after 162 days, though he still missed 44 games across all competitions.Cisse picked up his injury in November and returned the following April. If Isak follows a similar timeline—and considering his injury is less severe—he could be back on the pitch sometime in May.There are concerns that Alexander Isak could follow the same path as Djibril CisseWhat is even more worrying about the injury to Cisse, is that he never managed to get back to his best, possibly due to it staying on his mind for years afterwards.Ally McCoist and Gabby Agbonlahor agreed at the time, saying they felt it could stick with him.In addition, Cisse broke his fibula again just two seasons later and missed another 39 games, highlighting how these types of injuries can linger throughout a player’s career.Liverpool fans will be hoping Isak avoids a similar fate and returns stronger than ever.
But as with most things in football, there are no guarantees. Join Our NewsletterReceive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox