Liverpool have suffered many losses since the challenge of coach Arne Slot's second season at Anfield started. Information about the injury of Alexander Isak - the club's record contract - is just the latest development in that difficult run. This is clearly not the scenario Slot envisioned for his main striker.
Having only scored his second Premier League goal since moving from Newcastle United in a huge fee-paying deal last summer, Isak was injured after Micky van de Ven's tackle in the 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur. The Swedish striker immediately signaled for medical attention and could not continue playing.
The severity of the injury - described as " Pretty serious" - has not been disclosed in detail. However, the possibility of having to miss many months of playing will certainly make Isak's not-so-smooth start at Liverpool even more uncomfortable. In all competitions, this striker has only scored 3 goals after 16 appearances, a number that has not met expectations for a turning point contract.
issue related to fitness and form is therefore at risk of lasting into the new year, putting Liverpool in front of a big problem in the important period of the season.
The question now is how will Liverpool react? As the January transfer window approaches, what plans do Slot's side have to strengthen, and who will be directly affected by the Isak incident?
What does Isak's injury mean for Salah?
It is clear that Mohamed Salah still has a lot to do to redempt the trust. The assessment that his declining form needs an apology no less than the controversial statements after the match against Leeds United is completely reasonable.
In that context, Salah's departure for the AFCON may have come at the right time, when all the noise had a chance to subside and football's short-term memories began the process of forgiveness.
If Salah regains his top form in the Egyptian shirt in January and returns to Anfield with a spirit of complacency, not many people will object to his return to the starting lineup of Slot. The Dutch tactician has made it clear that no one has a permanent starting spot at Liverpool.
Salah's return to the team should therefore be viewed purely from the perspective of football expertise. There is no doubt that he can still play an important role for Liverpool, but the prerequisite is the understanding and consensus between the players and the coach.
In the near future, Isak's injury leaves Slot with little room to continue narrowing his attack options. Salah, in that context, is not a name to sell, if there were any speculations that he was on the list of liquidators in the January transfer window.
The moment he made a historic milestone when coming off the bench in the 2-0 win over Brighton could be seen as a symbolic farewell before Salah set off on international duty - ending the stormy period in a softer way.
Perhaps, a calmer and more Forgiving Salah will benefit all parties in the journey ahead, and first of all, for himself.
