Liverpool are facing an anxious wait on the severity of Alexander Isak’s injury after potentially fracturing his leg in the win over Tottenham.
The Premier League’s most expensive player immediately limped off after scoring the opener in the Reds’ 2-1 victory to pile more pressure on Thomas Frank.
The early diagnoses look bleak for Isak, with reports suggesting he could be out for the majority of the season.
It’s particularly cruel for the striker, who had been playing catch-up with his fitness after missing the beginning of the campaign.
His injury could force Liverpool to venture back into the transfer market, despite their record £446million spend in the summer.
The Isak injury also comes in the wake of the Mo Salah fallout, with his Reds future uncertain beyond AFCON and the January transfer window.
Boss Arne Slot will need to weigh up his options, particularly in the race for a top-four finish.
Liverpool to step up Antoine Semenyo pursuit?
Liverpool have been heavily linked with Antoine Semenyo, and the latest injury set-back may further encourage their pursuit of the Bournemouth forward.
Semenyo has a £65million release clause which can be activated in the first two weeks of the January transfer window.
Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham are also thought to be interested, but reports claim Semenyo has already turned down a move to Spurs.
Semenyo would undoubtedly add depth and strengthen Liverpool’s front line.
However, his strongest position is from the left side, which means he won’t be considered a direct replacement for Isak or Salah.
The question is then raised as to whether Liverpool really needs Semenyo. Cody Gakpo, who has struggled with form, and Florian Wirtz can play on the left, while Ekitike can also fill the void.
It then runs the risks of becoming square pegs in round holes, leading to a lack of fluidity – something that Slot has already had to overcome this season.
Liverpool may turn to Franculino Dju
Midtjylland’s striker Franculino has been one of the most in-form strikers across Europe this season.
The 21-year-old has scored 16 goals in 17 appearances in the Danish top flight and three in five in the Europa League.
He’s a quick, dynamic forward who likes to take his opportunity when presented to him.
Reports suggest Midtjylland would accept a bid in the region of £25million for his signature, having signed him on a free transfer from Benfica in the summer of 2023.
That could represent a relatively risk-free investment in comparison to Liverpool’s grandeur, and Franculino would provide sufficient competition to Ekitike, who will now be Liverpool’s main man in attack.
Roma have been linked with Franculino, but the lure of Liverpool may prove too difficult a decision to turn down.
Keeping hold of Mo Salah
Salah’s chances of joining Saudi Arabia now appear unlikely given Isak’s injury.
The Egyptian was headed for the Liverpool exit door following his explosive interview before being left out of the matchday squad in the victory over Inter Milan.
He then returned to the squad and came off the bench in the following Premier League game, suggesting he had patched up any disagreements with Slot for the time being.
The risk with keeping Salah is the negative impact it could have on team morale, particularly if he makes it clear he wants to leave Anfield.
Just before jetting off to AFCON, he left another cryptic social media post, in which he shared his remarkable goalscoring achievements during his time at Liverpool.
If Salah does leave, Liverpool will not only be short of strikers but will also need a natural right winger. That may prove a risk too far, given the race for a Champions League finish.
