While Liverpool secured a vital 2-1 win over Tottenham in North London this weekend, the victory has been overshadowed by a devastating injury to record-signing Alexander Isak.

The Swedish international, who arrived at Anfield for a staggering £125 million in the summer scored the opening goal for Liverpool in the 56th minute.

However, the goal came at a massive cost. Following a heavy challenge from Micky van de Ven, Isak was seen clutching his lower leg in visible agony and had to be assisted off the pitch by medical staff.

With the attacking options at Arne Slot’s disposal already stretched thin, this blow could fundamentally shift the trajectory of Liverpool’s season and open the door for one forgotten star to finally reclaim the spotlight.

Alexander Isak to be sidelined for months

The gravity of the situation has been confirmed by The Athletic’s David Ornstein. Taking to X, Ornstein provided a worrying injury update:

“Alexander Isak set for period on sidelines with suspected leg break from challenge in Liverpool win at Spurs. #LFC yet to comment on severity but scans poised to confirm fears of fracture to left side; recovery time typically a few months.”

? Alexander Isak set for period on sidelines with suspected leg break from challenge in Liverpool win at Spurs. #LFC yet to comment on severity but scans poised to confirm fears of fracture to left side; recovery time typically a few months @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/nx5WAMrgRH

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) December 21, 2025

While the club is officially awaiting final scan results, the “suspected leg break” terminology suggests Isak will not return until well into the spring of 2026.

For a player who was just beginning to find his feet at Anfield, the timing, occurring exactly as he scored his second Premier League goal, is nothing short of cruel.

Isak’s injury an opportunity for Federico Chiesa

The crisis at Liverpool has worsened with this update. Arne Slot is currently navigating a perfect storm of absences in the forward line:

• Mohamed Salah: Currently on international duty with Egypt for AFCON.
• Cody Gakpo: Sidelined with a muscular injury until at least early January.
• Alexander Isak: Facing a multi-month layoff with a fractured leg.

With Hugo Ekitike as the only other recognised senior striker, Slot has reached a point where he can no longer afford to leave Federico Chiesa on the bench.

Despite being voted the September Player of the Month by fans, the Italian winger has largely been used as an “impact sub” throughout the 2025/26 campaign.

Chiesa has consistently delivered when called upon, notably providing two assists in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton and scoring a crucial goal against Crystal Palace, yet a consistent run of starts has remained elusive.

Now, with the options thin for Slot, the manager could finally turn to Chiesa to fill the void on the flanks.

Time for Chiesa to prove Slot wrong

Federico Chiesa’s 2025/26 season has been a masterclass in professional patience. While many players would have grown frustrated with a lack of starting minutes, Chiesa has let his football do the talking.

Fans have been vocal about his infectious energy and clutch ability, often questioning why Slot has prioritised other options when Chiesa looks like the most dangerous player on the pitch.

The Isak injury, while tragic, could serve as the ultimate moment for the former Juventus man.

If Chiesa can translate his substitute impact into a run of starting performances, he could potentially give Slot something to think about.

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Manchester Untied manager Ruben Amorim has shared a worrying update on captain Bruno Fernandes’ injury. 

United lost 2-1 to an in-form Aston Villa side, courtesy of two brilliant goals from Morgan Rogers.

Rogers gave Villa the lead with a great solo goal in the 45th minute of the game. But the lead did not last long as Cunha capitalised on a mistake from the Villa defence and equalised just before the half-time whistle.

However, Rogers scored his second goal of the game 12 minutes into the second half, finishing expertly into the top right corner to make it 2-1.

His second goal ended up being the winning goal as Villa as Unai Emery’s side secured their 10th consecutive win across al competitions.

Blow for Manchester United: Bruno Fernandes picks up injury

To add further misery to Man United, Bruno Fernandes picked up an injury in the second half.

Manager Ruben Amorim gave an update on the Portuguese’s injury and it was a worrying one.

He told Sky Sports: “It is really strange. During this year, especially at this time, we have so many problems, but we have to cope with that.

“I think Fletcher did his first game, so that is good news, Lacey the same, so we will try to find solutions and go for the next game.

“I am a manager for six years and even Sporting is all about the academy, so it’s about the history.

“Every manager wants to bring players through from the academy and not spend money because this gives value to the manager.

“I just want to win and want to be certain that the players that come in from the academy are not going to suffer too much.

“I’m just trying to help the club, it doesn’t matter if it’s from the academy or abroad.

“I think it’s soft tissue [Fernandes injury] so it’s going to be a while. We’ll see.”

Fernandes is crucial for Man United

Losing Fernandes for any significant period would be a catastrophic blow for Manchester United, particularly given the captain’s scintillating form during the 2025/26 campaign.

The 31-year-old has arguably been in the form of his life, functioning as the creative engine of Amorim’s side.

Before the Villa clash, Fernandes had already racked up 5 goals and 7 assists in just 16 Premier League appearances this season.

His influence was on full display in the recent 4-4 thriller against Bournemouth, where he received an 8.8 match rating for a dominant playmaking performance.

He currently leads the squad in chances created and key passes, underlining his status as the team’s indispensable architect.

With tough fixtures on the horizon, Amorim will now face the daunting task of replacing a player who has contributed to nearly a third of United’s league goals this term.

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Leicester City manager Marti Cifuentes has firmly shut down speculation linking the Foxes with a January move for Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.

Despite recent reports suggesting the club was looking to upgrade their goalkeeping options, the Spaniard has voiced his unequivocal support for current number one Jakub Stolarczyk, insisting he is “extremely happy” with his squad’s current options between the sticks.

Speaking ahead of the upcoming fixtures, Cifuentes addressed the growing rumors that Leicester were preparing a bid for Sunderland’s highly-rated shot-stopper Anthony Patterson.

The speculation had intensified following a high-profile error in Leicester’s recent build-up play, but the manager was quick to defend his philosophy and his players.

“I’m not upset that we tried to do something that has worked really well on many occasions,” Cifuentes stated, referring to the team’s commitment to playing out from the back.

“Sometimes when we build an identity, the way we want to play, we have to work out if we fail, how we want to fail. That’s part of the growth as a team.”

The Foxes boss emphasised that mistakes are a collective responsibility, absolving Stolarczyk of sole blame for the recent mishap involving midfielder Oliver Skipp.

“It’s not just about the decision-making of Jakub, but also the small movements of Skippy in that case,” he explained.

“If it goes wrong, that’s on me because that’s the way I ask them to play. There are no regrets.”

By publicly backing his current group, Cifuentes has effectively signaled that a new goalkeeper is not on his January shopping list.

Stolarczyk’s stats prove he is among Championship’s best

While the recent error may have grabbed headlines, the broader data paints a picture of a goalkeeper enjoying a stellar campaign. Jakub Stolarczyk’s shot-stopping statistics this season suggest he has been one of the standout performers in the Championship.

The Polish youth international has been instrumental in Leicester’s defensive resilience, with data showing that the number of chances conceded from building out of the back is significantly lower than the attacking value generated by the tactic.

Cifuentes highlighted this analytical perspective, noting, “The number of chances and number of goals we have conceded by building up in zone one is much lower than what we’ve achieved in terms of chances created and expected goals.”

Stolarczyk’s ability to make crucial saves and command his area has kept Leicester competitive in their push for a return to the Premier League.

With his manager’s full confidence and the statistics to back up his performances, Stolarczyk looks set to remain the undisputed number one at the King Power Stadium for the foreseeable future.

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A host of Europe’s elite clubs, including Chelsea and Liverpool, have intensified their pursuit of Leicester City’s teenage sensation Jeremy Monga.

The 16-year-old winger has emerged as one of the most coveted prospects in English football, sparking a potential bidding war that could be decided as early as the New Year.

According to an exclusive report from TEAMtalk, Chelsea have been “pushing very strongly” in recent weeks to secure Monga’s signature.

Spurs see the youngster as a future cornerstone of their attack, but they face fierce competition.

The report confirms that Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Newcastle United have all formally “laid out their plans” to the Coventry-born forward.

The interest extends far beyond the Premier League. As per the report, representatives from Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund have already held conversations with Monga’s camp.

However, a move abroad comes with complications; due to FIFA regulations regarding minors, Monga would theoretically have to wait until he turns 18 in 2027 to complete a transfer to a foreign club.

Consequently, a stay in England appears more feasible in the immediate future, with sources indicating that the player is likely to make his final decision on his next step in early 2026.

Who is Jeremy Monga? The Championship’s breakout star

Jeremy Monga has enjoyed a meteoric rise since bursting onto the scene at the King Power Stadium.

Born in July 2009, the tricky winger etched his name into the history books last season when he made his senior debut at just 15 years old, becoming the second-youngest player in Premier League history behind Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri.

Now plying his trade in the Championship following Leicester’s relegation, Monga has begun to establish himself as a genuine first-team option.

Known for his electric pace, close control, and ability to operate on either flank, he has drawn comparisons to elite dribblers for his fearlessness in one-on-one situations.

Despite his tender age, his performances for England at youth levels (U15, U16, and U19) and his seamless adaptation to senior football have convinced scouts across the continent that he is a generational talent worth a significant investment.

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