Arne Slot picks his Alexander Isak replacement

Robin Bairner

5 Jan 2026 08:00 GMT
3 min read

Arne Slot, Alexander Isak, Liverpool, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has picked his replacement for injured striker Alexander Isak in a decision that is set to have a massive impact on the remainder of the Reds’ season.

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Isak sustained an injury in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Tottenham prior to Christmas, and while initial fears of an ACL rupture were rapidly ruled out, the Sweden international still faces a prolonged period on the sidelines after fracturing a fibula.

This problem had been tipped to force the Premier League champions back into the transfer market in January, with Slot eager for more firepower given that Hugo Ekitike is the only other recognised centre-forward at Anfield.

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Alexander Isak

F (C)

Liverpool

Alexander Isak

F (C)

Liverpool

ETV Range

€99.1M - €165.1M

But with Ekitike picking up a slight hamstring issue prior to Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Fulham, Slot was forced to improvise.

Instead of opting for Federico Chiesa going through the middle, Slot went with Cody Gakpo. In doing so, he showed his hand in terms of who he sees as his replacement for Isak, with Liverpool thought to be unlikely to dip into the market this month to replace the former Newcastle striker.

Cody Gakpo: Liverpool attacker showed promise

Gakpo gave a decent account of himself against Fulham and even seemed to have won the Reds when he scored in the 94th minute. He was subsequently replaced by Joe Gomez and moments later Fulham struck their equalising goal, albeit having been pushed back to the left with the introduction of Chiesa.

Although he only had 28 touches over the course of the game, he mustered five shots and had two more short-creating actions.

“As a forward player you always want to score goals to help the team so it's a plus for me. In the end it's a team sport and we didn't win so I'm still disappointed,” he told BBC Sport of his own display after the game.

Hugo Ekitike injury update

Liverpool’s transfer position could change should Ekitike continue to suffer with his hamstring concerns, though Slot has indicated that the Frenchman’s issue is not a serious one.

“Hugo travelled because he felt something during the training session, so he went for an MRI scan and we got the result when we were flying,” the Liverpool boss explained after the Fulham match.

“Why has this happened? Because Isak has been out, and since Alex is out, Hugo doesn't play 70 minutes or 60 minutes or sometimes gets a bit of rest.

“He has to play 80 or 90 minutes every single game for the first time in his life at Premier League level, for the first time in his life without a winter break, for the first time in his life at Champions League level. So not a surprise he then gets a bit tired.”

With Isak still weeks away from returning and Ekitike struggling to withstand the strain of so much football, expect to see Gakpo in the No.9 role a whole lot more in the weeks to come.