‘For certain now’ – Jamie Carragher makes Mohamed Salah transfer prediction after Liverpool lose Alexander Isak to leg fracture

Isak’s evening unravelled in a matter of seconds. The Sweden international came off the bench to open the scoring at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, showing a glimpse of the sharp instincts that persuaded Liverpool to break their transfer record to sign him from Newcastle in the summer. But his goal celebration never came. Instead, a collision with Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven left him stricken on the turf. Although Isak attempted to carry on, the damage was clear. He received treatment on the pitch before being helped off, and was later diagnosed with a major fracture that will sideline him for an extended period.

A club statement read: "Alexander Isak today successfully underwent surgery on the injury he sustained on Saturday. The Liverpool striker was injured in a challenge in the process of scoring the opening goal against Tottenham Hotspur and had to be substituted. After diagnosis, an operation was completed today on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture. Isak's rehabilitation will now continue at the AXA Training Centre, with no timeframe yet placed on his return."

Isak's strike against Tottenham was only his second goal of the season, and Carragher noted that it was perhaps the clearest indication yet of his true quality in a Liverpool shirt. However, given the injury to Isak, the former Reds defender is now convinced that Salah will remain at Anfield through January, despite persistent links with Saudi Arabian clubs. The Egypt forward recently accused the club of throwing him "under the bus" after losing his starting place, fuelling speculation about his future. Yet Carragher believes circumstances now dictate continuity.

"I think for certain now Mo Salah will be staying at the club," he said on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.

Carragher acknowledged that Liverpool may still look to add firepower, with reports linking them to Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo. The Liverpool icon suggested that Semenyo’s availability in January, due to a reported buyout clause, could offer "a good way around" the absence of Isak without sacrificing Salah. 

"Harvey Elliott, there's a good chance he would come back from Aston Villa on loan as well," he said. "And whether Liverpool go for a striker or another attacking player... for argument's sake, [Antoine] Semenyo. Liverpool have been heavily linked with [him] as well. I think we all know he's got a buyout close in January. Then you've got wide players as in Salah and [Cody] Gakpo who've played a lot of games through the middle as well."

Carragher also weighed in on the contentious challenge that led to Isak’s injury, offering a measure of sympathy for Van de Ven. 

"There's been a lot being made about a lot of the challenges in the game from Tottenham players and a lot of them weren't clever," Carragher said. "I've actually put myself in van de Ven's position there and that's a challenge I'd probably make. You've got to try and block it. It's just like sort of the follow-through. I don't know where else you know anybody thinks his foot's going to go. But he has to make that challenge. He can't let the striker just get a shot away there in that situation. It's just really bad luck for Isak. Probably one of the first glimpses we've seen of his real quality in the Liverpool shirt but, yeah, real big blow."

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While questions swirl around his club future, Salah has once again delivered for Egypt on the international stage. The 33-year-old shrugged off his Liverpool concerns to score a stoppage-time winner in Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations opener, sealing a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe. After Omar Marmoush had cancelled out the Warriors’ shock opener, Salah struck late to deliver the three points for the Pharaohs. The Africa Cup of Nations remains the one major honour missing from Salah’s glittering career, and this tournament carries added significance after the previous edition in Côte d’Ivoire ended early for him because of a hamstring injury. On that occasion, he faced criticism from former captain Ahmed Hassan for prioritising club commitments.

Liverpool now return to domestic action, facing a punishing festive schedule that will test their depth. Wolves visit Anfield on December 27 before Liverpool play another home fixture against Leeds United. The challenges intensify at the turn of the year, with trips looming against Fulham and Arsenal, followed by an FA Cup third-round tie with Barnsley. For Arne Slot, the task is clear but unenviable. With Isak sidelined and the pressure mounting, stability may trump ambition in January.