Liverpool’s head coach accused the Tottenham defender of causing a ‘serious’ injury
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot accused Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven of making a “reckless challenge” on Alexander Isak after the striker was ruled out for a “couple of months” with a broken leg.
Isak has undergone surgery on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture and is set to be sidelined for the foreseeable future. The £125m signing suffered the injury as he scored the opening goal against Tottenham on Saturday, as Van de Ven dived into the tackle in an attempt to make a block in the penalty area.
Van de Ven was not punished for the tackle, unlike Tottenham midfielder Xavi Simons - who was sent off in the first half after catching Virgil van Dijk on the calf with his studs. Afterwards, Slot accepted that Simons’ tackle was accidental - but, speaking on Tuesday, the Dutch coach said he disappointed with the nature of Van de Ven’s lunge.
“For me it was a reckless challenge [on Isak],” Slot said. “I spoke a lot about the challenge from Xavi Simons which was completely unintentional. I don't think you'll ever get an injury from that tackle. The tackle of Van de Ven if you make it ten times, I think ten times there is a serious chance a player gets a serious injury.”
On Isak’s injury, Slot confirmed: “It's going to be a long injury - a couple of months. A big disappointment for him and for us."
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Category: General Sports
