Micky van de Ven’s erratic tackle fractured Alexander Isak’s leg.
Arne Slot has condemned Micky van de Ven’s “reckless” challenge that left Alexander Isak requiring surgery on a fractured fibula and damaged ankle. The Liverpool boss insists there’s a “10 out of 10 chance” that type of tackle causes serious injury, with the Sweden striker now sidelined for a couple of months after being caught by the Tottenham defender while scoring Saturday’s opener.
Isak underwent surgery on Monday following the incident during Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Tottenham. The £125 million record signing was injured as Van de Ven slid in attempting to block his shot, catching the striker’s planted leg and forcing him off, unable to celebrate his goal.
Arne Slot Micky van de Ven Isak
Arne Slot unhappy with Micky van de Ven’s challenge on Alexander Isak
The Liverpool manager pulled no punches when comparing Van de Ven’s unpunished tackle to Xavi Simons’ sending-off for raking studs down Virgil van Dijk’s calf. He said (h/t The Guardian):
“For me it was a reckless challenge. 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 that tackle 10 times, I think 10 times there is a serious chance that a player gets a serious injury.” The Tottenham defender escaped any punishment for the challenge, unlike teammates Simons and Cristian Romero who were both sent off during the fiery encounter.
Disjointed Start Gets Worse for Alexander Isak
The injury compounds a difficult beginning to life at Liverpool for Isak, who has scored just three goals in 16 appearances since his record-breaking summer move from Newcastle. A protracted transfer saga meant he arrived without proper pre-season training, well behind his teammates in fitness levels.
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He then missed five games from October to November with a groin injury and was only just finding form with goals against West Ham and Spurs. Slot said:
“He’s so unlucky that he’s now injured, because I think we all saw with this goal and his goal against West Ham that he gets closer and closer to the player he was last season at Newcastle.”
The 26-year-old’s absence leaves Liverpool severely stretched up front with Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations and Cody Gakpo not expected back from muscle injury until early January. Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa remain Slot’s only senior forwards, with the manager urging his available players to “roll their sleeves up” during the festive period.