Arne Slot had a lot to say about the tackle that has ruled Alexander Isak out for several months.
Liverpool got the win against Tottenham at the weekend, but only just, with it coming at quite some cost too.
The Reds picked up a few injuries, but the biggest was Isak after suffering a fractured fibula after a late challenge from Micky van de Ven.
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The Swede still managed to put the ball in the back of the net, but that does not mean the challenge should have gone unpunished, with Slot very vocal about what he thought of it.
Jamie O’Hara has hit back at the Liverpool boss, though, with the former Spurs midfielder labelling his comments as ‘comical’.
Everyone will have their own opinion on the challenge van de Ven made, with some believing that it was poor from the defender, while others will say it was a clear attempt at winning the ball.
Slot did not think that, however, with the Dutchman branding the tackle as ‘reckless’ in his press conference ahead of Liverpool’s next game, something O’Hara has completely disagreed with.
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Slot saying Van de Ven’s tackle is reckless is comical, what do you want him to do, just say here you go Isak have a free shot,” he wrote on his X account.
“He slides to come across and stop the shot, ridiculous to say it’s reckless, it’s unfortunate he gets injured but what is he on about?”
What did you make of van de Ven’s tackle?
Arne Slot on Micky van de Ven's tackle
Arne Slot on Micky van de Ven’s tackle- USTIN TALLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
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Either way, this incident has fractured Isak’s fibula and caused damage to his ankle that has resulted in the Swede having to have surgery, meaning it will be quite some time before he is back on the pitch.
Thomas Frank has defended Micky van de Ven
As well as O’Hara, Jamie Carragher also defended van de Ven’s tackle, saying that he would have done exactly the same thing in that situation.
Van de Ven’s manager Thomas Frank has also backed his player, believing that it was all just unfortunate.
“I’m obviously disagreeing [with Slot] in many ways. We are talking about a defender in Micky van de Ven that will do everything he can to avoid the goal,” he said as per The Guardian.
“I’ll put it this way: if my defenders don’t do that, then I don’t think they are true defenders. So I don’t see that at all.”
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