Arne Slot has condemned the ‘reckless’ challenge by Micky van de Ven on Alexander Isak which left the Liverpool striker with a fractured leg.
Isak’s joy at scoring just his second Premier League goal this season was cut short on Sunday when he was injured by a sliding tackle by the Tottenham defender.
The club confirmed on Monday that the Sweden star had undergone surgery for “an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture”.
And speaking to press ahead of the Reds’ home clash with Wolves on December 27, the Liverpool coach was far from impressed with Van de Ven’s tackle.
Slot told reporters: “It’s going to be a long injury, for a couple of months. It’s a big disappointment for him and, as a result, for us.
“This was for me a reckless challenge. 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.”
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Carragher springs to Van de Ven’s defense
Legendary Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, however, had a different view on van de Ven’s challenge.
He told Sky Sports: “I’ve put myself in Van de Ven’s position and that’s a challenge I’d probably make.
“He’s trying to block it, it’s just the follow through.
“I don’t know where else anyone thinks his foot’s going to go. He has to make that challenge.
“You can’t let the striker just get a shot away there in that situation.”
Injury problems mount for Slot
The injury is a cruel blow for Isak, who, after a slow start to his LIverpool career following his controversial move from Newcastle, had finally begun to show signs of the form that persuaded the Reds to pay a record fee for his services.
It also leaves Slot short of attacking options.
Hugo Ekitike has been in superb form recently, but with Mohamed Salah on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt and Cody Gakpo struggling with an injury of his own, the Dutchman may turn to Federico Chiesa or talented teenager Rio Ngumoha.
Elsewhere, Conor Bradley is rated as ‘50-50’ after being substituted in the 2-1 win at Tottenham.
Slot added: “He is not training with us today or tomorrow. On Friday we will see where he exactly is and whether he can be in the squad for the weekend.
“Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo won’t be available and Cody Gakpo is similar to Conor.”
There was some good news for Slot on the injury front, however.
Isak’s replacement on Sunday, Jeremie Frimpong, will be fit to start, despite being substituted himself, and Florian Wirtz will be ‘OK’ despite suffering cramp in Sunday’s chaotic win.
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