Arne Slot unhappy with Micky van de Ven after Alexander Isak injury: ‘A reckless challenge’

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot accused Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven of causing a serious injury with his “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.

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Isak was injured while scoring just his third goal for Liverpool (Getty Images)

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 was disappointed with the nature of Van de Ven’s lunge and accused his compatriot of causing a “serious injury” with dangerous play.

Isak’s injury adds to Liverpool’s list of absences as they enter the festive period and a home match against Wolves on Saturday. Slot will also be without Mohamed Salah, who is at the Africa Cup of Nations, and the suspended Dominik Szoboszlai, while Conor Bradley and Cody Gakpo were described as “50-50”.

Isak has endured a stop-start first season at Liverpool since joining the Reds from Newcastle on deadline day and the club had to be patient while he worked on his fitness having missed pre-season training. And Slot was angered that the Sweden international’s latest setback came as he was getting closer to his best form.

“For me it was a reckless challenge,” 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.

“It's going to be a long injury - a couple of months. A big, big disappointment for him and for us.”