Arne Slot fumes at 'reckless' Micky van de Ven after Alexander Isak undergoes surgery

• Spurs
• Tottenham Hotspur News
• Spurs

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has described Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven's tackle on Alexander Isak as 'reckless' after the Reds striker suffered a serious injury

Arne Slot has branded Micky van de Ven's challenge on Alexander Isak as "reckless", with the Liverpool forward now facing an extended period out of action. Isak had an operation following an MRI scan which revealed the full extent of his injury.

The striker had originally been named amongst the substitutes for Liverpool's encounter with Spurs on Saturday, but was introduced at half-time and found the net just 11 minutes after entering the fray.

Nevertheless, Van de Ven's tackle whilst attempting to prevent Isak from scoring resulted in the Liverpool forward requiring help to exit the pitch as he was withdrawn through injury.

It has subsequently been confirmed that Isak sustained an ankle problem with a fibula fracture and has since undergone surgery in recent days.

When questioned about Isak's setback during his most recent media briefing, the Liverpool boss offered his assessment of Van de Ven's challenge.

"It was for me a reckless challenge. Xavi Simons [tackle on Virgil van Dijk] was completely unintentional," Slot said. "I don't think you will ever get an injury out of a tackle like that.

"The tackle of Van de Ven, if you make that tackle 10 times then 10 times there's a serious chance a player could get a serious injury."

Slot's assessment follows former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher's explanation of why he believes Van de Ven's challenge on Isak didn't warrant a red card.

"I can't see that he's done anything that a footballer wouldn't," Gallagher stated during his latest appearance on Sky Sports Ref Watch. "I would be astonished if that was given as a red card anywhere on the field.

"Players mistime challenges all the time. He's slightly late... it's not a red card. Whether it be in the penalty area, in the D, the centre circle or the other half."

Thomas Frank's side were forced to finish the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool with just nine players after Xavi Simons was shown a red card for a tackle on Virgil van Dijk.

Cristian Romero was also sent off after picking up two yellow cards in the loss in North London.

Tottenham take on Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League and will be determined to return to winning ways when they travel to Selhurst Park.