Ex-Liverpool striker 'blames' Alexander Isak for leg break in ridiculous injury assessment

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Alexander Isak faces a lengthy lay-off after breaking his leg against Tottenham, but despite the discussion around Micky van de Ven's challenge, one former Liverpool striker has pinned the blame on Isak

Alexander Isak faces a long lay-off after breaking his leg against Tottenham(Image: Getty Images)

Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders has bizarrely blamed Alexander Isak for the broken he leg he suffered against Tottenham last weekend.

The Reds’ striker faces a long lay-off after he was clattered by Spurs defender Micky van de Ven in the process of scoring the opener in Liverpool’s 2-1 victory in north London. The club confirmed earlier this week that he had to undergo surgery on a fractured fibula and ankle injury.

Arne Slot has raised hopes that Isak may be able to return before the end of the season, although he will face at least two or three months out now as a result.

There has been plenty of discussion about the challenge which led to Isak’s injury. Slot was clearly unhappy with Van de Ven’s tackle, which he deemed to be “reckless”, but former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is among those to have defended the Netherlands international.

Now, another former Red has given his opinion, with Saunders - who scored 23 goals in his sole season at the club during the 1991/92 campaign - strangely pinning the blame on Isak.

“Isak is in a different league,” Saunders began while speaking on talkSPORT. “He can outrun you, run in behind without the ball and he scores goals out of nothing. He can turn a clearance into a goal.

Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders has bizarrely blamed Alexander Isak for the injury he picked up against Tottenham(Image: Athena Pictures/Getty)

“Just because he hasn't done that well at Liverpool, he is a top class player.

“I have listened to everyone talking about that challenge. When you are a striker, and you get that shot off, you have to get your foot off the ground.

“You can't plant your standing foot when you know a defender is coming in with a last-ditch challenge. If you don't get your standing foot off the ground when you strike the ball, you are going to break your leg.

“You learn as a striker to get out of the way of those tackles and he knew it was coming. I blame Isak a bit for not getting out of the way.”

Saunders’ opinion is certainly not shared by Slot, who felt that the blame should be laid at Van de Ven’s feet.

“For me, this was a reckless challenge,” Slot said. “I think I've said a lot about the tackle of Xavi Simons, which for me was completely unintentional, and 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, I think 10 times there is a serious chance that the player gets a serious injury.”