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Jamie Carragher disagrees with Arne Slot’s assessment of Micky van de Ven’s tackle on Alexander Isak in Tottenham’s defeat to Liverpool.
Tottenham Hotspur were on the receiving end of some harsh decisions during their 2-1 loss to Liverpool on Saturday.
Thomas Frank was particularly angered by the decision to allow Liverpool’s second goal to stand, even though Hugo Etikite had pushed Cristian Romero before heading the ball into the back of the net.
The Tottenham boss also felt that the red cards to Romero and Xavi Simons were undeserved, but it is another incident that has dominated the headlines over the last few days.
Jamie Carragher defends the tackle of Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven
Van de Ven was caught with Alexander Isak on the follow-through when the Dutchman slid into the block the forward’s shot, and the Swede suffered a fracture as a result.
Arne Slot has blasted Van de Ven for making a reckless tackle, and some pundits have called for the Tottenham defender to be retrospectively punished.
However, Carragher believes that the 24-year-old was well within his rights to try to block Isak’s shot.
The former Liverpool defender said on Sky Sports: ” There’s a lot been made about a lot of the challenges in the game from Tottenham players, and a lot of them weren’t clever. 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. It’s just really bad luck for Isak. It’s probably one of the first glimpses we’ve seen of his real quality in a Liverpool shirt.”
Van de Ven was not even attempting to tackle Isak
What is evident while watching the video is that Van de Ven had no intention of even tackling Isak and was simply trying to come across to block the shot.
It is ridiculous to argue for the use of excessive force when a player was not even attempting a tackle in the first place. Punishing Van de Ven retrospectively will set a dangerous precedent, as fans will call for the same standard to be applied to other blocks where a defender inadvertently catches a player.
Thomas Frank disagreed with Slot’s comments on Van de Ven on Tuesday, stating: “Obviously, I am disagreeing. In many ways, we are talking about a defender that will do everything to avoid conceding the goal.
“It is a transition so he is sprinting back in. There is a ball slid down in the side and he does everything he can to block that shot. Unfortunately, Alexander Isak has planted his foot straight there which makes it look worse than it is.
“That would be a natural reaction for any defender. Or, put it this way, if my defender does not do that, I do not think they are true defenders. I do not see that at all.
“I think reckless challenges, normally, you have not seen any from Micky, as I remember it. I see him as a very fair and competitive player. That is one thing. I also know the two players have sorted it out so that is a good sign.”
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