Liverpool manager Arne Slot has described Alexander Isak’s injury as the result of a ‘reckless challenge’, directing strong criticism at Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven following the incident that has ruled the striker out for several months.
Slot was emphatic in his assessment as he addressed the media ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League meeting with Wolves, insisting the nature of the tackle carried an obvious risk of serious harm.
Isak, who has Eritrean heritage, was injured in the act of scoring Liverpool’s opening goal against Tottenham on Saturday.
The forward suffered a broken leg after Van de Ven wrapped his legs around Isak’s left leg during a recovery challenge.
The Swedish international has since undergone surgery and is expected to be sidelined for between three and four months, dealing a major blow to Liverpool’s attacking options.
Slot confirmed the severity of the setback while contrasting the incident with other challenges he believes are often misjudged.
“Yeah, (Isak’s injury) was a reckless challenge. I’ve said a lot about the tackle of Xavi Simons, which for me was completely unintentional. I don’t think you will ever get an injury out of a tackle like that.
“But the tackle of (Micky) Van de Ven, if you make a tackle like that 10 times, 10 times there is a chance the player gets a serious injury.”
The injury comes at a time when Liverpool are enjoying a strong run of form. Victories over Inter Milan in the Champions League were followed by league wins against Brighton and Tottenham, building momentum under Slot in the early part of the season.
Despite those results, the loss of Isak, a player valued at £125 million, represents a significant challenge as Liverpool look to sustain their progress.
Attention now turns to the visit of Wolves, who sit bottom of the table and are still searching for their first league win of the campaign.
A positive result could lift Liverpool into the top four and above Chelsea, further underlining the importance of maintaining consistency during Isak’s absence.
