Slot hits out at 'reckless' challenge on Isak as striker out for months

ARNE SLOT has slammed the “reckless challenge” by Micky van de Ven he believes guaranteed Alexander Isak serious injury.

- By IAN DOYLE

Isak is expected to be sidelined for a number of months after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury that included a fractured fibula having been caught by Van de Ven in the process of scoring the opener in the 2-1 Premier League win at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

While Spurs had both Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero dismissed during a volatile match the former for catching Virgil van Dijk on the calf Van de Ven escaped censure.

And Liverpool boss Slot said yesterday: “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 Van de Ven, if you make a tackle like that 10 times, 10 times there is a serious chance the player gets a serious injury.”