View ImageThomas Frank, Tottenham Hotspur boss, disagrees with his Liverpool counterpart Arne Slot that Micky van de Ven’s challenge on Alexander Isak was reckless(Image: Harry Murphy/Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has revealed Alexander Isak and Micky van de Ven have “sorted it out” after the challenge that left the Liverpool striker facing months out with a fractured left leg. But Frank has disagreed vehemently with the claim from Reds counterpart Arne Slot the tackle was “reckless”.
Isak underwent surgery on Monday to repair an ankle injury that included a fractured fibula after scans revealed the extent of the damage sustained when caught heavily by Tottenham Hotspur defender Van de Ven while scoring the opener in the Reds’ 2-1 away Premier League win on Saturday.
The Sweden international is expected to sidelined for a couple of months, the latest setback of a difficult season since his controversial £125million British transfer record move from Newcastle United in September.
But, speaking later in the day, Tottenham boss Frank has dismissed such suggestions and claimed any issue between the two players has now been addressed.
“I am obviously disagreeing (with Slot) in many ways,” he said. “We are talking about a defender that will do everything he can to avoid the goal.
“It is a transition, there is a ball down the side and he is doing everything he can to block the shot so he is sliding. Unfortunately Isak plants his foot so it makes it look worse than it is, but that is a natural action for a defender.
“Put it this way, if my defender does not do that, they are not true defenders!
“Reckless challenge? I don’t think you see anything like that from Micky. He is very fair and I know the two players have sorted it out, so that’s a good sign.”
Van de Ven avoided censure despite causing serious injury in his failed attempt to stop Isak from scoring in a game during which both Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero were sent off for Tottenham.