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Injury update: Isak to miss extended period
Liverpool forward Alexander Isak will be sidelined for several months following a leg fracture sustained during Sunday's 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, manager Arne Slot confirmed.
The Sweden international underwent surgery after colliding with Spurs defender Micky van de Ven while scoring in the match. Liverpool described the injury as an ankle issue involving a fibula fracture.
Slot criticizes Van de Ven's challenge
Slot labeled Van de Ven's sliding tackle as "reckless," asserting that repeated attempts at such a challenge would likely result in severe injuries. "If you make that tackle 10 times, I think 10 times there is a serious chance that a player gets a serious injury," he said.
Despite the criticism, Van de Ven avoided disciplinary action from match officials. Tottenham manager Thomas Frank defended his player, calling him "a very fair and competitive defender." Frank argued that Isak's planted foot made the incident appear worse than it was, adding that the two players had since resolved the matter privately.
Reactions split on tackle's severity
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher weighed in on the incident during *Monday Night Football*, stating that Van de Ven's challenge was one he "would probably make" himself. "He's trying to block it-it's just the follow-through," Carragher said. "I don't know where else anyone thinks his foot's going to go."
Carragher acknowledged the injury as a "huge blow" for Liverpool but emphasized that the tackle was a standard defensive play. Analysts noted that Isak's injury occurred when his shooting foot became trapped between Van de Ven's legs, rather than from direct contact with the defender's tackle.
Impact on Liverpool's attacking lineup
Isak's absence compounds Liverpool's offensive challenges, with Mohamed Salah also unavailable while representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. Slot confirmed that Cody Gakpo, recovering from a muscle injury, could return for Saturday's match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Jeremie Frimpong is available after recovering from a hamstring issue.
The manager ruled out recalling Harvey Elliott from his loan at Aston Villa, stating, "Harvey is an Aston Villa player and he is supposed to be going there for a season."
Isak's difficult start at Anfield
The injury marks another setback for Isak, who joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in a £125 million deal-the British transfer record-during the summer. The 26-year-old has struggled with form and fitness, scoring just three goals in 16 appearances for the Reds.
Slot acknowledged Isak's challenging transition, noting that the striker had not trained consistently for months before his transfer. "You join a new club and you are very excited. You want to show immediately all the qualities you have, but that was simply impossible," Slot said. "In this league, you need to be on top of your game to impact a game."
The manager remained optimistic about Isak's long-term role, citing his improving performances, including goals against West Ham United and Tottenham, as signs of progress.
Debate over tackle's intent and consequences
While opinions on Van de Ven's challenge vary, experts agree that the injury resulted from an unfortunate collision rather than malicious intent. The incident has reignited discussions about the risks of defensive plays, particularly when blocking shots.
A comparison was drawn to Luke Shaw's double leg fracture in 2015, sustained after a scissors tackle by PSV Eindhoven's Hector Moreno. Unlike Van de Ven's challenge, Moreno's tackle targeted Shaw's standing foot and would likely result in a red card under current VAR protocols.
"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."
Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports
