Micky van de Ven calls Isak to apologise for leg-breaking tackle

Micky van de Ven has called Alexander Isak to apologise for the challenge that left him with a broken leg and had Arne Slot enraged.

The Sweden international damaged his left ankle and fractured his fibula when scoring Liverpool’s opening goal in their 2-1 win at Tottenham on Saturday; he was injured after Van de Ven slid in forcefully to block a shot.

Neither the match officials nor those overseeing the game on VAR deemed it necessary to look at the Netherlands international’s challenge but there was anger immediately within Liverpool’s camp after they had chance to see replays – and it has not subsided.

Isak underwent successful surgery on Monday and Slot is confident the £125million striker will be available again before the end of the campaign, providing his rehabilitation goes to plan, but that has not tempered the frustration he feels about the situation.

‘It was a reckless challenge,’ Slot insisted. ‘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. It is going to be a long injury for a couple of months. That’s a big, big disappointment for him and, as a result of that, also for us.’

Liverpool’s head coach was able to speak to Isak on Monday but he was at odds with Tottenham manager Thomas Frank 24 hours later; the Dane vehemently argued that Van de Ven – one of his most consistent performers – was not out of control.

Slot understood why Van de Ven was so desperate to shut down Isak’s route to goal – the Swede ended up scoring before his left leg was caught in a scissor movement – but the issue has been defused after a conversation between the pair on Tuesday.

‘If it is my player, you always want to see that he tries everything to prevent the other team scoring and that is what you saw as well,’ said Slot.

‘If he would have done nothing, everyone would have said “pfft, can you show a bit more effort!”

‘But, as I already said, there was a bigger chance you injure a player with this challenge.

'I spoke with Alex. Usually, if a player hears an opponent is that injured, that player usually sends a message or calls. I would think Micky will do the same.’