Liverpool’s Arne Slot delivers blunt assessment of Micky van de Ven’s foul on Alexander Isak amid long-term injury

Although Liverpool fell into a slump, they have managed to bounce back in recent matches and achieve three consecutive wins. Along with the defensive improvement, the Reds have taken a step forward offensively, thanks to Hugo Ekitike’s impressive goal-scoring ability. However, Alexander Isaac is not having the best start in the team, with poor performances and a serious injury. Arne Slot was quite forceful towards Tottenham Hotspur star Micky van de Ven.

In Liverpool’s recent victory over Tottenham Hotspur, Alexander Isak opened the scoring, suggesting a return to his top form. However, in the 57th minute, Micky van de Ven made a strong tackle on the Swedish attacker, resulting in a broken fibula forcing Isak out of the game. He underwent surgery on Monday, December 22 and will be sidelined for a number of months, leaving the Reds without a replacement.

At the last press conference, coach Arne Slot was quite blunt about Micky van de Ven’s foul in the last match. “I’ve talked a lot about Xavi Simons’ challenge, which was completely unintentional. I don’t think you’ll ever get an injury from that tackle.” Van de Ven’s tackle if you make it ten times, I think there is a serious chance that a player will sustain a serious injury ten times. It will be a long-term injury, a few months.”

Unlike Xavi Simons’ foul on Virgil van Dijk, which earned him a straight red card, Van de Ven did not even receive a yellow cardwhich led to outrage among Arne Slot and Liverpool fans. Although the Reds achieved a win that moved them up to fifth in the Premier League, they suffered a significant setback that could jeopardize the team’s season goalsas the Swede represents a star signing worth €150 million and the Mohamed Salah drama continues.

Arne Slot gets realistic about Alexander Isak’s place in Liverpool’s plans

Alexander Isak, a key figure in Liverpool’s rebuild, joined the team as the new starting striker after an eye-catching performance in the Premier League, with a huge lead over Hugo Ekitike. Still, he scored only 3 goals in 16 games, losing the starting spot to the Frenchman. In addition to his injury, his poor performances led to doubts about his continuity in the team, to which Arne Slot decided to respond with complete clarity.

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“Yes, the last thing I am. And the first, It has been a very challenging and difficult period for himI think… Maybe no one understands it, but when you haven’t trained at a serious level with the team for three or four months and you play in this league. That, as we all knew, took months before we could get him there because there was no preseason… He was getting closer and closer to the player he was at Newcastle,” Arne Slot said this at the press conference.

Far from his injury being his last chance, Alexander Isak remains one of Liverpool’s most promising players. Focusing on the future of the team, the Swede promises to lead the new era together with Ekitike. With this, his possible departure in June or July 2026 is completely ruled out as he focuses on proving his worth in the teamenjoying Arne Slot’s trust.