Thomas Frank ‘disagrees’ with Arne Slot criticism on ‘reckless’ Micky van de Ven challenge after Alexander Isak confirmed out ‘for ‘couple of months’

Liverpool subsequently released a statement concerning the Swede’s injury on Tuesday, revealing the striker underwent surgery on his fractured left leg, and Slot criticised the Dutchman’s challenge.

Speaking ahead of the Christmas period and the club’s Premier League match at Crystal Palace, Frank called Van de Van’s challenge a “natural reaction”.

“Obviously I am disagreeing,” the Dane said. “In many ways, we are talking about a defender that will do everything to avoid (conceding) the goal. It’s a transition so he is sprinting back in.

“There’s a ball slid down in the side and he does everything he can to block that shot. Unfortunately, Isak has planted his foot straight there which makes it look worse than it is.”

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He continued: “That would be a natural reaction for any defender. Or, put it this way, if my defender doesn’t do that, I don’t think they are true defenders.

“I don’t see that at all. I think reckless challenges, normally, you haven’t seen any from Micky, as I remember it.

“I see him as a very fair and competitive player. That’s one thing. I also know the two players have sorted it out so that’s a good sign.”

Liverpool’s statement explained that no time frame had been set on the player’s return, but Slot has since revealed that the 26-year-old will be ruled out for two months in his pre-match press conference.

“The most injuries we have are not related to overloading,” said Slot on Tuesday.

“When you look at Alex’s injury, it has nothing to do with overloading the player. It’s the same with Wataru Endo.

“Of course, there are one or two that might have to do with overloading – Cody Gakpo has a muscle and the same with Joe Gomez.

“Yeah, (Isak’s injury) was a reckless challenge. I’ve said a lot about the tackle of Xavi Simons (on Virgil van Dijk), 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 (Micky) Van de Ven, if you make a tackle like that 10 times, 10 times there is a chance the player gets a serious injury.

“It’s going to be a long injury. A couple of months. That’s a big, big, big disappointment for him and also for us.”

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has had his say on the Alexander Isak injury

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The Reds boss also gave an update on Conor Bradley and Gakpo, who may feature on Saturday, but Gomez and Endo are both ruled out.

He explained: “Conor Bradley will be 50/50. He is not training with us today or tomorrow. On Friday we will see where he exactly is and whether he can be in the squad for the weekend.

“Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo won’t be available, and Cody Gakpo is similar to Conor.”

Meanwhile, Jeremie Frimpong’s start to life at Anfield has also been blighted by injuries. Slot will hope that the 25-year-old has turned a corner now, after coming off the bench in that win over Spurs last weekend.

“He was on a maximum of 30 minutes at the weekend as he’s been out quite a long time,” Slot added.

“He’s able to start this weekend, if I make that decision. Sometimes situations change, and you have to take more risks than if everyone is normally available.

“Everybody needs to roll their sleeves up to have best possible chance of a good outcome in the next two games.”

After Saturday’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Slot’s side begin 2026 with a New Year’s Day at home to Leeds United.

A trip to Craven Cottage follows on January 4, ahead of a mouth-watering showdown away at Arsenal on January 8.

Slot’s team will be hoping to establish themselves in the top four in the coming weeks, and currently sit fifth in the table heading into the weekend.