Jamie Carragher defends Micky van de Ven for Alexander Isak challenge as Liverpool boss hits out

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But he admits the striker's absence is a "huge blow" for his former club Liverpool.Isak was injured in the act of scoring Liverpool's opening goal at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday with Van de Ven wrapping his legs around the Swede's left leg. It was then confirmed on Monday night that Isak had suffered a leg fracture.And ex-Reds defender Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports: "It's a huge blow because I think Liverpool were actually one attacker short anyway.READ MORE: Alexander Isak Liverpool injury timeline confirmed as Conor Bradley and Cody Gakpo updates given"There's a lot been made about a lot of the challenges in the game from Tottenham players and a lot of them weren't clever.

I've put myself in Van de Ven's position and that's a challenge I'd probably make."He's trying to block it, it's just the follow through. I don't know where else anyone thinks his foot's going to go."He has to make that challenge.

"I think there's a good chance Harvey Elliott will come back from Aston Villa as well."Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield and Carragher added: "I think we all know he's got a buy-out clause in January, and then you've got wide players in Salah and (Cody) Gakpo, who've played a lot of games through the middle as well."They won't go out and buy a striker who they don't really want."Slot was not drawn on the prospect of transfers at his press conference on Tuesday morning, where he confirmed that Isak is facing months on the sidelines.He also criticised Van de Ven's challenge, branding it "reckless". The Reds boss said: "Yeah, (Isak's injury) was a reckless challenge."I've said a lot about the tackle of Xavi Simons, which for me was completely unintentional.