Thomas Frank hits back at Liverpool boss Arne Slot and shares Alexander Isak and Micky van de Ven talks
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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCLiverpool striker Alexander Isak is set to spend months on the sidelines after being left injured by a challenge by Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de VenTottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has revealed Alexander Isak and Micky van de Ven have "sorted it out" after the challenge that left the Liverpool striker facing months out with a fractured left leg. But Frank has disagreed vehemently with the claim from Reds counterpart Arne Slot the tackle was "reckless".Isak underwent surgery on Monday to repair an ankle injury that included a fractured fibula after scans revealed the extent of the damage sustained when caught heavily by Tottenham Hotspur defender Van de Ven while scoring the opener in the Reds' 2-1 away Premier League win on Saturday.The Sweden international is expected to sidelined for a couple of months, the latest setback of a difficult season since his controversial £125million British transfer record move from Newcastle United in September.READ MORE: Alexander Isak Liverpool injury timeline confirmed as Conor Bradley and Cody Gakpo updates givenREAD MORE: Jamie Carragher defends Micky van de Ven for Alexander Isak challenge as Liverpool boss hits outLiverpool head coach Arne Slot expressed his unhappiness with the challenge by Van de Ven when detailing on Tuesday morning the length of Isak's spell on the sidelines.But, speaking later in the day, Tottenham boss Frank has dismissed such suggestions and claimed any issue between the two players has now been addressed.“I am obviously disagreeing (with Slot) in many ways," he said.
"We are talking about a defender that will do everything he can to avoid the goal.“It is a transition, there is a ball down the side and he is doing everything he can to block the shot so he is sliding. Unfortunately Isak plants his foot so it makes it look worse than it is, but that is a natural action for a defender.“Put it this way, if my defender does not do that, they are not true defenders!“Reckless challenge?
He is very fair and I know the two players have sorted it out, so that’s a good sign.”Van de Ven avoided censure despite causing serious injury in his failed attempt to stop Isak from scoring in a game during which both Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero were sent off for Tottenham.For the latest Liverpool FC news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @LivEchoLFC - the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account - for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.We're also on FaceookLiverpoolEchoLFC - your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.Listen to our podcasts by searching for 'Blood Red' wherever you get your podcasts.Sign up for one of the Liverpool Echo's free daily and weekly newsletters on Liverpool by clicking here.