Thomas Frank defends Micky van de Ven after Alexander Isak injury | OneFootball

Thomas Frank has defended Micky van de Ven after the Tottenham defender’s tackle left Alexander Isak injured during Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Anfield on Saturday.

“I just tried to block the shot,” Van de Ven told Sky Sports. “Unfortunately, his foot slipped between my legs. I sent him a message to wish him well and he replied. I hope to see him back on the pitch very soon.”

Frank said he saw nothing abnormal in the challenge, which came as Isak opened the scoring, and he rejected Arne Slot’s description of it as dangerous.

He argued the defender was sprinting back in transition, the ball shifted to the side and Van de Ven did everything possible to make a block. He added that Isak’s foot landed where the tackle arrived, which worsened the outcome, and that such reactions are natural for defenders.

The Dane praised Van de Ven’s fair and competitive mentality and said he had never seen him make a dangerous tackle. Isak, the most expensive signing in Premier League history at 150 million euros, is expected to be sidelined for months.

Source: L'Équipe