Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has spoken to Alexander Isak after the challenge that injured the Liverpool striker
Micky van de Ven has revealed the details of his apology to Alexander Isak after the challenge that left the Liverpool striker with a broken leg. Isak underwent surgery on Monday to repair an ankle injury that included a fractured left fibula having been caught by a heavy late challenge from Tottenham defender Van de Ven in the process of scoring the opener in the Reds' 2-1 Premier League win in London at the weekend.
Claims from Liverpool boss Arne Slot the tackle was "reckless" were dismissed by Tottenham counterpart Thomas Frank on Tuesday afternoon.
And Van de Ven has now explained the exchange he had with Isak after the extent of the injury emerged and is adamant he didn't mean to harm the Sweden international.
"Yeah, I've texted him, of course," said Van de Ven to Sky Sports. "I sent him a text because I didn't want to injure him.
"I didn't want to do something to hurt him, of course. I just wanted to try to block the shot.
"And I think it was a bit unlucky how his foot landed between my legs. So yeah, I sent him a text afterwards, and I wanted to wish him all the best for his recovery. That's what I said to him.
"He really appreciated the message. He texted back."
Isak is now facing a number of months on the sidelines after the latest setback of a difficult season following his British record £125million transfer from Newcastle United at the start of September.
Spurs boss Frank had said yesterday: “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? I don’t think you see anything like that from Micky. He is very fair and I know the two players have sorted it out, so that’s a good sign.”