Liverpool Echo

Ex-PGMOL chief says Richarlison could have been sent off for what he did against Liverpool

Keith Hackett believes Tottenham Hotspur goalscorer Richarlison could have been shown a red card after he halved his team's deficit against Liverpool on Saturday

Richarlison was fortunate not to be the third Tottenham Hotspur player sent off in Saturday's incident-packed clash with Liverpool. That's according to a former PGMOL chief.

Ex-Everton hero Richarlison halved the Tottenham deficit in the 83rd minute when he fired home from close range.

That set up a frantic finish in which Spurs, who were down to 10 men after a first-half red card for Xavi Simons and who would later see Cristian Romero given his marching orders, laid siege to the Liverpool goal.

But the Reds managed to hold on with strikes from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike earlier in the half ultimately ensuring a third straight win in all competitions. However, Richarlison should not have been on the pitch to lead the late charge.

That's the view of one time PGMOL boss Keith Hackett, who says the Brazilian could have joined Simons in the dressing room for what he did immediately after scoring his fifth Premier League goal against Liverpool.

The 28-year-old ran to get the ball out of the net but fell on top of Ekitike, who had slipped trying to kick the ball away.

Richarlison then put his hand on the back of the Reds forward's neck before rushing out of the box, where he was confronted by Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong. Szoboszlai was subsequently shown a yellow card, meaning he will miss this weekend's home clash with Wolves.

But Hackett says Richarlison could have seen red. "There is no doubt that Richarlison is a competitive individual and certainly one that a referee needs to keep his eye on," he told Football Insider.

"In this particular situation, we see Richarlison with his hand on the neck of his opponent as he is getting up off the ground. There's a little pressure.

"Could easily have been a red card but was completely missed by officials, ignored by VAR and as a result, nothing happens.

"It could have been a red card mister Richarlison. Behave yourself."

Simons was dismissed on 33 minutes for a foul on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk after referee John Brooks was invited by VAR to consult his pitchside monitor after initially awarding a yellow card.

Romero, who had earlier been booked, was dismissed for a second yellow during additional time after a tangle on the floor with Ibrahima Konate after being fouled by Van Dijk's centre-back partner.

Reds head coach Arne Slot also felt Romero's centre-partner Micky van de Ven could have been sent off for his challenge on Isak when opening the scoring.

The challenge led to the £125m striker sustaining a serious leg injury that will rule him out for at least two months.

Slot 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. I don't think you will ever get an injury out of a tackle like that.

"But the tackle of Van de Ven, if you make a tackle like that 10 times, 10 times there is a serious chance the player gets a serious injury."

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank said: "I am obviously disagreeing (with Slot) in many ways. 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."

Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has endured a torrid few months since his move to Anfield

Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has broken his silence after suffering a disappointing injury setback in the Reds' win over Tottenham Hotspur.

The Swedish international fractured his leg following a challenge from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven and has had to have surgery on an "ankle injury that included a fibula fracture."

The 26-year-old came off the bench and scored for Liverpool at Tottenham on Saturday but had to be taken off just a few moments after finding the back of the net.

Isak was in clear discomfort as he hobbled off the pitch and is now set for a spell on the sidelines.

Taking to Instagram, the striker said: "Gutted to be out for a while. Time to recover and support from the sideline.

"I will work hard to be back as soon as I possibly can. Thank you all reds and everyone else for the kind messages, it does not go unnoticed [red heart emoji] #YNWA."

The Swedish international has endured a difficult period since moving to Anfield from Newcastle United, missing the Magpies' pre-season with a minor thigh injury and then didn't train with Eddie Howe's side in order to force through a move.

Isak has scored just two goals and notched one assist in 10 Premier League appearances this season, scoring one more goal in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton, but has failed to find the back of the net in the Champions League.

The British record signing has struggled with his fitness and this is another huge setback, with former Reds defender Jamie Carragher highlighting his bad luck on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.

"It's a huge blow because I think Liverpool were actually one attacker short anyway," Carragher said.

"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 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. You can't let the striker just get a shot away in that situation.

Liverpool 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 Ven

Tottenham 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.

Liverpool 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? 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.”

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.

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Liverpool confirmed on Monday night that Alexander Isak fractured his ankle during Saturday’s victory over Tottenham and has undergone surgery

Hugo Ekitike has told Alexander Isak to "stay strong" as the Liverpool forward prepares for a spell on the sidelines. Isak will be out for a "couple of months" after undergoing an operation on Monday afternoon after sustaining a broken leg in the 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

The striker was hurt in a challenge from Micky van de Ven in the act of scoring his side's opening goal of the game. Isak had to be helped from the field of play by two members of the Liverpool medical team and an MRI scan showed he sustained damage to his ankle and a fractured fibula.

And taking to Instagram, Ekitike shared a picture of himself playing alongside Isak, captioning it with the message: "Stay strong brother. Speedy recovery inshallah."

Speaking on Tuesday morning, Reds boss Arne Slot has criticised Van de Ven for the 'reckless challenge' he made on Isak. He said: "It's going to be a long injury, for a couple of months.

"It's a big disappointment for him and, as a result, for us. This was, for me, a reckless challenge. I've said a lot about the tackle of Xavi Simons [who was sent off dragging his studs down the calf of 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 Van de Ven, if you make a tackle like that 10 times, 10 times there is a serious chance the player gets a serious injury."

Isak has made 16 appearances since his £125million British-record move from Newcastle on deadline day, and Slot admitted: "It's been a really challenging and difficult period for him.

"Usually when you join a new club - he was very excited as well - you want to show all the qualities you have but that was simply impossible.

"Maybe no-one understands but if you haven't trained on a serious level for three or four months with the team and you are playing in this league you have to be on top of your game to impact a game of football.

"That took - which we all knew - months because there was no pre-season, just games, games, games and hardly any time to train.

"We all knew it would take him time and that's why he is so unlucky he is now injured because we all saw with his goal against West Ham and with this goal [against Tottenham] he gets closer and closer to the player he was last season at Newcastle."

Arne Slot has branded the challenge by Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven on Liverpool striker Alexander Isak as "reckless"

Arne Slot has slammed the "reckless challenge" by Micky van de Ven he believes guaranteed Alexander Isak serious injury at the weekend. Isak is expected to be sidelined for a number of months after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury that included a fractured fibula having been caught by Van de Ven in the process of scoring the opener in the 2-1 Premier League win at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening.

While Tottenham had both Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero dismissed during a volatile match - the former for catching Virgil van Dijk on the calf - Van de Ven escaped censure from the match officials.

And Liverpool boss Slot said on Tuesday: "Yeah, (Isak's injury) was a reckless challenge.

OPINION

"I've said a lot about the tackle of Xavi Simons, 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 Van de Ven, if you make a tackle like that 10 times, 10 times there is a serious chance the player gets a serious injury."

Isak's goal was only his second in the Premier League since arriving for a British record £125million from Newcastle United on deadline day in September, with the Sweden international having struggled with form and fitness having been forced to train alone during pre-season before moving to Anfield.

And Slot said: "It has been a really challenging and difficult period for him. He joined a new club, he was very excited and you want to show immediately all the qualities that you have.

“But that was simply impossible. Maybe no-one understands but if you have not trained for three or four months on a serious level with the team and you are playing in this league when you need to be on top of your game to impact a game of football and that took, as we all knew, months before we could bring him there because there was no pre-season just games, games, games and no time to train.

"We always knew it would take him time and that is why he is so unlucky that he is now injured because we all saw with his goal at West Ham, with this goal, that he got closer and closer to the player he was last season at Newcastle.”

Liverpool return to action at home to rock-bottom Wolves on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

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Alexander Isak is set to be sidelined for a number of months after it was discovered he suffered a leg fracture in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur. And the Liverpool striker has already undergone surgery in an effort to correct the issue after an MRI scan on Sunday.

The Sweden international picked up the problem when he was caught by Micky van den Ven when opening the scoring in Saturday's win in North London. Isak, who had only been on the pitch for 11 minutes as a second-half substitute, was immediately withdrawn for Jeremie Frimpong and was helped off the pitch by Dr Jonathan Power and Chris Morgan, two members of the club's medical team.

A scan took place on Sunday; then, after diagnosis, an operation was completed on Monday on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture.

Liverpool are placing no timescale on the recovery process for the £125m striker, but it’s understood Isak is expected to be absent for at least a number of months.

The update will come as a major blow for Arne Slot and his squad as they aim to build on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions that has taken them up to fifth in the Premier League ahead of a visit from rock-bottom Wolves on December 27.

Slot is due to speak to the media on Tuesday morning to preview that game and will be able to offer a more fulsome update on Isak.

Isak arrived at Anfield on September 1, having had no real pre-season schedule due to the protracted and acrimonious nature of his British-record switch from Newcastle United.

After an individually tailored programme was designed to get him up to speed, the 26-year-old was then absent for a month with a groin injury picked up in the 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.

“It’s a huge blow because I think Liverpool were one attacker short anyway really when you look at the makeup of the squad,” Reds legend Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports on Monday

“There’s been a lot made of the challenges from Tottenham in the game and a lot of them weren’t clever. I’ve put myself in Van de Ven’s position there and that’s probably a challenge I’d make.

“You’ve got to try and block it, it’s just sort of the follow through, I don’t know where else anyone thinks his foot is going to go but he has to make that challenge. He can’t just let the striker get the shot away there in that situation. It’s just really bad luck for Isak.

“That’s one of the first real glimpses we’ve seen of his real quality in a Liverpool shirt, but yeah, it’s a real big blow.”

Liverpool will soon discover the extent of damage done to Alexander Isak done during Saturday's 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur. The striker was forced off injured immediately after opening the scoring in north London with the Reds fearing the worst.

Isak scored just his second Premier League goal since his £125m summer deadline day transfer when he was clattered by Spurs defender Micky van de Ven. The Liverpool striker required instant treatment and help from medical staff in making his way off the field.

Scans on Monday are set to determine the exact damage dealt from the reckless challenge, with club fearful their No.9 is in line for a lengthy lay-off, but hopeful he has avoided a knee issue.

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The first part of John Aldridge's ECHO column assesses Saturday's 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur

It was another step in the right direction for Liverpool on Saturday as they made it six games unbeaten with a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur. That might be the main takeaway from another positive result for Arne Slot but you have to say the final few minutes bordered on comical at times.

Look, it's three points, Arne Slot and his players are up to fifth and closing in on the top four with two very winnable games against Wolves and Leeds at home next, but it was concerning how little they were able to dominate, despite playing so long against 10 and then against nine.

It happened at Newcastle back in August too. When Anthony Gordon got sent off, it allowed Liverpool to go 2-0 up at St James' Park but they never dominated and allowed the hosts back into the game that night, securing a victory with a dramatic, 100th-minute winner via teenager Rio Ngumoha.

And it nearly happened again on Saturday. Despite having the man advantage for so long, they were not able to control the way Slot would have liked and had Spurs not been reduced to nine after Cristian Romero's kick on Ibrahima Konate, Thomas Frank's men might have earned a battling point that would have felt like a win for them.

Liverpool seem to start so many games slowly nowadays. There's little movement up front, there's a lack of pace and the build up at the back is so slow and ponderous at times that it makes it easy for the opposition to defend. We know players like Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez have moved on and as a result it looks like it has taken a lot of pace out of the team, even more so when there is no Mohamed Salah to call on.

Perhaps a lot of our expectations come from having a Jurgen Klopp style to watch for so long? Back then it was quick and crazy and at times chaotic, but it's what we got used to and what made Liverpool a very successful team during that period. This is different.

Of course, it is what helped the team win the Premier League last time out but now, the Reds look like they have few ideas in the final third. It's gone from being manic to more of a slow-burn. The pressing and the speed isn't there up top right now.

Slot's players have had real trouble defending leads this season. Four times already they have let a two-goal advantage slip - against Bournemouth, Newcastle, Atletico Madrid and Leeds United - and they looked in real danger of doing it again against Spurs, who were huffing and puffing with 10 and then nine.

It would have been ludicrous had Liverpool not won that given how long they had more players for. We're just not seeing a team that knows how to dominate a game at the moment, despite what is now a decent unbeaten run of six games across all competitions.

The thing that really frightened me most is how blind panic set in whenever Spurs had a corner. There seemed to be a real fear that set in and we know Liverpool have been poor at defending set-pieces this season and it looks as though the players are aware of that too because they all panicked. It's unbelievable.

If you look at the Spurs goal, it was ridiculous from Liverpool's perspective. Whoever is coaching these set-pieces needs to spend some more time on it with these players because they look so scared at the moment. Why the panic? Just go and attack the ball.

If you look at Liverpool teams of the past, they always had the likes of Graeme Souness or Ron Yates or Phil Thompson; players who would have led during those moments. You have to wonder if they have the same leadership there now? And I think Alisson Becker can take some more responsibility too to let his team-mates know that the six-yard box is his to defend, he can come and claim or punch. Just get rid.

The last 10 minutes against Spurs, I have to say, was a bit of a joke. But, like everyone else, I was delighted to see the three points return home with the team. Now they have to keep the heat on the teams above them with two fixtures that, on paper, look very winnable.

Merry Christmas all

As this is the final ECHO column before Christmas, I just want to wish everyone all the very best for the holiday season ahead, even you Evertonians!

Your support for this column is greatly appreciated and after a year of huge changes at Liverpool, let's hope for a successful second half of the campaign for Arne Slot and his players.

Alexander Isak is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a suspected broken leg in Liverpool's 2-1 win at Tottenham on Saturday

Liverpool are concerned that their record signing Alexander Isak could face a lengthy spell out of action after sustaining a suspected broken leg during Saturday's 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur. The 26-year-old was injured as he netted the match's first goal, landing awkwardly following a late sliding tackle from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven.

The challenge left the Swedish international clutching his leg in agony and unable to join in the celebrations with his team-mates. He received treatment from medical staff before limping off the pitch, replaced by Jeremie Frimpong who himself was later substituted after being struck in the face by Richarlison.

Reports indicate that an MRI scan will confirm Liverpool's worst fears that their £125m summer addition has broken his leg. Speaking immediately after the match, Reds boss Arne Slot said: "It's difficult to know what he exactly has. But it's never a nice thing that after the goal he collided with their defender. Hopefully he's fine, but we have to wait and see."

This injury is a devastating setback for Liverpool, leaving them with only Hugo Ekitike as a fit, recognised striker with Cody Gakpo sidelined until the New Year and Mohamed Salah away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Isak has had a challenging start to his career at Anfield with just three goals in 16 appearances across all competitions but seemed to be hitting his stride after firing a composed finish past Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario.

The British transfer fee record-holder will draw upon lessons learnt on Tyneside, where a series of injuries also threatened his start to life at a new club.

Following his move to Newcastle from La Liga side Real Sociedad, Isak managed only three outings before sustaining a thigh problem whilst representing his country. The striker went on to net 54 Premier League goals for the Magpies across just three campaigns, though he later revealed Newcastle's measured approach to his setback proved vital in enabling his successful comeback.

Speaking to Swedish publication Fotbollskanalen, Isak explained: "I got a thigh injury. The first six months at the club were tough and it took some time to come back from the injury, but it was still okay because I still got to play three games and show a bit.

"Then the team did so well that it took the pressure off me and I could focus on my rehab instead of thinking the team needed me. It helped a bit, but it's clear it wasn't easy."

The Sweden international sat out four fixtures at the tail end of October and beginning of November with a groin problem and may now face up to six months on the sidelines if scans reveal he has fractured his leg.

The responsibility now falls to his team-mates to maintain their positive momentum and reduce the intense scrutiny Isak was already facing due to his hefty price tag. Should they fail to do so, the disappointment surrounding his challenging introduction to life on Merseyside will only intensify.

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Wayne Rooney heaps praise on Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike after he scored his 11th of the campaign in Saturday's 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur

Wayne Rooney has branded Hugo Ekitike as the best signing of the summer transfer window after the Liverpool striker scored his 11th goal of the season at the weekend.

France international Ekitike nodded home the Reds' second as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in North London and the £79 signing from Eintracht Frankfurt has now scored twice as many as the club's second highest marksman in the Premier League in Cody Gakpo, who has four for the term.

Ekitike is now expected to lead the line for the foreseeable future due to a potential significant lay-off for fellow striker Alexander Isak and Rooney was full of praise for how the No.22 has adapted to life at Liverpool since his transfer to Merseyside.

“He's been one of, if not the best, signing in the Premier League," Manchester United and England legend Rooney said, on his eponymous BBC podcast.

"And fair play to him because the pressure on him must have been huge because obviously he cost quite a bit of money as well, but with Liverpool bringing Wirtz in and Isak, there was a huge amount of pressure on him to try and get in the team. "And he's been the one who's the most consistent one for them in terms of scoring goals and his overall play has been really good. And he's playing with a bit of an attitude which I like as well from him. “Liverpool have come back into form, which I'm sure obviously for Arne Slot is good. So yeah, unfortunately, hopefully that doesn't continue (laughs). "But yes, have to give them credit. To go to Tottenham, even though Tottenham aren't in the best run of form, it's always a difficult place to go. So to go there and win the way they did, fair play to them." Rooney added: “They look more solid, they look like they're not conceding as many goals. They look like they're working together to not concede goals and they definitely look more solid. "And with the attacking players they’ve got on the team, if you don't concede goals, then obviously you've got a better chance to win games. And when you say about going back to basics, which I've said on here quite a few times.

"It looks like defensively they've said: ‘We're going to be harder to beat, we're going to be hard to play against, hard to score against’.

"And then you rely on your forward players to go and win you the game and it sounds simple but that looks like what they've done and that's obviously helping them.”

The Premier League champions return to action when they host rock-bottom Wolves on December 27.