Tottenham defender Micky Van de Ven revealed that he sent an apology to Liverpool striker Alexander Isak following his challenge on the Swede that left the forward with a fractured leg.
Isak, who netted
for Liverpool in their 2-1 win over the Spurs, faces time on the sidelines after Van de Ven’s tackle ended up taking a toll on the Swede.
The Dutch defender, however, stated that he had sent his apologies to the striker following the tackle and reiterated that it wasn’t his intention to injure him.
“I sent him a text because I didn’t want to injure him or do something to hurt him of course,” Van de Ven said.
“I just tried to block the shot and I think it was unlucky how his foot landed between my legs,” he explained.
“I wish him all the best with his recovery, that’s what I said to him – he really appreciated the message when he text me back,” the Dutchman said.
Liverpool boss Are Slot had criticised the Dutchman’s challenge on Isak stating that, “The tackle of Van De Ven, if you make that tackle ten times, I think ten times there’s a serious chance that a player gets a serious injury.”
Spurs boss Thomas Frank, however, jumped to the player’s defence as he said, “I am obviously disagreeing 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,” the former Brentford manager added.
“Unfortunately, Isak plants his foot so it makes it look worse than it is, but that is a natural action for a defender,” the Dane said.
“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 said.
“I see him as a very fair and competitive player. That’s one thing. I know the two players have sorted it out, so that’s a good sign.”
