Liverpool head coach Arne Slot accused Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven of causing a serious injury with his “reckless challenge” on Alexander Isak after the striker was ruled out for a “couple of months” with a broken leg.

Isak has undergone surgery on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture and is set to be sidelined for the foreseeable future. The £125m signing suffered the injury as he scored the opening goal against Tottenham on Saturday, as Van de Ven dived into the tackle in an attempt to make a block in the penalty area.

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Van de Ven was not punished for the tackle, unlike Tottenham midfielder Xavi Simons - who was sent off in the first half after catching Virgil van Dijk on the calf with his studs.

Afterwards, Slot accepted that Simons’ tackle was accidental - but, speaking on Tuesday, the Dutch coach said he is disappointed with the nature of Van de Ven’s lunge and accused his compatriot of causing a “serious injury” with dangerous play.

“For me it was a reckless challenge [on Isak],” Slot said. “I spoke a lot about the challenge from Xavi Simons which was completely unintentional. I don't think you'll ever get an injury from that tackle. The tackle of Van de Ven if you make it ten times, I think ten times there is a serious chance a player gets a serious injury.”

On Isak’s injury, Slot confirmed: “It's going to be a long injury - a couple of months. A big disappointment for him and for us."

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