Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank has responded to Arne Slot's comments about Mickey van de Ven after the match against Liverpool last weekend.
Liverpool's Alexander Isak broke the deadlock in the first half but received a nasty challenge from an advancing Spurs defender as he sought to block the ball.
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The Liverpool striker broke his leg and underwent surgery.
He will be out for several months after scoring only his second Premier League goal following his big-money summer move.
Tottenham also received two red cards in that game, failing to control their emotions and allowing the Reds to leave North London with all three points.
However, Frank does not believe Van de Ven's tackle was a “reckless call”. The Spurs head coach said (via THFC website), “Obviously I disagree.
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“In many ways we're talking about a defender who will do anything to avoid (missing) a goal. It's a transition, so he rushes back.
“The ball slid to the side and he does everything he can to block it.
“Unfortunately, Isak put his foot right there, which makes it look worse than it is. That would be a natural reaction for any defender.”
“Or let’s put it this way, if my quarterback doesn’t do it, I don’t think they’re a real defenseman. I don't see this at all.
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“I think these are reckless calls, they didn’t usually see that from Mickey, as far as I remember.
“I think he's a very fair and competitive player. That's one thing. I also know that both players have it all figured out, so that's a good sign.”
What happened to Isak was terrible and no one should downplay the severity of the injury.
A broken leg is every professional's nightmare. But intention matters and there was clearly nothing malicious about Van de Ven's actions at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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This was a centre-back rushing back in transition, throwing his body out before a shot to stop a goal – the most basic defensive instinct there is.
Tottenham Ace didn't lunge late, run over the ball or target the man. He went for the block.
Isak's unfortunate timing of placing his foot turned a bold, split-second decision into a devastating outcome.
Football is fast and unforgiving, and sometimes real accidents happen without any villain involved.
