On Saturday, Liverpool met Tottenham Hotspur in London which saw a 2-1 win for The Reds. Goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike saw Liverpool over the finish line at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. However, the game was overshadowed by a harsh injury to Liverpool's marquee summer signing Alexander Isak. In a game which saw Isak score also, it was a shame to see him go off in such a bad way.
ISAK'S GOAL:
Isak opening the scoring 🙌 pic.twitter.com/FEPzURvRoq
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 20, 2025
SO WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED:
In a counter attack which saw Tottenham defender Cristian Romero lose possession, Alexis Mac Allister nodded Liverpool back into possession, his headed pass found Isak who spread the play out to Ekitike, who then played it to Wirtz, who in turn slid Isak through on goal. Isak made absolutely no mistake, firing his effort beyond Vicario into the back of the net.
But, it was the tackle made on Isak during the shot by Micky Van De Ven, as he attempted to block the shot. Van De Ven made a bad challenge on Isak that would've 100% been a penalty had Isak not scored. But this moment has spread across the world with people having very different views on the challenge from the Dutchman. Was it a vile challenge from Van De Ven or did he have every right to attempt the tackle? Let's get two sides of the argument from former Liverpool Defender Jamie Carragher who stated his opinion on MNF on Sky Sports. We see the other side of the debate from Liverpool gaffer Arne Slot.
THE VIEW FROM ARNE SLOT:
Slot condemned the challenge from Van De Ven, labelling the tackle as 'Reckless'. Here's what Arne had to say. ' The tackle of Van De Ven, I think if you make that tackle 10 times, I think 10 times there is a serious chance that a player gets a serious injury. This for me is a reckless challenge'. Slot labelled Xavi Simons' red card challenge earlier in the game as 'a completely unintentional tackle, I don't think you will ever get an injury from a tackle like that'.
THE VIEW FROM JAMIE CARRAGHER:
Similarly, Carragher agreed with Slot and many others that the challenge from Van De Ven was a hard tackle. However, he stated that as a defender this is a challenge that you have to make. This is what Carragher had to say about the situation. 'It's a huge blow for Liverpool because I think they were one attacker short anyway. I've put myself in Van De Ven's position, that's a challenge I'd probably make. You can't let a striker get a shot away in that moment. He has to make that challenge'.
WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE LIVERPOOL NOW?
Liverpool have a sticky situation now. Isak injured. Salah at AFCON. Gakpo injured but could return for Wolves. Frimpong only just returning from a hamstring injury. Shouts of Harvey Elliott being recalled from Aston Villa were going around as Slot could look to add to his artillery at Liverpool, Slot ruled this out by saying 'No, Harvey is an Aston Villa player, he is supposed to be there. The best thing is to ask at Villa about him, who are doing well by the way.'
Isak has had surgery, he's sustained a fracture on his left leg, Slot has stated that he will be out for a couple of months. Ahead of the clash vs Wolves, Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo are both injured, Cody Gakpo and Conor Bradley are to be assessed. 17 year old talent Rio Ngumoha is one of Liverpool's 14 available outfield players. Slot said that Rio would've played more had he be in a different position. This will leave Hugo Ekitike to lead the line for the Reds. With Isak being unavailable, could this mean that Liverpool need to find more attackers in the January transfer window. Isak looks set to miss both remaining Champions League fixtures for Liverpool, they face Marseille away and Qarabag at Anfield. Out of 24 possible qualifying places, Liverpool sit 9th, in a good position really. Hugo Ekitike has 8 goals and 1 assist in 16 Premier League games, he is a perfect candidate to lead the line with the absence of Isak. Let's see how Liverpool's situation fairs in the coming weeks.
