Alexander Isak faces the prospect of a long-term absence after scans are expected to confirm a broken leg, but should Spurs defender Mick van de Ven be punished for the challenge that seriously injured the Liverpool striker?
Liverpool and Isak are awaiting the results of an MRI on the injury he sustained when he was caught in a sliding challenge by Van de Ven in the dying minutes after scoring the opening goal in the 2-1 win over Tottenham.
A stretcher was carried onto the pitch, but Isak was eventually helped off the field by Liverpool’s medical staff.
But just how bad was Van de Ven’s challenge to prevent Isak from scoring? Former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd explained to Ref Watch why he thought Van de Ven’s challenge deserved a red card.
“He’s out of control.”
Isaac took the lead but was caught by a challenge from Van de Ven in the final stages.
“Van de Ven was not intentionally trying to hurt Isak. He was clearly trying to prevent a goal and was coming to block the shot, not hit the player.”
“But this is certainly an example where Isak scored a goal but still should have been given a red card.
“He’s lunging and lunging at him. There’s every explanation you want to give for a red card challenge, but they gave it up because he scored.
“He lunges at his feet. He’s out of control. He’s trying to block, but he’s never going to get there. The shot went away before Van de Ven arrived with the challenge. If it was in the middle of the park, it’s a red card.”
“He lost control and lunged. He broke his leg. That certainly shows the strength that was in there.
“This was a dangerous challenge and the player broke his leg because of it.”
“I would be surprised if that was a red card.”
Bothroyd’s views on the red card were contradicted by former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher, who suggested Van Deven had done what any other footballer would have done in the moment of the match when he was trying to prevent a goal.
“I’m surprised,” Ms Gallagher replied to Mr Bothroyd.
Isak left injured against Spurs
“I don’t think he did anything that a footballer wouldn’t do. I would be surprised if he got a red card anywhere on the field.
“Players always mistime their challenges.
“He’s a little bit behind… It’s not a red card. Whether it’s in the penalty area, in the D area, in the center circle or in the other half.”
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Rich Morgan of Sky Sports:
Isak missed four games in late October and early November with a groin injury, and was sent off at half-time of the Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
He has started five of the nine matches since his return, but any absence, even for an extended period, would be a blow, with Mohamed Salah set to feature in the Africa Cup of Nations and Kodi Gakpo not expected to be ready to return until early in the new year following a muscular injury.
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There has been a lot of speculation surrounding Antoine Semenyo’s future at Bournemouth this season, and The Transfer Show takes a closer look at where his next move could be and whether it could happen in January.
This leaves Hugo Ekitike, who has scored five goals in the last four games, and Federico Chiesa, who has rarely been used, as the only senior forwards in the slot.
Unlike Isak, Ekitike has only really hit the ground running since his £79m move to Anfield from Frankfurt last summer and has scored 11 goals in 24 games in all competitions so far this season, including eight in the Premier League.
And with Isak sidelined through injury, the 23-year-old has a chance to stake his claim for the championship’s first-choice number nine spot in a crucial game.
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Free to watch: Premier League highlights of Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool
Liverpool will face Wolves, Leeds, Fulham and leaders Arsenal over the next two-and-a-half weeks to shape their aim of finishing in the top four.
Meanwhile, the Reds begin their FA Cup campaign at home to Barnsley on January 12, and have two crucial Champions League games next month, at Marseille (January 21) and at home to Qarabag (January 28).
