Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has issued a robust defence of his defender Micky van de Ven, directly countering criticism from Liverpool boss Arne Slot. The dispute centres on the challenge that resulted in Liverpool striker Alexander Isak suffering a broken leg during a recent Premier League clash in north London.
The Incident and Immediate Fallout
The controversial moment occurred on Wednesday, 23rd December 2025, as Isak finished past the Tottenham goalkeeper. Van de Ven, sprinting back in a desperate attempt to block the shot, made contact with the Swedish international, who was left in a heap after scoring. Isak was immediately substituted and has since undergone successful surgery, confirming a significant spell on the sidelines for the Liverpool forward.
In his post-match press conference, Arne Slot did not hold back in his assessment of the Tottenham defender's actions. The Liverpool coach labelled the tackle as "reckless" and argued it was worse than the red-card offence committed by Xavi Simons on Virgil van Dijk in the same match. Slot claimed that if the challenge was repeated ten times, it would carry a serious risk of injury on every occasion.
Frank's Stirring Defence of Van de Ven
Thomas Frank, however, presented a fundamentally different view of the event. The Spurs head coach disagreed emphatically with Slot's characterization, framing Van de Ven's actions as those of a committed defender.
"Obviously I am disagreeing," Frank stated. "In many ways, we are talking about a defender that will do everything to avoid the goal. It’s a transition so he is sprinting back in. There’s a ball slid down the side and he does everything he can to block that shot."
Frank explained that the severity of the impact was exacerbated by Isak planting his foot, making the collision appear worse. He insisted that any true defender would make a similar attempt to prevent a goal. Frank also highlighted Van de Ven's clean disciplinary record, describing him as a "very fair and competitive player" not prone to reckless challenges. Notably, he revealed that the two players involved have already resolved the matter between themselves.
Expert Verdict and Broader Debate
The incident has sparked wider debate within football circles regarding the nature of defensive challenges. Adding a significant voice to the discussion, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher analysed the tackle on Sky Sports' Ref Watch.
Gallagher sided with Frank's perspective, stating he "can't see that he's done anything that a footballer wouldn't." He expressed astonishment at the idea of a red card being shown for the challenge, classifying it as a mistimed effort rather than a malicious one. His analysis concluded that the incident did not warrant a sending-off.
This public disagreement between two top-flight managers underscores the fine line between committed defending and dangerous play. With Alexander Isak now facing a lengthy rehabilitation, the debate over responsibility and intent in high-speed Premier League collisions is set to continue.
