Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has publicly revealed the details of a private text message he sent to Liverpool's Alexander Isak, following the serious injury he inflicted on the striker during a Premier League clash.
The Incident and the Aftermath
The pivotal moment occurred during Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Tottenham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. While scoring the opening goal for the Reds, Isak was caught by a challenge from van de Ven, resulting in a significant ankle injury and a fractured fibula. The club's record £125 million signing from Newcastle United has since undergone surgery and is expected to be sidelined for several months.
Speaking to Sky Sports, van de Ven expressed his regret over the incident. "Yeah, I've text him. Of course," the Dutch centre-back confirmed. "I've sent him a text because I didn't want to injure him, I didn't want to do something to hurt him. I just tried to block the shot and I think it was a bit unlucky how his foot landed between my legs."
A Gesture of Sportsmanship
Van de Ven detailed the content of his message, stating his primary intention was to wish the Swedish international a swift recovery. "So I sent him a text afterwards. I want to wish him all the best in his recovery. That's what I said to him. And I hope we can see him back on the pitch very soon again," he added.
When questioned about whether he received a reply from the Liverpool forward, van de Ven gave a positive response. "Yeah, he really appreciated the message. He texted back," he revealed. While the Tottenham player chose to keep the exact wording private, it is understood that Isak accepted the apology and was thankful for the gesture.
Isak's Road to Recovery
The injury represents a major setback for Isak, who has faced challenges in establishing himself at Anfield following his big-money summer transfer. However, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot remains optimistic about the striker's return this season.
"Yeah, [he'll play again this season]. I'm confident," Slot stated. He acknowledged the difficult period Isak has endured, noting the player's recent progress. "That's why he's so unlucky that he's now injured because I think we all saw with a goal against West Ham, and with this goal [vs Tottenham], that he got closer and closer to the player he was at Newcastle."
The focus for Isak is now squarely on a rigorous rehabilitation programme, with the hope of making a impactful return to the Premier League before the campaign concludes.
