Chalien Dantes/Contributor

Liverpool striker Alexander Isak faces several months on the sidelines after suffering a broken leg in a clash with Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven. 

The Sweden international went down following a sliding tackle as he scored in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Spurs and later underwent surgery for an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture.

Van de Ven was not punished for the challenge, though his teammate Xavi Simons had already been sent off earlier in the game for a late tackle on Virgil van Dijk. Liverpool manager Arne Slot described Van de Ven’s challenge as reckless and warned of the high risk of serious injury from such tackles, while Tottenham boss Thomas Frank defended his player as fair and competitive.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher called the injury a major blow for the Reds but said the tackle was one he might have made himself. With Isak sidelined and Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Liverpool will face Wolves on Saturday with reduced attacking options.