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Replays showed that Van de Ven had slid in a scissor motion, making contact with the striker’s lower leg, and the challenge has faced closer inspection following news of the injury.

Speaking to ESPN on Sunday, former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf said: “I love the way Micky van de Ven is behaving and the way he plays football, and I love the player, but he has to be punished.

“I’m sorry, you cannot get out of that when you broke the leg of somebody. You take a chance, you’re a defender. I was a defender and never injured any player.

“You can tackle, you can be hard, but you have to know and be in control of what you do. And, I’m sorry, in that manner, and the result says a lot, Van de Ven was not in control.

“And for me, that’s maybe unfortunate, but something has to come out. He cannot again be released with nothing after that tackle.”

Former PGMOL Chief weighs in on Van de Ven challenge

Following the goal, referee John Brooks did not pay any attention to Van de Ven, nor did the video assistant referee.

And neither did any Liverpool player, for that matter, with the main concern being with the safety of Isak.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett said: “Frankly, in reviewing this clip, I believe that the Tottenham player has made a genuine attempt to play the ball.

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“The VAR in its operational role will have checked the lead-up to and the scoring of the goal. Clearly both the Referee and VAR were happy for the goal to stand and that no offence had taken place.

“The only route available to Liverpool is to go down the legal route.”

Whether the Reds would want to engage in a legal situation in this case, remains to be seen over the coming weeks.

Alexander Isak

Keith Hackett

Liverpool

Micky van de Ven

Tottenham

Ranel Young playing for Liverpool, Gerhard Struber in a circular insetCredit: Imago

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Exclusive: Bristol City sign ex-Liverpool youngster Ranel Young on free transfer

Bristol City have signed former Liverpool youngster Ranel Young on a free transfer, sources have told Football Insider.

Young, 19, who is a free agent after cancelling his contract at Serbian side FK Usce after less than six months at the club, has signed a two-year deal at Ashton Gate.

Primarily a striker, Young was never able to make his first-team debut at Anfield before leaving for Serbia, where he made just five appearances before pulling the plug.

Football Insider revealed earlier in the month that Bristol City had agreed a deal for Young, with the situation now more advanced just a few days later.

Former Liverpool youngster Ranel Young is training with Bristol City ahead of joining them on a free transfer. Young is a free agent after cancelling his contract at Serbian side FK Usce after less than six months at the club. #bristolcity pic.twitter.com/N4tzJkF4pg

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Bristol City fans unsure of Ranel Young signing

The news of Young’s potential arrival was not met with huge excitement from home supporters, but it is clear that Arne Slot had been impressed with the teenager before his Anfield exit.

Joining the youth ranks from Huddersfield Town in 2017, the attacker worked his way through the age groups before signing his first professional contract with the Merseyside giants in 2023.

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He made the bench under Slot last season, but having not made it onto the pitch, he left Anfield without his first-team debut, having decided not to agree to new terms with the Reds.

Gerhard Struber has explained what he doesn't want to do in the January transfer window as #BristolCity aim to improve their squad this winter. 🔴⚪️

— Bristol City Live 

Life after Merseyside has not quite worked out for the young talent, but he might be given another chance if Struber spots something special upon his arrival.

Gerhard Struber has already outlined his targets for January

Having won 10 of his 24 games in charge, the Robins have a very real chance of achieving promotion to the Premier League, or at least can secure a play-off spot this term.

Speaking recently about transfers ahead of next month, the boss said: “I don’t want to bring someone in [just so] that we have, in the end, more numbers.

“I would say we know what we want and, in this direction, we want to improve the squad in January. It’s clear,” but fans are not yet convinced that they will be excited about potential transfers.

Struber’s side are just two points off the top-six spots, and with the second half of the campaign still to play, the right transfers next month could make all the difference come the end of the seaso........