Thomas Frank offers blunt red card verdict after Liverpool defeat - 'Game's gone'

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Liverpool beat nine-man Spurs in North London with Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero both getting sent off and Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike scoring in the second half

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank during his side's defeat to Liverpool(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank felt that the red card for his midfielder, Xavi Simons, was the wrong decision as Spurs fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Liverpool in the Premier League.

After a VAR review by the referee, John Brooks, Simons saw his yellow card upgraded to a red after a studs-up challenge on Virgil van Dijk. That was in the first half, with Cristian Romero sent off in the second period for a second caution after a coming together with Ibrahima Konate.

"First and foremost, I'm extremely proud of the players and the team," Frank told BBC Match of the Day. "I think they gave everything and showed unbelievable mentality and worked very hard on how to deal with setbacks.

"The way they responded to several setbacks was immense. The first one is the first red, which I think... I've seen it given before, but I don't like it.

"I don't like those types of red cards because I think the game is gone if that's a red card. I don't think it's a reckless tackle. I don't think it's exceptional force. We have the referee call, and that was a yellow, so that's why I don't think that's a red."

Despite the sending off, Spurs remained in the game. Frank was pleased with how his players battled for the victory.

Gary Neville thought that Xavi Simons made a "ridiculous" challenge on Virgil van Dijk(Image: 2025 Getty Images)

"We dealt well with it," Frank continued. "The players stayed in the game, defended well, kept going. Then we concede the first goal, and then the second one is a big mistake.

"Two hands in the back from the striker — as far as I know the laws of football, you are not allowed to do that.

"That's fine to happen on the pitch, the referees are only human, but then the VAR bails you out, which they didn't do.

"We stayed in the game, kept going, scored a very good goal for 2-1 and keep fighting. Then I think the second yellow to Cuti [Romero], you have a little feel of the game.

"Two big boys fighting, Konate is going through him, and his foot lands on his head, no yellow.

"Then there's a little movement from Cuti, but I don't think it's a second yellow when you feel the game. We stayed there and did well in terms of dealing with it."

Liverpool has Wolves next. Dominik Szoboszlai was cautioned and will therefore be suspended. Simons will miss three Spurs games, with Romero set to be banned for one.