Virgil van Dijk makes his feelings clear on Xavi Simons' horror challenge

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Virgil van Dijk has commented on the red card shown to Xavi Simons after the Tottenham player caught the Liverpool defender on his Achilles during the Reds' 2-1 victory

Virgil van Dijk after being fouled by Xavi Simons(Image: Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk does not believe Tottenham star Xavi Simons set out to hurt him, but he would not reveal the contents of his conversation with his international teammate.

The Dutch midfielder, who has publicly apologized to Van Dijk, was sent off after catching the Liverpool ace on his Achilles. VAR intervened after Simons was initially shown a yellow card with the score still goalless.

The Reds secured a 2-1 victory in London as Cristian Romero also received his marching orders as Thomas Frank's side pushed for an equalizer. Referee John Brooks was advised by Stockley Park officials to review the incident and upgraded the punishment to a straight red card as a result.

A statement from the Premier League Match Centre said: "After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of yellow card to Simons and issued a red card for serious foul play.

"Referee announcement, 'After review, the Tottenham No. 7, with studs, catches the Liverpool player [No. 4] on the calf high - it's an act of serious foul play. My final decision is red card.'"

Liverpool veteran Van Dijk acknowledged he was hurt by the challenge. The defender appeared certain that there was no malicious intent behind the foul.

Xavi Simons of Tottenham Hotspur reacts toward Virgil van Dijk(Image: Getty Images)

"I don't think there was any intention to hurt me, but obviously he hurt me, and then the referee and the VAR made the decision to send him off," Van Dijk said.

"Yeah, I spoke to him [after the game]. It's a chat that no one needs to know."

Simons acknowledged the challenge was simply an error and apologized to his compatriot and Spurs' supporters.

"Mistakes happen," he said on social media. "Virg is my captain. I would never intentionally hurt him or anyone.

"To my Spurs teammates, my manager, and the fans, I take responsibility, I'm really sorry."

Spurs manager Frank was astonished that his player had received such a severe punishment for what he deemed an accident. "I've seen them given, but I don't like this as a red card," he said. "It's not reckless, and it's not exceptional force.

"He's chasing Van Dijk and changes direction, and, unfortunately, his foot is on his Achilles.

"We're not allowed to have physical contact anymore, and he gets three games. That is absolutely wrong, and we probably can't appeal that."

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