Xavi Simons sends apology to Virgil van Dijk after red card in Liverpool game - 'My captain'

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was on the recieving end of a high, studs-up tackle from his Netherlands teammate, Xavi Simons, during the Premier League game with Tottenham

Xavi Simons was sent off for Tottenham against Liverpool(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Tottenham attacking midfielder Xavi Simons has apologized to Liverpool and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk for the tackle that saw him get sent off in the Premier League clash between the sides.

Simons was initially only cautioned by the referee, John Brooks, but that decision was upgraded following a review at the pitchside monitor. The player couldn't have any complaints, though his manager, Thomas Frank, was unhappy with the call.

"Mistakes happen," Simons wrote on Instagram. "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."

Frank felt that Simons should have only gotten a yellow card, but the player himself seemingly had few complaints.

"First and foremost, I'm extremely proud of the players and the team," the Spurs boss 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.

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

"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."

Goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike proved sufficient for Liverpool to get the three points at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Arne Slot's team was far from comfortable, even playing against 10 men.

"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."