Tottenham’s 2-1 home defeat against Liverpool is overshadowed by controversy, as Thomas Frank attacks the decision to dismiss Xavi Simons and questions Hugo Ekitike’s goal. Spurs finish with nine players
after Simons and Cristian Romero are sent off, while a club-record 11th home league loss of 2025 leaves Tottenham 13th in the Premier League table.
Simons receives a yellow card on 33 minutes for a late challenge on Virgil van Dijk, before referee John Brooks upgrades it to red following an on-field VAR review. That dismissal leaves Tottenham playing with ten for almost an hour, yet Frank’s side still create pressure, pull a goal back through Richarlison and continue to attack despite another red late on.
The dismissal carries a unique statistic. Simons becomes the first Dutch player to be sent off for a foul on a fellow Dutch player in the Premier League since April 2001. On that earlier occasion, Spurs’ Willem Korsten is sent off for a foul on Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot, linking two separate Tottenham home defeats more than two decades apart.
Liverpool turn the numerical advantage into points during a second half that swings away from Tottenham. Substitute Alexander Isak scores the opener for Liverpool, breaking the deadlock against the depleted hosts. Ekitike then rises to head in a second on 66 minutes, before Richarlison responds to reduce the deficit, only for Romero’s later dismissal to halt Spurs’ fightback.
Frank is furious with the red card decision and with how VAR is used by the officials. The Dane also strongly disputes Ekitike’s goal, insisting the Liverpool forward pushes Romero in the back before heading in. Frank argues that this contact should trigger an intervention from the video officials, rather than the on-field decision standing unchallenged.
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 had the referee call and that was a yellow, so that's why I don't think that's a red.
2001 - Xavi Simons red card is the first time a Dutch player has been sent off for a foul on a compatriot (Virgil van Dijk) in the Premier League since April 2001, when Spurs' Willem Korsten was red carded after fouling Chelsea's Mario Melchiot. Double. #TOTLIV pic.twitter.com/N3X9MevpYWOptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 20, 2025
Premier League Tottenham Liverpool red card key moments
Frank’s frustration grows after both Liverpool goals, especially the second. The head coach highlights what is viewed as a clear two-handed push by Ekitike on Romero before the header. Frank accepts that referees can miss incidents in real time but stresses that VAR is introduced to correct such errors in high-pressure Premier League situations.
We dealt well with that. 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 strikeras 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 kept 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.
Romero’s dismissal leaves Tottenham with nine players and echoes another ill-disciplined night at the stadium. Simons and Romero become the second pair of Spurs players sent off in the same home Premier League match, after Destiny Udogie and Romero both receive reds against Chelsea in November 2023. Discipline again proves decisive against another major rival.
| Minute | Event | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | Xavi Simons sent off after VAR upgrade | Tottenham | 0-0 |
| Second half | Alexander Isak scores | Liverpool | 0-1 |
| 66 | Hugo Ekitike header | Liverpool | 0-2 |
| Later | Richarlison pulls one back | Tottenham | 1-2 |
| Late on | Cristian Romero shown second yellow | Tottenham | 1-2 |
Despite the defeat, Frank repeatedly praises the squad’s effort, work-rate, and response to heavy pressure. The head coach points to their defensive shape after Simons’ dismissal and the way the players keep pushing forward following Romero’s red. However, the record of 11 home league defeats in 2025 sets an unwanted marker in Tottenham’s history and leaves little margin for error.
Spurs sit 13th in the Premier League, seven points short of the top four as the festive schedule approaches. Upcoming matches against Crystal Palace and Brentford gain extra weight, with Tottenham needing points to revive hopes of European qualification. Frank’s comments underline how discipline, refereeing calls and VAR decisions continue to shape Tottenham versus Liverpool meetings at this level.
