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Spurs suffer chaotic loss to Liverpool despite late fightback
Tottenham Hotspur fell to a 2-1 Premier League defeat against Liverpool on Sunday, a match marred by two controversial red cards that reduced the hosts to nine men. Manager Thomas Frank criticized referee John Brooks for failing to penalize Liverpool's Hugo Ekitiké for a push before their second goal, which Frank argued led to Cristian Romero's first yellow card.
Referee errors fuel Spurs frustration
Romero, Tottenham's captain, was sent off in stoppage time for kicking out at Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté, his second booking of the game. The first came for dissent after Ekitiké's equalizing header, which Frank claimed followed a clear push in the back by the Liverpool striker. The Premier League's VAR review later upheld the goal, stating the contact was "normal for an aerial challenge."
"There is a massive mistake by John [Brooks] on the pitch. Two hands on the back by Ekitiké. I don't understand how he didn't see it. If the referee did his job, Romero wouldn't have been booked first,"
Thomas Frank, Tottenham Hotspur manager
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given defended Brooks' decision, telling Match of the Day: "I think John Brooks has got it right."
Romero's discipline under scrutiny
The defeat leaves Tottenham 13th in the Premier League table, with five of their 11 home losses in 2025 coming under Frank's management. Romero's disciplinary record has come under renewed focus after his latest dismissal. The Argentine has received 34 yellow cards and three reds in 114 Premier League appearances, accounting for 21% of Spurs' 42 yellows this season.
Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp questioned Romero's actions, calling his kick at Konaté "ridiculous." Ex-Spurs goalkeeper Joe Hart described the team's behavior as "wild," adding: "You can't have that, you make it difficult for yourself."
Simons apologizes for early red card
Xavi Simons was sent off in the 31st minute for a foul on Virgil van Dijk, his Netherlands teammate. The midfielder later apologized on Instagram, writing: "Mistakes happen. 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 defended Simons, arguing the challenge was not reckless or excessively forceful. "Are we not allowed to have physical contact anymore?" he asked, questioning the severity of the three-game suspension.
Frank's future faces pressure
With Tottenham's home form deteriorating-this was their 11th league defeat at home in 2025-Frank's position may come under further scrutiny. The Dane, who replaced Ange Postecoglou in the summer, has struggled to replicate his predecessor's success, and the club's disciplinary issues have compounded their struggles.
