Frank believes 'the game is gone' after Simons' red card against Liverpool

Thomas Frank believes that Xavi Simons' red card in Tottenham's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool proved that "the game is gone" as he fumed at several decisions in the match.

Simons was sent off in the 33rd minute for a late lunge on Virgil van Dijk. The midfielder was initially awarded a yellow card, but it was upgraded after an on-field VAR review. 

Indeed, Simons' red card was the first time a Dutch player has been sent off for a foul on a fellow Dutch player in the Premier League since April 2001, when Spurs' Willem Korsten was red carded after fouling Chelsea's Mario Melchiot.  

Liverpool made their man advantage count in the second half when substitute Alexander Isak put them ahead before Hugo Ekitike's 66th-minute header doubled the Reds' lead.

However, Spurs rallied and reduced the deficit through Richarlison, only to see Cristian Romero dismissed for a second bookable offence after lashing out at Ibrahima Konate. 

Frank's team continued to peg Liverpool back despite being down to nine men, but they were unable to find a way through. Tottenham have now lost 11 home league games in 2025, their most ever in a single calendar year across club history.

But speaking after the match, Frank was left bemused by John Brooks and the VAR's decision to send off Simons, as well as questioning the awarding of Ekitike's goal, with the Dane believing the Liverpool striker had pushed Romero when jumping for the ball. 

"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.

"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 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 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."

In Simons and Romero, Tottenham received two red cards in the same home Premier League game for just the second time in competition history, after both Destiny Udogie and Romero were dismissed against Chelsea in November 2023.

Spurs are now 13th in the Premier League, seven points adrift of the top four, with fixtures against Crystal Palace and Brentford to come over the festive period.