Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur is shown a yellow card after Referee John Brooks blows the final whistle of the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 20, 2025 in London, England.placeholder image
Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur is shown a yellow card after Referee John Brooks blows the final whistle of the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 20, 2025 in London, England. | Getty Images
Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in North London on Saturday night, as the hosts finished the game with nine men
Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1in North London in their latest Premier League outing - but the victory was far from straightforward as the Reds threatened to throw away another two-goal lead.
The Reds were cruising at 2-0 up after goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike as Spurs had been reduced to 10 men midway through the first half after Xavi Simons was sent off for a rash challenge on Virgil van Dijk.
The incident was subject to a recommendation from VAR, with referee John Brooks announcing: “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.”
With Liverpool 2-0 up and with a man advantage, they conceded to ex-Everton man Richarlison after his introduction. Spurs then pressed for an equaliser and had Liverpool under pressure. The pressure was eased on the visitors when Cristian Romero was sent off for a second yellow card after kicking out at Ibrahima Konate.
VAR missed a third red card for Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs were fortunate not to have been shown a third red card during the game, with Richarlison grabbing Hugo Ekitike by the back of the neck after scoring his goal.
The Liverpool striker was face down on the floor with Richarlison grabbing the back of his neck and pushing down. There is precedent for red card in these circumstances, with Manchester United midfielder Casemiro sent off for a throat grab against Crystal Palace previously. Richarlison did not grab Ekitike by the throat but by the back of the neck but there was no call for the action from the Spurs man.
FA rules on violent conduct state: “A player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with the hand or arm, is guilty of violent conduct unless the force used was negligible.”
Richarlison did make deliberate contact with Ekitike off the ball but escaped any punishment. It could quite easily have been classed a red card within the rules of the game.
Speaking after the game, Ekitike was pleased with the three points.
He said: "It wasn't our best game, a difficult game, but we had the control. It was difficult in the last part of the second half because they pushed and they scored. We kept the result and we go back to Liverpool with the win, that is the most important thing.
"It is never easier [to play against ten]. They play at home, the fans push them and they have more energy, more than at the start. That makes it more difficult, so you have to play smart and to fight for every ball.
"The best feeling as a striker. You need goals. The most important is the win and to play with confidence, and obviously if I can help with goals. The first goal I helped with the pass before the assist, so I try to help the team the best as I can and that's the most important."
Continue Reading