A key Tottenham star endured a tough time against Liverpool on Saturday night.
A key Tottenham star found himself in the spotlight once again when the Lilywhites faced Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday night. Like several of his teammates, the defender endured a difficult outing against the Reds, having been directly involved in both goals the North Londoners conceded during their 2–1 home defeat.
The player in question? Cristian Romero. The Argentine gave the ball away cheaply while attempting a lobbed pass early in the second half, allowing Liverpool to launch a counter-attack that ended with an Alexander Isak goal. The 27-year-old then claimed he was pushed by Hugo Ekitike in the build-up to the Reds’ second goal, eventually earning a yellow card for dissent. The night continued to unravel for the prolific centre-back, as he soon became the centre of attention for a third time.
Tottenham defender Cristian Romero was rightly sent off for his challenge on Liverpool's Ibrahim Konate.
Tottenham defender Cristian Romero was rightly sent off for his challenge on Liverpool’s Ibrahim Konate.
Just as Spurs appeared to be on the verge of getting back into the contest, Romero effectively ended their hopes by kicking Ibrahim Konate’s hand late in the second half. The cynical challenge forced the referee to show the Argentine international a second yellow card, sending him off and ruling him out of the next match through suspension.
Cristian Romero still not learning from his mistakes at Tottenham
Cristian Romero’s aggression is one of the few factors that prevent the Tottenham defender from being regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League. There is no doubt that the 27-year-old possesses immense footballing ability, which he regularly displays for the Lilywhites. However, it is his on-pitch antics that often land him in trouble, leading fans to question his leadership qualities at N17.
Alex Crook has now delivered a brutal verdict on Romero’s aggression, which he believes continues to hold the club back. Taking to X, Crook said:
“Cristian Romero represents all that is wrong with THFC. An average defender lauded by the fans because he ‘puts a tackle in’. An absolute liability. I feel sorry for Thomas Frank. He’s got no chance with this group of players.”
https://twitter.com/alex\_crook/status/2002466460397154453?s=46
Crook believes that Cristian Romero is holding Tottenham back because of his repeated disciplinary issues on the pitch. The journalist claims that the Argentine international is not special and has been praised by Spurs supporters for simply doing the basics in recent years. Crook adds that the 27-year-old is a liability to the team, placing Thomas Frank under pressure due to his cynical tackle on Ibrahim Konate on Saturday night.
The curious case of Cristian Romero…
It is fair to question Romero’s authority in the dressing room if he cannot control his aggression during matches. While he is undoubtedly a talented centre-back, the Argentine international lacks the maturity and composure required to lead the club forward. He has been a key part of Thomas Frank’s setup at N17, but it may now be time for the Danish tactician to make a difficult decision regarding Romero’s captaincy at Hotspur Way.
Calling him an ‘average’ defender may be a stretch for Alex Crook. The 27-year-old has often delivered crucial performances for the Lilywhites this season, contributing at both ends of the pitch. However, it is only right that Romero takes responsibility for his actions and avoids putting Spurs in further jeopardy in the months ahead.