Xavi Simons Sends Virgil van Dijk Message After Red Card Tackle in Tottenham vs Liverpool
Xavi Simons has broken his silence after seeing red in Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Saturday afternoon, issuing an apology and a heartfelt message to Virgil van Dijk in the aftermath of a costly dismissal.
The match began in subdued fashion, with neither side able to assert early dominance, but the contest swung dramatically against Spurs midway through the first half. Simons, starting in midfield, mistimed a challenge on Van Dijk, with his studs making contact with the Liverpool captain’s leg in what appeared to be a dangerous tackle. Although the on-field referee initially produced a yellow card, VAR advised a review, and after consulting the pitchside monitor, the decision was upgraded to a straight red.
The dismissal proved to be a turning point in the game. Reduced to ten men for the majority of the contest, Tottenham struggled to contain a Liverpool side that began to dominate possession and territory. Goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike put the visitors firmly in control, while Spurs’ task became even more difficult as the minutes ticked away. Richarlison did manage to pull one back and briefly raise hopes of a comeback, but those hopes were extinguished when Cristian Romero was later shown a second red card, leaving the hosts with nine men.
Simons’ sending off ultimately had a decisive impact on the outcome, and the 22-year-old was visibly distraught as he made his way off the pitch. The Dutch international has endured a challenging start to his Tottenham career, still adapting to life in north London as Thomas Frank works to find the most effective role for him in the side.
In the hours following the defeat, Simons took to social media to address the incident and clarify his intentions, particularly towards Van Dijk, who had offered him words of consolation as he left the field. Posting on Instagram, Simons wrote:
“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.”
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank also weighed in on the controversy after the match during an interview with Match of the Day, making it clear that he disagreed with the referee’s final decision. The Danish coach argued that the challenge did not carry enough force or recklessness to justify a straight red card.
“The way the players responded to several setbacks was immense,” Frank said. “The first setback is the first red card, which I think… I’ve seen given before, but I don’t like it. I don’t like those types of red cards because, for me, 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. The referee initially gave a yellow, and that’s why I don’t believe it should have been a red.”
As a result of the dismissal, Simons will now serve a three-match suspension, ruling him out of key fixtures during the hectic festive period. He will miss games against Crystal Palace, Brentford and Sunderland—opponents all capable of punishing a depleted Spurs side. His absence represents another headache for Frank as he attempts to steady Tottenham’s season and navigate a demanding run of matches with limited options in midfield.