Referee John Brooks sends off Xavi Simons of Tottenham Hotspur
Xavi Simons Sends Virgil van Dijk Message After Red Card Tackle in Tottenham vs Liverpool
By
Luke Collins
Hackett: Referee Missed Third Red Card in Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison scores against Liverpool
remier League – Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain – December 20, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison scores their first goal past Liverpool’s Alisson Becker REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Although two red cards in a single Premier League game is something of a rarity, John Brooks could well have sent a third player off late in the game according to Hackett. The former top flight official was far from impressed with Richarlison’s actions after he scored Spurs’ only goal of the match.
After the ball hit the net, Tottenham players rushed forward to grab it and restart play, but Ekitike retreated to prevent them from doing so. The Frenchman and Richarlison both tumbled to the floor, but as he got up, the Brazilian grabbed the back of his opponent’s neck.
Hackett, reacting to the incident following the match, believes that the striker was fortunate not to be shown a red card for violent conduct. He told Football Insider: “There is no doubt that Richarlison is a competitive individual and certainly one that a referee needs to keep his eye on.
“In this particular situation, we see Richarlison with his hand on the neck of his opponent as he is getting up off the ground. There’s a little pressure. Could easily have been a red card but was completely missed by officials, ignored by VAR and as a result, nothing happens.