Tottenham manager Thomas Frank says Cristian Romero would not have been sent off in Spurs’ 2-1 Premier League loss to Liverpool if referee John Brooks had “done his job properly”.
Spurs were already down to 10 men after Xavi Simons was sent off following a VAR review for a foul on Virgil van Dijk. Despite that, Tottenham pushed hard for an equaliser late on.
But captain Romero was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time for kicking out at Ibrahima Konate, ending Spurs’ comeback hopes.
Frank was angry that Liverpool’s second goal, scored by Hugo Ekitike, was allowed to stand. He believes Ekitike pushed Romero in the back, and says if the referee had spotted it, Romero would not have been booked for dissent and later sent off.
The Premier League match centre said VAR checked and confirmed the goal, calling the contact “normal” in an aerial challenge. Former goalkeeper Shay Given also said the referee got the decision right.
Even so, Frank praised his players’ fight, saying Romero is a passionate player. The defeat leaves Tottenham 13th, with their worst home league record in a calendar year, adding pressure on Frank after taking over in the summer.
