Match of the Day's Joe Hart criticises Tottenham's ill-discipline in their 2-0 defeat at home to Liverpool, saying Spurs "lost control" in going down to nine men.
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Cristian Romero would not have been sent off in Tottenham's 2-1 Premier League loss to Liverpool if referee John Brooks "did his job" properly, says Spurs manager Thomas Frank.
Tottenham were reduced to 10 men in the first half after a VAR intervention when Xavi Simons was dismissed for a foul on Virgil van Dijk.
However, the hosts fought back and reduced the deficit late on through substitute Richarlison.
Despite being a man down, Tottenham were well on top in stoppage time and chasing an equaliser when their captain Romero received a second yellow card for a petulant kick out at Ibrahima Konate.
Romero's first booking came for dissent in the aftermath of Liverpool's second goal, with the Argentine feeling Hugo Ekitike had pushed him in the back as he headed in.
"There is a massive mistake by John [Brooks] on the pitch. Two hands on the back by Ekitike," said Frank.
"I don't understand how he didn't see it. OK. Luckily we have VAR so they will bail you out when you need it, which they didn't. That was the second mistake.
"I think if you go back to that [second Liverpool goal] and the referee did his job, then I think it would not have been a first yellow [for Romero]. Is that fair to say?
"I have a player that is extremely passionate, and if you have a passionate player then you need to go to the line sometimes."
In a post on X, the Premier League match centre,, external said: "The referee's call of goal for Liverpool was checked and confirmed by VAR - with it deemed there was normal contact for an aerial challenge between Ekitike and Romero."
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given agreed on Match of the Day: "I think John Brooks has got it right."
Spurs can take a number of positives from fighting back with a numerical disadvantage against last term's champions, however the result leaves Frank's side 13th in the table.
Tottenham's 11 home league defeats in 2025 are also their most in a calendar year - and the fact five of those have come under the Dane, who took over from Ange Postecoglou in the summer, will place further scrutiny over his reign.
However, there are also likely to be question marks over Romero's suitability as the club's captain.
The Argentine, who was appointed as Tottenham skipper by Frank in the summer after the departure of Son Heung-min to Los Angeles FC, has a chequered disciplinary record.
In 114 Premier League appearances the former Atalanta defender has collected 34 yellow cards and three red cards.
Tottenham, alongside Bournemouth, have the most yellow cards in the top flight this season with 42 - and 21% of those (nine) can be attributed to Romero.
He was also one of the players to be given their marching orders when Spurs were last reduced to nine players in a league match, against Chelsea in 2023.
And the context of his second yellow card against the Reds left former Tottenham and Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp bewildered.
"I think Hugo Ekitike's goal is a foul. I can't believe it's not given, A consequence of that is Cristian Romero runs after the referee and gets himself a yellow card which has an impact at the end of the game," Redknapp said on Sky Sports.
"What Romero did is what Romero does. To get involved right in front of the referee and kick out at someone right in front of the referee. If my four-year-old did that I would say 'what are you doing?'
"Konate leaves a bit on Romero first which is actually quite cute because he knows he is not going to get caught. But he [Romero] can't do that. It's ridiculous."
And former Tottenham goalkeeper Joe Hart called some of Spurs' behaviour in the defeat "wild".
"They put up a really good fight but there was so much ill discipline," he told Match of the Day. "You can't have that, you make it difficult for yourself.
"Xavi Simons has not gone out of his way to nail his fellow countryman but it is something so dangerous to do, absolutely a red card.
"They are fighting and scrapping for their lives, but from the moment Romero got that yellow card I felt another would come.
"Konate has just baited him and it is right in front of John Brooks - he has to give him a second yellow card.
"They just totally lost control. Richarlison after the game still not giving up, it all looked a bit wild out there."
In a post on Instagram, external, Simons apologised for his earlier attempted tackle on his Netherlands captain Van Dijk.
He wrote: "Mistakes happen. Virg is my captain, I would never intentionally hurt him or anyone. To my Spurs team-mates, my manager and the fans, I take responsibility, I'm really sorry."
While Frank conceded he had seen similar challenges to the one made by the attacking midfielder receive the same punishment, he suggested it was not worthy of a sending off.
"I don't like this [Simons' challenge] as a red card. I think the game is probably too big to say gone, but for me it's not reckless and it's not exceptional force," Frank added.
"He is chasing Van Dijk. He is trying to put pressure and then he changes direction. Unfortunately his foot is on Achilles.
"You can say 'ah, you need to be smarter, don't do it and all that' - but are we not allowed to have physical contact any more?
"The next thing on that is if he gets three games, which I don't understand, how can he get three games for something which is not reckless? That is absolutely wrong and we probably can't appeal it."
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With one win in their past seven league games before Saturday and Thomas Frank under increasing pressure, it was interesting to see the Spurs boss leave top scorer Richarlison on the bench.
The introduction of the Brazilian late on changed the game - and even though Tottenham Hotspur finished with nine men, Liverpool were lucky to hold on. At times in the latter stages, it was hard to tell Tottenham had fewer players on the pitch.
Spurs were certainly not helped by Xavi Simons' first-half moment of madness.
The Dutchman will miss three games and left his side in a mess here, but his team-mates showed plenty of character even after going 2-0 down and can take some confidence from that.
Questions must also be asked of Christian Romero, who was needlessly sent off late on and will miss the trip to Crystal Palace.
Ultimately, though, this was yet another defeat for Tottenham at home.
They have won just two of their nine league games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season, with only Wolves (zero) having fewer wins in front of their own fans.
The 11 league games Spurs have lost at home across 2025 is also the most in a calendar year in club history.
'Beating Liverpool would be a statement win'
Tottenham v Liverpool (17:30 GMT)
Chris Sutton
Former Premier League striker
At Tottenham, poor Thomas Frank is having a tough time of it.
He was so furious after their defeat at Nottingham Forest last week that he said it feels like there is a hurricane inside him.
I can understand why he is so angry, because Spurs were so limp and offered so little in that game.
They did win their past two home games and Frank can cling on to that but, the way Spurs fans are, they are probably thinking: 'It was only against Brentford and Slavia Prague.'
Winning this game would be far more of a statement.
'Everything is costing us'
FT: Bournemouth 1-1 Burnley
Bournemouth
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We were feeling like we were having the best chances but we didn't kill it. We are conceding a lot of set plays and it is a big punishment for us. We deserved to win.
"Burnley have been competitive in every game. We should be 2-0 up so if something like this happens it is just 2-1. We didn't kill the game in the moments we were playing better.
"This is the Premier League and you cannot have these mistakes defensively and offensively.
"The last part of the first half we started conceding some fouls, the game became a bit more messy. We became more aggressive of the ball, we dominated but it is just a point.
"Everything is costing us a lot. One point is better than losing, you have to value every point but we have to find a way to go to three points."
On Antoine Semenyo and rumours he could leave in January: "He is a massive player for us. It is not a big secret."
West Ham 'have to face reality' of relegation zone
FT: Man City 3-0 West Ham
West Ham United
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to Sky Sports:
"Better second half, especially the beginning. First half not so good. We started badly, they scored and controlled the game. Better second half.
"We had a poor start, didn't quite do what we had in mind for the gameplan. Everything becomes hard when you concede so early.
"I watched the goals. Bouncing balls, we should have done better. These balls always go to the City players. I have to have a proper look at the game to analyse.
On being in relegation zone at Christmas: "It's a reality. We have to face it. Importance now is to recover and be ready to compete against Fulham. We have a lot of work to do.
"I'm focussed on how we have to do things, how we perform, improving our game and players. These matches in the Christmas period are crucial."
'The group is showing immense dedication'
FT: Wolves 0-2 Brentford
Brentford
Brentford manager Keith Andrews, speaking to Sky Sports: "Happy with the performance, I feel like a lot of the performances away from home have been good but we haven't been on the right side of the results.
"[At the break] I said to them that in the five games Rob [Edwards] has been in charge they have been drawing in every single game at half-time. It is not easy to break them down, but we tweaked a couple of things."
On Keane Lewis-Potter: "When he is at his best, the timing of his movement is really good. He was versatile today, he has had to be patient to get his opportunities and thankfully today he took it.
"The preparation and dedication of the group all week has been immense. The togetherness we have, it's a pleasure to be around.
"We want to progress, we want to have that mindset. There will be bumps in the road, that's the nature of the game, but the togetherness in the group is really impressive."
On sitting down with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola after using the club's facilities to prepare for this match, Andrews said: "We had a nice coffee yesterday morning, he was very kind to give up his time. We were very grateful to be able to use their facilities."
'Could have made more chances'
FT: Man City 3-0 West Ham
Manchester City
Manchester City forward Tijjani Reijnders, speaking to MOTD:
"Only the beginning of the second half we didn't start quite so well. Big part of the game we controlled it and we could have made more chances if we were more secure in certain situations."
Settling in at the club? "It's new I think for every player who comes here. The tactics are different from my other clubs, the guys help me a lot with adjusting and I feel pretty settled here.
"It's good. We put on a very good streak. For us we have to keep going. It's not finished. Keep pressure on Arsenal and it's a good time going into Christmas like this."
'Salah capable of apologising'
Tottenham v Liverpool (17:30 GMT)
Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender on Football Focus
On Liverpool moving on from the Salah situation:
I personally would have liked Mohamed Salah to come out and apologise rather than someone coming out and saying he had done so. Fundamentally he came out and made the comments he did in the mixed zone which caused all this issue, so he is capable of coming out and saying something else to apologise for what that brought to the club.
Tottenham have won just two of their last 25 Premier League games against Liverpool (D6 L17), picking up home wins in October 2017 (4-1) and September 2023 (2-1).
Liverpool won both Premier League meetings with Spurs last season by 6-3 and 5-1 scorelines. Only the Reds themselves have scored 5+ goals in three consecutive games against an opponent in the competition, doing so against Norwich between September 2012 and December 2013.
Liverpool have scored in 25 of their last 26 Premier League games against Spurs, including the last 19 in a row. Only against Arsenal (a current run of 20) have they had a longer scoring streak in the competition.
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur is the top scoring fixture in Premier League history (206 goals). The last three league matches between the pair have seen 21 goals (7 per game), while there have been at least three goals in 14 of their last 16 Premier League meetings.
Tottenham won 2-0 against Brentford in their last home Premier League match and last won consecutive home games between September and November 2024 (3). Spurs have lost 10 home league games in 2025, their joint most in a year along with 1994 and 2003.
Among ever present teams in the last two Premier League seasons, only Bournemouth (16) have conceded two or more goals in more away games than Liverpool (15). Across their last 17 on the road, the Reds have either kept a clean sheet (6) or conceded 2+ goals (11) in every single one.
Tottenham have lost four Premier League games by 3+ goals so far in 2025, including a 3-0 loss at Nottingham Forest last time out. Only in 1997 (5) and 2014 (6) have they lost more games by 3+ goals in a calendar year in the competition.
Liverpool won their first five Premier League games this season, but have since won just three of their last 11 (D2 L6). Theyâre just the second team in the competitionâs history to win their first five but fail to reach 10 victories by Christmas after Chelsea in 2010-11.
Tottenham striker Richarlison has been involved in seven Premier League goals against Liverpool (4 goals, 3 assists), more than he has against any other opponent. All four of his goals against them have come at Anfield â only Andrey Arshavin has netted more against the Reds with all of them coming away from home (5).
Hugo Ekitiké has scored four goals in his last two Premier League games, netting braces against Leeds and Brighton. Only Luis Suárez has netted multiple goals in three consecutive Premier League games for Liverpool (4 in December 2013).
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank says he "feels supported" by the club despite their recent run of poor results and his players are "with me or going in the same direction."
Frank's side were beaten 3-0 by Nottingham Forest last weekend and have posted just one win in their past seven Premier League games.
They sit 11th in the table with 22 points from 16 games before facing defending champions Liverpool on Saturday.
And before the Reds' visit to north London, Spurs centre-back Micky van de Ven said in an interview that he "never expected" the club to sack Frank's predecessor Ange Postecoglou and claimed to "still believe" in the Australian's system.
Asked whether it was difficult for the players to buy into his system, Frank said: "No, I think it has been a good buy-in.
"You could say that from the beginning of the season we started quite well without being sensational.
"I thought we were very good in some games and good in other games. Like in every season, you have some setbacks and spells where it is maybe not going the right way, but I don't see anything that they're not with me or going in the same direction."
Frank has endured a difficult start to life at Tottenham since joining them in June after seven years at Brentford, who he guided from the Championship to the Premier League in 2021.
The Dane's performance had come under increasing internal scrutiny following a home defeat by Fulham on 29 November which came as part of a run of one win in eight, while sections of Spurs supporters have also voiced frustrations with Frank.
However, the manager insists he retains the backing from the club hierarchy.
"I feel supported. I've done that the whole time," said the 52-year-old.
"This is not a quick fix. This will take time. That's not to say that we're not going to do everything we can to beat Liverpool.
"I'm very comfortable and confident that I will, how can I say, fix it, but just to make sure it's not me. When this club comes out on top, there will be a lot of good people working together, aligned at the same time through the years.
"I just know one thing I'm pretty good at - I'm good at analysing things. I know what good looks like and I know where we should get [to], and... I'm 1,000% sure we haven't seen any club be successful unless they had key people in the right positions for a long time.
"And I'll back myself to be one of those key people to be in that position."
On team news: "Everyone is doing fine. It's the same players available. No-one new is available in the squad."
Frank admitted it was a "bad performance... no two ways about it" against Nottingham Forest. He said his side "lacked energy" and, while acknowledging that "mistakes happen in football", they "struggled to come back from that".
Looking ahead, Frank said that having a full week's training "definitely helps a lot", and added that he would be "very surprised" if the players "didn't have energy" for the upcoming game.
On support from the board: "I feel supported. I have felt that the whole time. My mind has not changed. We are building. I've said it many times, I am most critical of myself, but we have a lot of people that need to perform. I'm very comfortable and confident that I will fix it, but it is not just me. When this club comes out on top, there will be many good people working together and aligned for years."
On questions from fans: "There will always be fans questioning the coach, wherever you are. Then there will be the loyal ones that can see the perspective. First of all, I'd say to Spurs fans it's a privilege to be part of this big club. To fulfil that, there's a lot of stages we need to go through. We want to fulfil that. I'm working 24/7 to make sure we get everything right."
Frank also stressed that the players are buying into his methods and tactics, saying we "could see that from the beginning of the season". However, he said he accepts the progress so far has been "quite good but not sensational".
On finding consistency: "It's a fair comment. The best teams create a stamina where they are very resilient to setbacks. That's something we're working hard on. That's not a quick fix. The Fulham game was not a great start, tough 30 minutes - but we worked our way back. We didn't get the fantastic comeback, but it was a good step - mentality, character wise. It's bit by bit."
Frank also praised Archie Gray's mentality following his mistake against Nottingham Forest, highlighting that the youngster "wanted the ball back instantly" and reminding that "everyone who has played football at this level has made a mistake".
On Liverpool: "They are an excellent team. They are the champions. They started well. They have great players. Ekitike, Isak, Wirtz, and one of the best midfields in the league last year. It is a very good team, but I know we can compete at a high level and compete very well."