Liverpool.com

Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank has declined to discuss his club's reported interest in signing Liverpool defender Andy Robertson after Spurs were linked with a January move for the Scotland international

Tottenham's head coach, Thomas Frank, remained tight-lipped when questioned about the club's reported transfer discussions for seasoned Liverpool defender Andy Robertson.

Spurs have reached out to the Reds regarding the potential signing of Robertson this month. The initial plan was to secure the left-back in the summer, coinciding with the expiration of the Scotland international's contract at Anfield, but recent developments have prompted a reconsideration of this timeline.

Frank faced questions on this topic for the first time following his team's 2-2 draw against Burnley on Saturday. When asked if the two-time Premier League champion could have bolstered Spurs' defence in a match they were perilously close to losing to the top-flight's 19th-placed side at Turf Moor, the Danish coach deflected.

"Just on that one, in general you don't know me that well, I don't speak about players that are not in the club, except (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi," Frank responded, adding: "So, that's no comment."

Spurs' interest in the Liverpool left-back comes hot on the heels of their announcement of the acquisition of Souza from Santos on Thursday.

The 19-year-old operates in the same position, and Frank hailed him as "one of the brightest left-back talents in the world" in Spurs' announcement.

The London outfit already boasts Destiny Udogie, Djed Spence and Ben Davies as potential choices for the role. Robertson himself is still mulling over his future, having recently disclosed that contract renewal discussions have commenced with Liverpool.

He said: "We'll see what happens. We've had chats now, which will remain private. I've spoken to them, and we'll see what happens.

"Would I like to stay? Yes, but it's a difficult question to ask. I've got five months left, and we need to see the option to stay or if there's options to go and things like that.

"I'll sit down with my family and decide. After a stressful summer, I'm just trying to enjoy being a part of it and being a Liverpool player.

"I wanted to qualify for the World Cup and, thankfully, we've managed to do that. I need to see what myself and my family wants moving forward."

The 31-year-old has frequently been a substitute this season for Liverpool, as head coach Arne Slot has favored Milos Kerkez.

This was once again the case on Saturday, following Spurs' draw at Turf Moor, as Kerkez was selected to start against his former team.

However, Robertson was brought on as an unexpected half-time replacement for the Hungarian, with the Reds trailing 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium.

Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones is attracting interest from Tottenham, with former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp having previously called him an "exceptional talent"

Jurgen Klopp has already expressed his views on Tottenham target Curtis Jones by lavishing praise on the Liverpool midfielder.

With Thomas Frank facing immense pressure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and injuries accumulating with each passing fixture, Spurs looked to the transfer market earlier this month, securing former Chelsea star Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid.

But with Pape Sarr becoming unwell at the Africa Cup of Nations, Rodrigo Bentancur sidelined for an extended period through injury and Joao Palhinha absent from Saturday's 2-1 loss to West Ham, another midfield reinforcement might be required in London. Reports indicate that Jones, who has experienced limited game time under Arne Slot this season, is a player Tottenham has contemplated.

The Englishman enjoys the backing of Klopp, who guided him through Liverpool's academy system.

The Times reports that Spurs are interested in the 24-year-old, who has only begun 10 Premier League fixtures this season, though it remains unclear whether this interest continues following Tottenham's acquisition of Gallagher from Atletico.

Speaking in 2020, Klopp was thoroughly impressed by a young Jones following his exceptional display in a 7-2 Carabao Cup triumph over Lincoln. He had been steadily introducing the midfielder into Liverpool's senior squad.

When asked about Jones, who netted twice in the victory, Klopp was brimming with praise and remarked: "First half really good, start of the second half really good. There is still space for improvement, but everyone knows my opinion of Curtis Jones.

He is an exceptional talent, and we will have some fun with him, I am pretty sure, in the future.

"Both goals were difficult. The second one, the first touch was absolutely exceptional between two opponents, and then he opens up and sees the opportunity and finishes it off."

In subsequent years, Jones would establish himself as a crucial component of Klopp's squad, claiming two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cup medals.

When Klopp departed Liverpool in 2024, a documentary was created about his tenure in charge, and he once more delivered glowing praise for the English midfielder.

"He was never in doubt that he will make it, which I love that so much," said Klopp. "It's so different to my personality. I have no idea how I arrived here, he knows he's absolutely in the right place.

"I always could understand the player. That they hated me if they didn't come on or didn't start, or whatever, because I was no different.

"So when I go and tell him, 'Curtis, you have to pass the ball more often.' And he has to learn that the ball from now on when he passes to whoever, there's a good chance he will do something special, or you'll get it back."

After Manchester United and Chelsea opted to fire their under-pressure head since the turn of the year, while Tottenham and Liverpool have, so far, opted against pulling the trigger

Thomas Frank gave a telling response to questions about the latest round of Premier League managerial dismissals, which will resonate at Liverpool.

Two of the division’s elite sides have sacked their head coaches in the last week, with Manchester United dismissing Ruben Amorim on Monday, while Enzo Maresca was relieved of his duties at Chelsea on New Year’s Day.

Frank has also faced scrutiny this season, especially with Tottenham Hotspur currently 13th in the table and closer in terms of points to 17th place than the top four. He, along with Arne Slot at Liverpool, has survived the intense media spotlight and calls from a certain proportion of fans for them to be sacked.

Frank insisted that Spurs and other clubs would see long-term benefits if they stick with their head coaches, a sentiment that Liverpool can certainly relate with.

“I'll probably repeat my answer from the last press conference [about Maresca]. We don't know what's happened behind the scenes, that's up to you guys, or journalists following Man United closely,” Frank said, when asked about recent events at Old Trafford.

“It can be something with the head coach, something with the ownership, leadership, it can be misalignment, whatever.

“Most likely, the most common reason that a head coach is either stopping or getting sacked. I think it's just another example from my point of view, that it's very difficult to achieve sustainable success if you change key personnel in clubs, like the head coach, like the sports directors.

“I think if you think you have the right ones and you're aligned, you need to do it over a long time.

“So now it's two clubs with one and a half years. Again, I'm not judging it, I'm just saying that's actually the fact.

“In that sense, there could be many reasons for it, I just don't know. In this fantastic, beautiful football world, you win one day and play well, you're in heaven, you lose, and you don't play that well, and you're in hell.

“The best clubs, they are aligned: ownership, leadership, and head coach, over time, and you keep the noise out, and you look at the progress behind it.

“It goes up and down, and hopefully over time, more and more up. Then you achieve something big together.

“The three biggest, latest examples of that, of course, are Liverpool, [Manchester] City, and Arsenal.”

Liverpool's 2-1 win over Tottenham earlier this month was marred by two controversial red cards, a questionable goal being awarded, and a robust challenge that went unpunished.

The Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel has ruled that four controversial referee decisions from Liverpool’s win over Tottenham Hotspur two weeks ago were all correct.

The Reds won 2-1 in an ill-tempered game in North London, which saw Spurs finish with nine players. Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero were shown red cards, although Liverpool struggled to contain the depleted Tottenham in the latter stages of the game.

Simons was shown a straight red card in the 33rd minute when he trod on the back of Virgil van Dijk’s calf. Referee John Brooks originally issued a yellow card, but after reviewing the footage at the pitchside monitor, he upgraded the penalty to a red card.

Romero’s dismissal was equally as needless, with the Tottenham center-back shown a second booking in the latter stages of the game for kicking out at Ibrahima Konate.

Thomas Frank was disappointed with both calls and felt that neither necessarily warranted a red card.

The Spurs boss also lamented the decision to permit Hugo Ekitike’s second-half goal. The Frenchman nodded in from Jeremie Frimpong’s cross, but replays showed his hands were placed on the back of Romero, who dropped to the turf following the slight touch.

“That's unbelievable, it's a huge mistake,” Frank told Sky Sports after the game. “I think there's something about the red you can discuss and the two yellows that you can discuss in a lot of ways, but the second one is a huge mistake.”

However, the Premier League’s KMI panel, which reviews decisions made by referees, has concluded it was correct to allow the goal as there was “not enough contact for a foul”.

The KMI panel also agreed with the decisions to send off Simons and Romero, and ruled that Micky van de Ven should not have been shown a red card for his leg-breaking tackle on Alexander Isak.

The Liverpool striker netted the opening goal in the 56th minute, but Van de Ven’s desperate lunge to try and prevent it saw him clatter into Isak’s standing leg, resulting in a fibula fracture and ankle injury that required surgery.

Arne Slot slammed the decision not to send off his fellow Dutchman.

“It was a reckless challenge,” said the Liverpool head coach. “I've said a lot about the tackle of Xavi Simons [who was sent off], which for me was completely unintentional. I don't think you will ever get an injury out of a tackle like that.

“But the tackle of [Micky] van de Ven, if you make a tackle like that 10 times, 10 times there is a chance the player gets a serious injury.”

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero was shown a second yellow card during his side's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at the weekend, and has now been charged by The FA for his reaction

The Football Association has slapped Cristian Romero with a charge for allegedly failing to promptly exit the pitch and behaving improperly towards the referee after his red card against Liverpool.

Romero became the second Spurs player to be sent off during the Reds' 2-1 win on Saturday, after Xavi Simons saw red for a late challenge on Virgil van Dijk. The Tottenham captain was shown a second yellow card late on in the game after he kicked out at Ibrahima Konate, before angrily remonstrating with referee John Brooks.

An official statement from The FA spokesperson reads: "Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero has been charged following their Premier League match against Liverpool on Saturday 20 December. It's alleged that he acted in an improper manner by failing to promptly leave the field of play and/or behaving in a confrontational and/or aggressive manner towards the match referee after being sent off in the 93rd minute.

"Cristian Romero has until Friday 2 January 2026 to respond."

This deadline falls a day after Tottenham's New Year's Day clash with Brentford, and two days before it hosts Sunderland.

Romero will certainly miss Spurs' fixture against Crystal Palace on 28 December due to the automatic one-match suspension incurred from receiving two yellow cards in the same game, reports Football London.

Spurs head coach Thomas Frank expressed his displeasure at the decision to dismiss Romero. He stated: "You can see there's probably a reason why the whole team reacted as they do. I think that's probably a good indicator.

"Normally, if it's one player reacting, if it's the whole team, probably because there's something about it. I think we all played football enough and seen enough football that there's something probably around that.

"So, I can't see if it's right or wrong that he gives the first yellow. The second yellow, I see two big boys competing; Konate absolutely smashing through Cuti [Romero].

"It's a foul, I'm not saying more. His foot landed on Cuti's head. Not a yellow, I'm not saying that.

"Cuti makes a reaction. I think I guess it can be given, but also I guess it can be not given."

The Liverpool forward is set for a prolonged period on the sidelines after suffering a broken leg in the win over Tottenham, but there has been a backlash after he walked off the pitch, supported by club medical staff

Former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy has slammed Liverpool for a “dereliction of care” over the club’s handling of Alexander Isak’s injury.

It was confirmed on Monday that Isak sustained a broken fibula and also suffered an ankle injury in the 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur. The ex-Newcastle United striker underwent surgery to address the issue, and Arne Slot confirmed on Tuesday that he is not expecting Isak to return for several months.

The 26-year-old was in clear discomfort when his foot got caught under Micky van de Ven’s outstretched leg, as he scored the opening goal of the game. Isak immediately signalled to the bench that he was in real discomfort and had to be helped off the field by Liverpool’s medical staff.

But Cundy was astonished that a stretcher was not called for to ensure his safe withdrawal from the pitch.

“I find it astonishing that they are commodities worth multi-millions of pounds, in his case, over £100M,” the radio host said on talkSPORT’s The Sports Bar.

“It’s a dereliction of care that they got him to walk off that field. There was a stretcher.

“You and I were doing the phone-in and I said ‘He’s walking off’ and you said ‘the stretcher is behind’,” he added, speaking to cohost Jamie O’Hara.

“I just do not get it. I cannot believe they made him walk on a broken leg. Just think about that, a professional athlete, Liverpool has played well in excess of £100M, and making him walk off the field to play with a broken leg, dereliction of care.

“And it's not just Liverpool, by the way they're all at it,” Cundy continued. “I just saw Bruno [Fernandes] come off the field to play yesterday; he's done a hamstring and he's then walking back down the touchline.

“I've done a hamstring, I've done a bad one, like grade three, so his is not that bad, but give him a crutch to walk. Protect the injury.

“I don't get it. Straight after the injury, hasn't been assessed, wrap him in cotton wool.

“Isak, limping off, he was in tears. You saw him. He knew he'd done something bad.

“I was angry watching it. I can only imagine how he might feel now. It's their job to care for his well-being, for his fitness and his health. Get the little buggies on to protect that player.”

The club has revealed the full extent of the injury suffered to Alexander Isak in Saturday's win over Tottenham Hotspur, with the forward hurting himself as he scored the opening goal of the game

Liverpool has confirmed Alexander Isak underwent surgery on the leg injury he sustained against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

Arne Slot is expected to provide an update on the situation on Tuesday, but the club announced ahead of the head coach's press conference at the AXA Training Centre that Isak suffered a fractured fibula and ankle injury as a result of the strong challenge from Micky van de Ven.

The Tottenham defender slid in and caught Isak high on the leg as he converted Florian Wirtz's pass to score the opening goal of the game.

The former Newcastle United man appeared in immediate discomfort and had to be helped off the pitch by two members of staff.

"It's difficult to know what he exactly has," Slot said immediately after the game. "But it's never a nice thing that after the goal he collided with their defender. Hopefully he's fine, but we have to wait and see."

Reports subsequently emerged that Isak had sustained a serious, long-term problem, and perhaps even a broken leg. That prognosis was confirmed by Liverpool on Monday, along with the news that no timescale has been placed on Isak's recovery.

"Alexander Isak today successfully underwent surgery on the injury he sustained on Saturday," the club said via a statement.

"The Liverpool striker was injured in a challenge in the process of scoring the opening goal against Tottenham Hotspur and had to be substituted.

"After diagnosis, an operation was completed today on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture.

"Isak's rehabilitation will now continue at the AXA Training Centre, with no timeframe yet placed on his return."

The injury is a hammer blow to Liverpool. Slot's small squad has already been diminished by Giovanni Leoni's season-ending injury, while Mohamed Salah is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt.

The news also continues Isak's nightmare start at Liverpool since his record-breaking £125 million ($168M) transfer on deadline day.

The 26-year-old arrived lacking match fitness and, after finally being declared match fit by Slot, suffered a groin injury days later.

He recovered in late November, but his performances have underwhelmed in the weeks since.

Isak did manage to score his first Premier League goal in win over West Ham on November 30, and Saturday's strike against Spurs was just his second in the league since joining Liverpool.

Liverpool's £125m record signing Alexander Isak suffered a suspected broken leg whilst scoring in Saturday's 2-1 win at Tottenham, but his previous injury experience at Newcastle could provide insight

Liverpool is bracing itself for record signing Alexander Isak to face a lengthy period out of action after sustaining a suspected broken leg during Saturday's 2-1 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur.

The 26 year old picked up the injury whilst netting the opener, coming down awkwardly following a late sliding tackle from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven. The challenge left the Swedish striker grasping his leg in agony and unable to join his teammates in celebration. Medical personnel attended to him before he limped off to make way for Jeremie Frimpong, who was himself later withdrawn after being caught by a wayward arm from Richarlison.

Initial reports indicate that an MRI scan will likely confirm Liverpool's deepest concerns that its record summer acquisition has indeed fractured his leg. Speaking directly after the match, Reds manager Arne Slot commented: "It's difficult to know what he exactly has. But it's never a nice thing that after the goal he collided with their defender. Hopefully he's fine, but we have to wait and see."

The setback represents a devastating blow for Liverpool, leaving the club with only Hugo Ekitike as a fit, recognised forward, with Cody Gakpo sidelined until the New Year and Mohamed Salah away representing his country at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Isak has struggled to settle into life at Anfield, managing just three goals in 16 outings across all competitions, but seemed to be discovering his rhythm after dispatching a clinical finish beyond Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

The British transfer fee record-holder will draw upon experience gained at St James' Park, where a series of injuries similarly threatened to disrupt his settling-in period at a new club, reports the Mirror.

Following his move to Newcastle from La Liga side Real Sociedad, Isak managed only three outings before sustaining a thigh problem whilst on international duty.

The striker would subsequently net 54 Premier League goals for the Magpies across just three campaigns, though he later credited Newcastle's patient approach to his setback as vital in enabling his explosive return to form.

Speaking to Swedish media outlet Fotbollskanalen, Isak revealed: "I got a thigh injury. The first six months at the club were tough and it took some time to come back from the injury, but it was still okay because I still got to play three games and show a bit.

"Then the team did so well that it took the pressure off me and I could focus on my rehab instead of thinking the team needed me. It helped a bit, but it's clear it wasn't easy."

The Swedish international was sidelined for four fixtures at the end of October and beginning of November due to a groin complaint and could now be facing up to six months on the treatment table if scans confirm he has fractured his leg.

The responsibility now falls on his team-mates to maintain the positive results and alleviate the immense pressure Isak is facing due to his hefty price tag.

Alexander Isak suffered a suspected leg break from Micky van de Ven's tackle during the match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with referee experts divided on whether it should have been a red card

Liverpool have received a fresh referee verdict on Micky van de Ven's challenge on Alexander Isak, which led to the striker suffering a suspected leg break.

Arne Slot's team clinched a narrow victory in north London on Saturday evening, with Isak netting the first goal in the second half. However, after his successful strike, a slide tackle from Van de Ven caught the striker's leg as he planted it, forcing him out of the game. The immediate reaction of his teammates painted a grim picture. A stretcher was summoned, but Isak managed to hobble off the pitch with assistance from Liverpool's medical team.

Initial fears among supporters suggested a potential ACL injury, but the club quickly dismissed this. Nevertheless, the suspected diagnosis is no less serious. Reports on Sunday hinted at a possible lower leg break, but the severity of the injury and the length of recovery time remain uncertain, with the club set to provide an update following scans, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Understandably, the incident sparked questions from spectators as to why Van de Ven wasn't penalised given the harshness of the tackle. Replays revealed that he lunged into the challenge with little chance of getting the ball, resulting in a severe injury.

The incident has sparked debate, with pundits on Sky Sports' Ref Watch split over whether it warranted a red card. Former professional Jay Bothroyd argued that whilst Van de Ven's intention would not have been to injure Isak, the reckless nature of the challenge merited a sending-off.

"Van de Ven has not intentionally tried to hurt Isak," he explained. "Obviously, he is desperate to stop a goal and he's coming across to stop the shot.

"This is an example where, yes, Isak has scored, but it should still be a red card. He's lunging, he's going into him. Every explanation you want to give for a red-card challenge is there. Because he's scored, they've let it go.

"He's lunged, he's out of control. He's trying to make a block but he's never going to get there. If that's in the middle of the park, that's a red card."

Former referee Dermot Gallagher disagreed, however, maintaining that the challenge was not a red-card offence and that the outcome of the tackle should not take precedence over its nature.

"I can't see that he's done anything that a footballer wouldn't," he explained. "I would be astonished if that was given as a red card anywhere on the field.

"Players mistime challenges all the time. He's slightly late... it's not a red card. Whether it be in the penalty area, in the D, the centre circle or the other half."

However, the two pundits did concur that the referee made the right call in sending off Xavi Simons for his tackle on Virgil van Dijk in the first half. The Dutchman's high and reckless challenge on his national team captain resulted in his studs making contact with the defender's calf.

"I want to make clear that I don't think Simons has any intention to do this, but he has done it," Gallagher commented on the Simons incident. "Once you see the replay, you can't unsee it.

"When VAR sees that, in modern football, it is always going to be a red card. He's unlucky, but he is always going to see red. You can't make challenges like that anymore."

Djed Spence was accused of diving during Tottenham's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, with Ian Wright calling it a 'blatant dive' as ex-referee Keith Hackett calls for retrospective punishment

Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has urged authorities to introduce retrospective bans for simulation, following Ian Wright's accusation that Tottenham's Djed Spence dived during Saturday's 2-1 loss to Liverpool.

The controversial moment unfolded in the 45th minute when Spence embarked on a surging run from deep within his own territory before tumbling inside the Liverpool penalty area after seemingly being clipped by Conor Bradley. However, replays revealed there was scant contact and no spot-kick was given, leaving Spurs and Thomas Frank seething.

Offering his assessment of the decision to deny Tottenham a penalty, Wright told Premier League Productions: "You can see the other player behind him. He's got no chance of getting that ball on the other side. So he's just knocked it inside and just wanted contact and got it. It's a blatant dive for me."

Now Hackett, a former FIFA-listed official, has called for suspensions to be imposed on players caught diving during matches, with Spence being the latest to face scrutiny, reports Football London.

Speaking to Tottenham News, Hackett said: "Sadly, going to ground to deceive the referee by an act of simulation is a regular occurrence in the modern game.

"It will continue if referees fail to sanction. I do believe that the authorities need to consider retrospective punishment for acts of simulation."

Tottenham almost managed to rescue a point against Liverpool on Saturday but couldn't secure a positive result from the encounter. The hosts ultimately succumbed to a 2-1 defeat, having battled with 10 men for over an hour.

The match remained evenly poised until Xavi Simons received his marching orders in the 33rd minute for a reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk. The contest remained tight until Liverpool stepped up a gear after the interval, with Alexander Isak firing the Reds into the lead with an excellent strike before Hugo Ekitike extended their lead moments later.

Spurs, who were reduced to nine players in second-half injury time when Cristian Romero was dismissed, managed to pull one back through Richarlison, but it was insufficient.

"I think overall it was a good performance tonight, proud of the players and the team and how they responded," Frank said post-match.

"I actually think the first 30 was also good from us and how we responded to setbacks through the game, something we have been working very hard on, because that is the biggest thing the best teams need to do.

"How do we respond to setbacks during a game because the best teams deal with it and move on and keep going, stick to the plan, we talked about it before, structure and everything. Today we did that excellently. There was great personality and character in the team."