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“It was a reckless challenge,” Slot said. “I’ve said a lot about the tackle of Xavi Simons, 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 van de Ven, if you make a tackle like that 10 times, 10 times there is a serious chance the player gets a serious injury.”

Van de Ven, who has spoken to Isak since the incident, escaped punishment for the challenge, and Frank defended his player while praising his competitiveness.

“No, I'm obviously disagreeing,” Frank said. “In many ways, I think we are talking about a defender in Micky van de Ven that will do everything he can to avoid the goal, so it's a transition.

“He's sprinting back in, this ball slides down the side, and he does everything he can to see if he can block that shot, so he's sliding. Unfortunately, Isak's planted his foot straight there, and that makes it look worse than it is. I think that would be a natural reaction for any defender.

“I'll put it this way: if my defender doesn't do that, then I don't think they are true defenders.

“He's a very fair and competitive player. That's one thing. The other thing, you also know that the two players have sorted it out, so that's a good sign of how they've sorted it out. A good sign.”

Asked whether he thought Slot’s comments could change a referee’s perception of Van de Ven, Frank said it was not in the 24-year-old’s character to act maliciously.

“I hope not,” he continued. “I don't really understand the comment, but that's not for me to be too clever about.

“I just think if you look at that, there's not too much in it and it's the first time, as you said, so I don't think it will be a problem.”

The Dane has so far been reluctant to give opportunities to some of Spurs’ brightest academy talents this season.

But that could change in the new year with a number of players on the cusp of breaking through to the first team.

Handed his senior debut by Thomas Frank in the closing stages of Spurs’ 3-0 win over Doncaster in September, Luca Williams-Barnett is considered the next great hope coming out of the club’s academy.

The 17-year-old attacking midfielder has been in and around the first team since last season, and is expected to kick on after gaining the trust of Frank. He was most recently seen scoring five goals in the UEFA Youth League against Slavia Prague.

Having started England’s opening group game on the bench, the Luton-born attacker scored twice, including a superb solo goal, as the Three Lions thrashed Haiti 8-1 in their next group game before being knocked out by Austria in the quarter-finals.

Frank praised Williams-Barnett after his debut, but said the next step in his development would be tough as he looks for more regular first-team minutes.

“I think that definitely over the last many years the focus on the talent development and academies across the world is so big,” Frank said in September.

“But one thing is the debut when you're 16. The next step, and much more important, is how Luca or other players take those steps forward. It's very tough to keep going and then get into the first team as a really regular player. But the first step is very important.”

Tynan Thompson only signed his first professional contract in May, but has already caught the attention of Frank, who named him on the bench during Spurs’ 5-3 defeat away to PSG last month.

The 17-year-old winger has been in superb form in the UEFA Youth League, netting seven goals in six games, including a hat-trick in the recent rout of Slavia Prague.

Capable of going inside and outside, the pacy winger has variety and end product to his game, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists in all competitions this season.

Thompson is still waiting for his senior debut, but with Frank yet to settle on a first-choice left winger, there could be opportunities for the youngster.

Named on the bench against Doncaster, alongside Williams-Barnett and Thompson, the 17-year-old has regularly trained with the first team and went on the club’s pre-season tour of Hong Kong and South Korea.

The England youth international, who has been in and around the first team since he was 15, recently signed his first professional contract at Spurs.

Tottenham can feel disappointed not to have taken anything from their defeat to Liverpool, but ultimately they only have themselves to blame.

Spurs sensed an opportunity against Arne Slot’s side and were the better team until their overzealousness got the better of them and Xavi Simons was sent off late in the first half.

There was no malicious intent from Simons, but his follow-through on Virgil van Dijk was late, high and unnecessary.

It was not the first time Simons had made a challenge which had given the referee a decision to make, and Thomas Frank must get on top of ill-discipline at Spurs.

No team has accumulated more yellow cards in the Premier League than Spurs this season, and when games become frenzied their emotions get frayed.

Frank demanded a reaction after his side’s limp performance at Nottingham Forest but, with his team reduced to 10 and then nine men, Spurs let a game in which they had the measure of their opposition slip away from them.

It has felt as though Frank has been putting out fires since he arrived at Spurs, with little time to showcase why he was brought to the club in the first place.

With Simons suffering a crisis of confidence, his man management skills need to come to the fore. He simply needs the 22-year-old’s signing to be a success.

Cristian Romero’s dismissal deep into stoppage time is a different issue entirely. Frank needs more from his captain.

In defending Romero post-game, Frank lauded the Argentinian’s impact at Spurs. Privately, though, he will feel let down.

Spurs had all the momentum as they chased a late equaliser against Liverpool, but that was soon snuffed out when Romero was awarded a second yellow card for reacting to Ibrahima Konate’s tackle.

Romero plays on emotion and channelled that in a positive way in scoring twice to rescue a draw away to Newcastle this month.

But his dismissal against Liverpool came at a time when Frank desperately needs some control.

Heading into an away game at Crystal Palace after Christmas, Spurs will now be without Simons and Romero.

For Frank, there will be a real sense of frustration that the fallout from their defeat will focus on their disciplinary problems rather than the shoots of growth that Spurs exhibited at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs lose two more players for London derby against Crystal Palace but Radu Dragusin is back in first team picture

Tottenham will hope their injury issues ease up going into the new year

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Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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Tottenham will look to get back on track when they play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

The two sides suffered defeats in their final Premier League games before Christmas as Spurs were beaten at home by Liverpool despite a spirited effort with nine-men.

It is now back-to-back defeats for Thomas Frank's side just as it appeared they had turned a corner with successive wins over Brentford and Slavia Prague at the start of the month.

Spurs go into this weekend's London derby hoping to avoid a third straight loss but will be without captain Cristian Romero and Xavi Simons against Palace after being sent-off against Liverpool.

Player discipline and the result did overshadow the fact that Radu Dragusin was named on the bench as he nears a return from injury and there's hope one or two more aren't too far away.

With that in mind, here is the latest Tottenham injury news and return dates…

Dominic Solanke

Dominic Solanke "progressing forward" is the latest positive update regarding the Tottenham striker.

Solanke has been out of action since the end of August with an ankle issue and belatedly underwent surgery in October.

Amid concerns about his rehabilitation, Solanke recently posted an image of himself in a Spurs shirt on Instagram, captioned with hourglasses, suggesting a return could come sooner rather than later.

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While a return did not transpire against Nottingham Forest or Liverpool, Frank did reveal on Friday that he is excited about having Solanke available for selection in the near future.

"I'm looking forward to naming [Solanke] in the squad," Frank said. "He is progressing forward."

Potential return date: January 2026

Dominic Solanke is nearing a return to action for Tottenham

Getty Images

Destiny Udogie

Destiny Udogie has been ruled out until January with a hamstring injury, which leaves very little room for Frank to rotate his full-backs during the festive period.

Frank confirmed that Udogie had suffered a soft tissue injury, after the left-back was missing for the win over Brentford.

Asked at the time how long Udogie will be out for, Frank said: “Not too long. He got a soft tissue injury, unfortunately, against Newcastle.”

But a new update came a few days later, with a longer timeline: “Destiny picked up a hamstring injury in the end of the Newcastle game, so he’s out until January, unfortunately.”

Potential return date: January 2026

Dejan Kulusevski

Another player with a shot at a comeback early in the new year is Dejan Kulusevski.

Kulusevski has been out since the end of last season with a patella injury but he was back on grass during last month’s international break.

Frank has said previously there is a “good chance” that the playmaker could return in 2025 but that seems unlikely with just one game remaining of the calendar year.

Potential return date: January 2026

Kota Takai

Kota Takai is yet to feature for Tottenham since his arrival from Kawasaki Frontale in the summer.

Frank said before Spurs’ defeat by Chelsea that Takai would “be training soon”, but the young defender has not make any of the matchday squads in recent weeks.

He has, however, been pictured in action with the club’s under-21 side. He played 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly against National League South side Dagenham & Redbridge.

It remains unclear, though, when he will be back in the first team fold.

Potential return date: Unknown

James Maddison

James Maddison is expected to miss most of the season since undergoing surgery on a torn ACL sustained in a pre-season friendly with Newcastle.

Appearing recently on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football show, the midfielder offered an update.

“I'm doing really well for the stage that I'm at, it’s obviously a long injury I have got, I had a big knee surgery,” he said.

Injury update: James Maddison

X | @SkySportsPL

“More than anything right now it’s just about staying in the right mindset.

“I’ve had to accept and get over the fact that I’m going to be out for a long time.

Potential return date: Summer 2026

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Thomas Frank has said he does not understand why Xavi Simons will be suspended for three games after his sending off during Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool.

While Frank did not dispute the midfielder’s dismissal, he expressed his frustration at the fact that Simons, who will be ineligible to play against Crystal Palace, Brentford, and Sunderland, will now serve a three-game ban.

“The first red which I have seen before, I also said before definitely a few times at Brentford and I have seen others, I don’t like this 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 said in his post-match press conference.

“He is chasing Van Dijk. He is trying to put pressure and then he changes direction. Unfortunately his foot is on (Van Dijk’s) Achilles. You can say ‘ah, you need to be smarter, don’t do it and all that’ but so are we not allowed to have physical contact anymore?

“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.”

Having fought their way back into the game, with Richarlison coming off the bench to halve the deficit after Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike had given Liverpool a two-goal lead, Spurs were reduced to nine men in second-half stoppage time as Cristian Romero was shown a second yellow card for a push on Ibrahima Konate.

On Romero’s dismissal, Frank admitted he had not seen the incident that led to his first yellow card, but said he felt Romero was unlucky to be given his marching orders for reacting to Konate’s tackle.

“I also think we got on the wrong end on two. You can see there's probably a reason why the whole team reacted as they do. I think that's probably a good indicator,” Frank continued.

“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. 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.”

“I think any player needs to control their emotions and be cool-headed. It's not only because you're a captain that you need to be exceptionally cool-headed. That's also always good, of course.

Tottenham’s spirited performance with a player disadvantage offers some hope despite another defeat

Thomas Frank had to usher Cristian Romero off the pitch following his red card against Liverpool

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Sam Tabuteau

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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Nine-man Tottenham came close to staging a late comeback as they were beaten 2-1 by Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs started the better of the two teams, but were reduced to ten men after Xavi Simons was sent off for a late challenge on Virgil Van Dijk.

Liverpool took charge after half-time and scored twice in ten minutes through Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike to make their advantage count.

Richarlison gave Spurs, who saw Cristian Romero sent off in stoppage time, a lifeline, coming off the bench to score with seven minutes to play, but Liverpool held on for all three points.

Here are three things Sam Tabuteau learned from a valiant Spurs display...

Frank needs to get around Simons after sending off

Xavi Simons’ red card just past the half-hour mark changed the whole complexion of the game.

Up to that point, Spurs had enjoyed the better of the play and carved out the only meaningful opportunity when Randal Kolo Muani headed straight at Alisson.

However, the Dutchman’s late challenge on Virgil Van Dijk gave referee John Brooks little other option than to send him off.

Marching orders: Xavi Simons

AFP via Getty Images

This will be yet another lesson for Simons in what has been a difficult start to life in north London, having scored just twice in all competitions since his £51million move from RB Leipzig in the summer.

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The 22-year-old has threatened to be punished before for being late in the tackle, and he will now miss Spurs’ next three games.

Frank, so renowned for his man management, must get around Simons, who looked visibly upset as he left the pitch.

After a slow start to his Tottenham career, Simons had begun to show signs of improvement, scoring a spectacular solo goal against Brentford. It is important that Frank does not let this latest incident dictate his season.

Tottenham supporters rally behind players

Spurs showed plenty of spirit as they came close to staging a late comeback against Liverpool. Despite defeat, this was a performance to be proud of.

Frank’s side had been the better team at the start of the first half, but a man down and with Liverpool two goals to the good, there seemed little possibility of getting anything out of the game.

Tottenham, though, spurred on by the home support, conjured up a reaction and grabbed a goal back when Richarlison finished coolly inside the area.

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been, at times, a mutinous place to play football - Spurs have, after all, endured their fewest home wins in a calendar year in 2025.

Tonight, though, Spurs’ supporters rallied behind their players, a reaction to what they were seeing on the pitch.

Richarlison gave Tottenham hope with a goal off the bench

AFP via Getty Images

While clear-cut chances were few and far between, Tottenham’s pressure late on was unrelenting, and Liverpool, in the end, were made to hold on despite Cristian Romero also seeing red deep into stoppage time.

Another home loss leaves Spurs in 13th place, just nine points clear of the relegation zone.

However, Frank can take positives from his side’s performance; this was a far cry from the limp display they put in against Nottingham Forest last weekend.

Romero's dismissal highlights discipline issue that threatens to undermine Frank

This was an emotional game, and Tottenham, having come so close to grabbing an unlikely equaliser, can feel disappointed.

Disappointment, though, is not an excuse for ill-discipline, and Cristian Romero should have known better than to let his emotions get the better of him in stoppage time.

With Spurs in the ascendancy, Romero was given his marching orders, picking up a second yellow card for hitting out at Ibrahima Konate.

It was needless from the Spurs captain, and threatened to derail all the good work Frank’s side had done in clawing their way back into the game.

Cristian Romero had an evening to forget against Liverpool

AFP via Getty Images

After a torrid personal display, in which he ceded possession for Liverpool’s opener before being beaten in the air as the visitors doubled their lead through Ekitike, Romero’s sending off felt like the reaction of someone frustrated with himself and not focused on driving the team forward.

Frank needs more from his captain in these situations, and after his battling performance away to Newcastle, it felt like the 27-year-old had turned a corner.

When Spurs were crying out for some composure, Romero saw red, and he will now miss next weekend’s trip to Selhurst Park.

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Sam Tabuteau

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Tottenham, down to nine-men, were unable to stage a late comeback as they were beaten 2-1 by Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs started the better of the two teams, but were reduced to ten-men after Xavi Simons was sent off for a late challenge on Virgil Van Dijk.

Liverpool took charge after half-time and scored twice in ten minutes through Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike to make their advantage count.

Richarlison gave Spurs a lifeline, coming off the bench to score with seven minutes to play, but after Cristian Romero was sent-off for a second bookable offence, Liverpool held on for all three points.

Sam Tabuteau rated the Spurs players at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium...

Guglielmo Vicario 6

Made a few smart saves, but there was little he could do about Liverpool’s goals.

Pedro Porro 6

Linked up well with Kudus early on, but was penned back in his own half once Simons was sent off. Alisson gratefully claimed his late cross into the area.

Cristian Romero 2

It was Romero’s poor pass that was easily intercepted as Liverpool took the lead through Isak, and he had to be stronger as Ekitike headed in the second. He was sent off in stoppage time to cap a wretched personal performance.

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Micky van de Ven 5

The Dutch centre-half had spoken about Isak’s threat in the week, and he was punished by the Liverpool forward in ruthless fashion.

Djed Spence 7

Offered an outlet in attack, with some nice driving runs. At times, he carried the Spurs attack by himself. Unlucky to see Frimpong’s cross deflect off him and into the path of Ektike for Liverpool’s second.

Archie Gray 6

Frank kept faith in the teenager, and in difficult conditions, he competed well as Spurs tried to restrict Liverpool.

Rodrigo Bentancur 6

Given a thankless task after Spurs were reduced to 10 men, but he did not hide from his responsibility.

Mohammed Kudus 4

Slowed play down with some poor touches, while his passing in tight areas was sloppy. Difficult for the Ghanaian to influence the game once Tottenham were reduced to 10. He was replaced shortly after losing the ball in the lead-up to Liverpool’s opener.

Lucas Bergvall 5

Brought into the team ahead of Richarlison, he provided Spurs with an out ball after they were reduced to 10 men.

Xavi Simons 2

Sent off just past the half-hour mark. Simons has threatened to be punished before for being late in the tackle, and will now miss Spurs’ next three games.

Randal Kolo Muani 6

Put himself about, but should have done better with a free header in the first half. Nearly pulled Tottenham level when his ball was deflected onto the crossbar.

Substitutes

Brennan Johnson 5

Tried to make things happen as Tottenham made a late push for an equaliser, but was unable to create any clear-cut chances.

Wilson Odobert 6

Caused all sorts of panic with his direct running. His late cross forced a flying save from Alisson.

Joao Palhinha 6

Did well to keep the ball alive for Richarlison’s goal. Tough in the tackle to keep Tottenham pushing forward.

Richarlison 8

Dragged Spurs back into the game with a composed finish in a packed penalty area.

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