{"id":18083,"date":"2025-12-21T17:34:36","date_gmt":"2025-12-21T17:34:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/21\/virgil-van-dijk-reveals-conversation-with-xavi-simons-after-red-card-challenge\/"},"modified":"2025-12-21T17:34:36","modified_gmt":"2025-12-21T17:34:36","slug":"virgil-van-dijk-reveals-conversation-with-xavi-simons-after-red-card-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/21\/virgil-van-dijk-reveals-conversation-with-xavi-simons-after-red-card-challenge\/","title":{"rendered":"Virgil van Dijk reveals conversation with Xavi Simons after red card challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk was fouled by compatriot Xavi Simmons and the Tottenham star was sent off for a challenge that cost the Premier League champions<\/h2>\n
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\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/span>Tottenham Hotspur’s Xavi Simmons reacts to Virgil van Dijk<\/span>(Image: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
Virgil van Dijk does not believe Tottenham star Xavi Simons tried to hurt him, but did not reveal the nature of his conversation with his international team-mate. The Dutch midfielder was sent off after hitting the Liverpool ace’s Achilles tendon.<\/p>\n
VAR intervened after Simmons was initially given a yellow card after the match remained scoreless. Cristian Romero was also given his marching orders as Thomas Frank’s side chased the game, as the Reds cruised to a 2-1 win in north London.<\/p>\n
Referee John Brooks was advised by Stockley Park officials to reassess the incident and as a result upgraded the penalty to a straight red card. In a statement, the Premier League Match Center said: “Following a VAR review, the referee overturned his initial decision to award Simmons a yellow card and issued a red card for serious foul play.”<\/p>\n
“The referee’s statement: “After review, Tottenham’s No. 7 with studs catches the Liverpool player (No. 4) at calf height. This is a serious foul. My final decision is a red card.”<\/p>\n
Liverpool veteran Van Dijk admitted he was hurt by the challenge. The defender seemed confident that the foul was not malicious.<\/p>\n
read more: Transfer News LIVE: Arsenal ‘contact’, Semenyo backs club, Manchester United backs with \u00a343m offer<\/span><\/span>read more: Liverpool star Hugo Ekitike issues instructions following injury to Alexander Isak<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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“I don’t think he intended to hurt me, but obviously he hurt me and the referee and VAR took the decision to send him off,” Van Dijk added. “Yeah, I talked to him (after the game). It’s a conversation that no one needs to know.”<\/p>\n
Simmons said the challenge was simply a mistake and apologized to his compatriots and Spurs fans.<\/p>\n
“Mistakes happen,” he said on social media. “Varg is my captain and I would never intentionally hurt him or anyone else. I take responsibility for this and I am truly sorry to my Spurs team-mates, the manager and the fans.”<\/p>\n
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\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/span>Virgil van Dijk fouled by Xavi Simmons <\/span>(Image: Alex Pantling\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Spurs manager Frank was in disbelief that his player had been criticized so harshly because of the accident. “I’ve seen them given, but I don’t like this to be a red card,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s not reckless, it’s not extraordinary strength. He chased Van Dijk and changed direction, but unfortunately his foot was on his Achilles tendon.<\/p>\n
“We will no longer be allowed physical contact and he will be entitled to three games. That is absolutely wrong and there will probably be no appeal.”<\/p>\n
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![\"Tottenham](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36435625.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Tottenham-Hotspur-v-Liverpool-Premier-League.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"virgil](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36436977.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2252866483.jpg\")
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