Tottenham Hotspur’s heated clash with Liverpool on Saturday produced yet another controversy-filled chapter, as the Reds claimed a 2-1 win in a match dominated by red cards, contentious calls and constant tension.
Encounters between Spurs and Liverpool are rarely short of drama, and this latest meeting followed the same pattern. Although Liverpool edged the scoreline, it did little to capture the turmoil and intensity on display. Refereeing decisions and flashpoints played a major role, with Tottenham forced to battle on after having two players dismissed.
In the end, Liverpool scraped through with a hard-earned victory, but not without being pushed to their limits. Even down to nine men, Spurs showed grit and resilience, repeatedly challenging Liverpool and refusing to collapse. For long periods, their determination kept the result in doubt, underlining the collective spirit within Thomas Frank’s side despite the adversity.
The debate continued well beyond the final
whistle. On Tuesday, Liverpool manager Arne Slot criticised Micky van de Ven over a challenge on Alexander Isak, which he believes caused the forward’s fractured ankle, adding fuel to the ongoing argument over the match’s physicality and officiating.
Thomas Frank was just as vocal from the Tottenham side. The Spurs boss insisted referee John Brooks got all three key decisions wrong, claiming the red cards shown to Cristian Romero and Xavi Simons were overly severe. He also argued that Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike’s goal should have been disallowed, suggesting crucial moments repeatedly went against his team.
Romero, in particular, became the focal point of the controversy. Deep into stoppage time, after Tottenham had been awarded a free-kick, the Argentine defender appeared to lash out at Ibrahima Konaté while getting back to his feet. The incident earned him a second yellow card and a red, ending his night on a sour note. Former Premier League referee Darren Cann later labelled the act “petulant,” backing Brooks’ decision to send him off.
The drama didn’t stop there. On Wednesday, the Football Association confirmed Romero has been charged, not for the challenge itself, but for his behaviour after the dismissal. The FA alleges the Tottenham captain failed to leave the pitch promptly and acted inappropriately towards referee John Brooks.
An FA statement said:
“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.”
Romero will already miss Sunday’s league match against Crystal Palace due to the red card. After the defeat, Frank admitted his side must show greater composure, but also defended Romero, describing him as “passionate” and calling on other senior players to provide leadership when emotions run high.
The incident has once again highlighted questions around Romero’s temperament. While the World Cup winner is admired for his aggressive, proactive defending, that same intensity has at times crossed into recklessness. As captain and one of Tottenham’s key figures, the expectation is that he can better balance his edge with discipline, leading by example as Spurs navigate the challenges ahead.
