Keith Hackett reveals what ‘surprised’ him about ‘unnecessary’ Xavi Simons red card vs Liverpool
Xavi Simons deserved a straight sending-off for his challenge on Virgil van Dijk during Tottenham’s defeat to Liverpool on Saturday.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that referee John Brooks should have shown a red immediately on 20 December.
Cristian Romero was also given his marching orders as the Reds claimed a 2-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, having kicked out at Ibrahima Konate in added time.
It was a fully-fueled game between the two Premier League sides, as it always is, with Alexander Isak potentially breaking his leg while scoring what would turn out to be the winning goal.
Xavi Simons’ red card was the easiest decision of the weekend
Simons lasted just 33 minutes before being sent off, but only after the referee was sent to the pitch-side monitor to check the challenge, having dished out a yellow card to begin with.
It was just the first of eight yellow cards and two red cards in North London, with much of the attention taken away from goals for Hugo Ekitike, Isak, and Richarlison.
Brooks was accused of waiting for VAR to make decisions for him this weekend, and given just how blatant the Dutchman’s foul was, Hackett appears to agree with that notion.
Premier League referees have been under the microscope during the 2025-26 campaign, and that has not changed in the slightest this weekend.
John Brooks should not have needed VAR to send off Tottenham star
Hackett, exclusively speaking to Football Insider on The Final Whistle, was happy with the awarding of Simons’ red card, but admitted that it was a simple decision without the need for VAR.
“What surprised me is that John Brooks initially gave a yellow card. It was a good use of VAR because, when you look at the replays, there’s no doubt that it was a straight red,” he said.
“I think his manager [Thomas Frank] might be having some words with him on Monday, just to stop this aspect of this game. It was an unnecessary challenge.
“I worry because of what we’ve seen in recent weeks, with players coming in at speed and the landing target on the lower ankle or top of the foot. I don’t think there should be any hesitation.
“There are times when there are no sanctions, and what will happen is that players will end up on the bench injured. It’s good that the referee eventually got a red card – it was fully deserved.”