Gary Lineker has criticised the decision to send off Tottenham midfielder Xavi Simons during Liverpool's 2-1 victory at Anfield on Saturday. The former England striker said the challenge on Virgil van Dijk was accidental and did not warrant a red card.
Simons was dismissed in the 33rd minute after catching Van Dijk on the back of the Achilles. Referee John Brooks initially showed a yellow card but upgraded to red following a VAR review. Tottenham boss Thomas Frank fumed at the decision, claiming the 'game is gone'.
Speaking on the Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker said: 'In normal speed it wasn't that, it's not like that at all. Yellow card would've sufficed.' Alan Shearer agreed, calling the incident 'totally accidental'.
Van Dijk acknowledged there was no intent from Simons, but confirmed the challenge hurt him. Simons later apologised on social media, saying: 'Mistakes happen. Virg is my captain, I would never intentionally hurt him.'
