Liverpool handed VAR explanation for Xavi Simons red card after Virgil van Dijk tackle

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Liverpool were given a man advantage in the first half against Tottenham when the hosts were shown a red card, following a challenge from Xavi Simons on Virgil van Dijk. He did so, witnessing Simons go in fast on Van Dijk with his studs up, quickly causing him to overturn his decision on the field.

Brooks addressed the incident and explained it when he said: "After review, the Tottenham number seven [Simons], with studs, catches the Liverpool player [Van Dijk] on the calf high - it's an act of serious foul play. My final decision is red card.” It was a challenge that was slammed by Gary Neville on Sky Sports, when he said during the VAR review: "It is a ridiculous challenge, considering he was never going to get there.

He is going to get a red card." The Premier League Match Centre account on social media quickly put out a statement on the decision, saying: "After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of yellow card to Simons and issued a red card for serious foul play." It was a key moment in the match that changed the balance of it, putting the pressure on Liverpool to dictate it over Tottenham, in a situation that isn't too unfamiliar to the Reds. Van Dijk was on the receiving end of a similar challenge against Newcastle earlier in the season, when former Everton ace Anthony Gordon caught him with a high challenge with his studs up.