Wayne Rooney points out 'strange' part of Xavi Simons' red card

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Liverpool IconLiverpool FC NewsFeaturesWayne RooneyXavi Simons was shown a straight red card during Tottenham's defeat by Liverpool on Saturday after raking his studs down the back of Virgil van Dijk's legXavi Simons was sent off against Liverpool(Image: 2025 Mark Leech/Offside)Wayne Rooney suggested that Xavi Simons was sent off against Liverpool on Saturday after experiencing a "rush of blood to his head."Simons was shown a straight red card after raking his studs down the back of Virgil van Dijk's leg during the first half of Liverpool's 2-0 win at Spurs.Tottenham's summer signing took to social media after the game to apologize for the challenge. "Mistakes happen," Simons said.

"Virg is my captain [at international level]. I would never intentionally hurt him or anyone.

To my Spurs teammates, my manager and the fans, I take responsibility, I'm really sorry."Now, former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has had his say on the matter, describing the nature of the challenge as "strange" due to the pair being Netherlands teammates.READ MORE: Wayne Rooney can't help himself while heaping praise on Liverpool's 'best signing yet'READ MORE: Antoine Semenyo told 'perfect' transfer option as Liverpool handed alternative Jurgen Klopp loved“I thought it was a strange red card because obviously Van Dijk is captain for Holland as well and so I wouldn't think that he's meant to do it but I think it's just probably a rush of blood to his head," Rooney said.Tottenham ended the game with nine men, after defender Cristian Romero was shown a second yellow card in the closing stages of the game for kicking out at Ibrahima Konate after the pair had challenged each other for an aerial ball.Rooney believes that Tottenham's intensity spilled over and led to ill discipline during the game, and ultimately another home loss – the team's fifth in nine Premier League games since the start of the campaign.Simons protests against his red card(Image: Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)“I think sometimes it's better, and in the big games as well, playing on that edge and having that, you know, little bit of hunger in a weird way," Rooney said."It's quite difficult to explain, but playing on that edge in the big games is better, but then you're at risk of overflowing a little bit and I think with the two red cards, the second red card is the Romero one I think is soft."I think Konate's played on it a little bit but yeah, I think playing on that edge you're at danger of getting a red card or something silly happening but the outcomes can be much better when you're playing that edge. I think that's what people want to see as well.”