Diogo Jota apologised to Oliver Skipp in the tunnel after drawing blood from his forehead with a high boot in Liverpool’s win over Tottenham on Sunday.
Jota was fortunate to avoid a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Skipp in the second half at Anfield. He was booked by referee Paul Tierney after catching the Spurs midfielder while attempting to control the ball.
The Liverpool forward went on to score the decisive goal in the 94th minute to give the home side a 4-3 win. The eight minutes of added time was largely due to the stoppage so Skipp could have his head wound treated, but he had to be substituted.
Tottenham interim manager Ryan Mason was furious that Jota was not sent off for the foul in the 81st minute. After making the challenge, Jota could be seen trying to see if Skipp was OK – and his sympathy continued after the final whistle.
Footage taken in the Anfield tunnel and posted on Liverpool’s YouTube channel shows Jota approaching Skipp, who is walking in the opposite direction carrying his boots. He says “no intention” and then “sorry” as the two share a brief embrace.
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The apology is unlikely to have quelled Mason’s anger, with the Spurs boss believing the decision not to dismiss Jota changed the game. "Honestly, it's probably the clearest red card you will see on the football pitch,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I need an explanation. It endangered the opponent, Skipp needs stitches and Jota has scored the goal when he shouldn't be on the pitch."
In his post-match press conference, Mason went on to demand an explanation from PGMOL as to why Jota was only shown a yellow card.
He added: "I'd like an explanation why it wasn't a red card. It was an instant red card. When you show studs, draw blood and create a gash, it ticks all the boxes. Listen, it's decided the game because that player shouldn't have been on the pitch."
Jurgen Klopp fired back at Mason, pointing out that Skipp could have been sent off for a poor tackle on Luis Diaz in the first half. "Ryan has to worry about other stuff," Klopp told BBC Match of the Day. "They're such a good football team, Tottenham, they have to play better football.
"They can't just counter-attack, they have to play better football with that team. Diogo Jota has the foot high but he's not going for the head. I heard Oliver Skipp could've had a red card. Did he speak about that as well? Wanting Diogo Jota off the pitch, worry about other stuff."
