Thomas Frank: "I think the game's gone if that's a red card"
“First and foremost I’m extremely proud of the players and the team,” says the Spurs boss in an interview with the BBC. “I think they gave everything and showed unbelievable mentality and worked very hard on how to deal with setbacks.
“The way they responded to several setbacks was immense. The first one is the first red, which I think ... I’ve seen it given before but I don’t like it. I don’t like those types of red cards because I think the game is gone if that’s a red card. I don’t think it’s a reckless tackle. I don’t think it’s exceptional force. We have the referee call and that was a yellow so that’s why I don’t think that’s a red.
“We dealt well with that. The players stayed in the game, defended well, kept going. Then we concede the first goal, and then the second one is a big mistake. Two hands in the back from the striker - as far as I know the laws of football you are not allowed to do that. That’s fine to happen on the pitch, the referees are only human but then the VAR bails you out, which they didn’t do.
“We stayed in the game, kept going, scored a very good goal for 2-1 and keep fighting. Then I think the second yellow to Cuti [Romero], you have a little feel of the game. Two big boys fighting, Konate is going through him and his foot lands on his head, no yellow. Then there’s a little movement from Cuti but I don’t think it’s a second yellow when you feel the game. We stayed there and did well in terms of dealing with it.”
Hugo Ekitike: "You have to play smart"
“It wasn’t our best game, a difficult game, but we had the control,” says the Liverpool striker. “It was difficult in the last part of the second half because they pushed and they scored. We kept the result and we go back to Liverpool with the win, that is the most important thing.
On tottenham’s reduced numbers: “It is never easy [to play against 10 and then nine men]. They play at home, the fans push them and they have more energy, more than at the start. That makes it more difficult, so you have to play smart and to fight for every ball.
On scoring again: “The best feeling as a striker. You need goals. The most important is the win and to play with confidence, and obviously if I can help with goals. The first goal I helped with the pass before the assist, so I try to help the team the best as I can and that’s the most important.”
