Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has come to the defense of his international teammate Xavi Simons after a controversial red card incident during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on December 1, 2023. The incident occurred in the first half when Simons was dismissed following a VAR review that revealed he had raked his studs down the back of Van Dijk’s calf.
The decision to send off the 22-year-old midfielder proved pivotal, allowing Liverpool to secure a 2-1 victory, which propelled them to fifth place in the league table, while Spurs dropped to 13th. Speaking after the match, Van Dijk stated, “I don’t think there was any intention to hurt me but obviously he hurt me, and then the referee and the VAR made the decision to send him off.” He added that he had spoken to Simons, describing the conversation as “a chat that no-one needs to know.”
Despite the win, Liverpool faced a significant concern when forward Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had to leave the pitch shortly after scoring the opening goal. The 26-year-old appeared to be in considerable pain following a collision with Spurs defender Cristian Romero. Van Dijk expressed concern for his teammate, saying, “Injuries unfortunately are part of football and hopefully with Alex it’s not too bad.”
The Dutchman confirmed that the extent of Oxlade-Chamberlain’s injury would need to be assessed, recognizing that it looked severe during the match. “We all saw how bad it looked with Alex but hopefully it won’t be too bad,” he added.
Liverpool’s victory marked their sixth consecutive unbeaten game across all competitions. However, the team almost conceded an equalizer against a Spurs side reduced to nine men, which Van Dijk described as a chaotic finish. Reflecting on the match, he stated, “The immediate reaction coming off was that it was a chaotic last five to 10 minutes. It wasn’t great, but to get the three points is massive.”
Van Dijk acknowledged that there were aspects of their performance that needed improvement, particularly in managing the game after conceding. “When you concede a goal and their fans get behind them like they did, it’s never easy to make the right decisions and find the right solutions,” he said. Despite the challenges, he remained optimistic about the team’s progress, emphasizing the importance of staying calm and focused.
Looking ahead, Van Dijk noted the upcoming challenge against Wolverhampton Wanderers, stating, “Wolves will make it difficult for us and we have to be ready for that.” He also took a moment to reflect on the holiday season, highlighting the significance of family and health. “Being with your family and being healthy are the most important things in life,” he concluded.
As Liverpool prepares for their next fixture, the focus remains on recovering and maintaining their positive momentum in the league.
