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Cristian Romero has been charged by the Football Association for his behaviour towards referee John Brooks in Tottenham's 2-1 defeat by Liverpool

The Football Association has hit Cristian Romero with charges for allegedly failing to exit the field swiftly and conducting himself inappropriately towards referee John Brooks following his dismissal during Tottenham's 2-1 loss to Liverpool.

An official FA statement declared: "Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero has been charged following their Premier League match against Liverpool on Saturday 20 December.

"It's alleged that he acted in an improper manner by failing to promptly leave the field of play and/or behaving in a confrontational and/or aggressive manner towards the match referee after being sent off in the 93rd minute. Cristian Romero has until Friday 2 January 2026 to respond."

This deadline comes just one day after Spurs' New Year's Day clash with Brentford and two days prior to their home encounter with Sunderland. Romero is already guaranteed to sit out Tottenham's fixture against Crystal Palace on 28 December due to the standard one-match suspension for receiving two yellow cards in a single match.

Spurs manager Thomas Frank expressed his displeasure with Romero's red card when addressing the media post-match. He remarked: "You can see there's probably a reason why the whole team reacted as they do. I think that's probably a good indicator.

"Normally, if it's one player reacting, if it's the whole team, probably because there's something about it. I think we all played football enough and seen enough football that there's something probably around that.

"So, I can't see if it's right or wrong that he gives the first yellow. The second yellow, I see two big boys competing; Konate absolutely smashing through Cuti [Romero]. It's a foul, I'm not saying more.

"His foot landed on Cuti's head. Not a yellow, I'm not saying that. Cuti makes a reaction. I think I guess it can be given, but also I guess it can be not given."

Frank also had more to say about Romero on Tuesday. He stated: "We're talking about a player, a very passionate player, that, when he is at his absolute top, he carries the team on his back, like he did in the Europa League final. Without him, we wouldn't have won the trophy, like he did away to Newcastle, like he's done many times.

"When you're very passionate, sometimes you can maybe, in a few moments, lack the extra coolness. Sometimes, maybe. Something he's working on.

"I think you have a player where the second goal for me still is a clear, clear, clear foul. And, OK, I haven't played on the highest level.

"Everyone who played on the highest level, if they know there's a foul, they know it's a foul. And they're very, very reactive. It's a clear foul. So he felt hard done by.

"So the mistake he did there was he was running, unfortunately, touching John Brooks. That means he, when he touched the ref, you know, unfortunately, you need to have a yellow. But let's say it was a foul given, don't give the first yellow. You don't get the second yellow.

"The second yellow is a mistake, obviously, from Cuti, which he's agreeing on. But before that, he was the one that competed, like, very passionate for the first corner, competed on that duel, and the second duel, when we scored to make it 2-1. So you need to accept if you have passionate players that, you know, it's part of it."

The challenge that led to Alexander Isak's broken leg has sparked debate and Thomas Frank has launched a strong defence after Arne Slot's criticism

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has hit back at Arne Slot and launched a stirring defence of Spurs star Micky van de Ven, after the Liverpool coach claimed that the Dutchman's challenge on Alexander Isak would always result in injury.

Isak broke his leg due to a challenge by Van de Ven, which left the Sweden international in a heap moments after slotting the ball into the net in north London. The striker was immediately replaced and is now set for a spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery.

And speaking in his press conference on Wednesday, Slot called out Van de Ven's challenge and claimed it was worse than Xavi Simons' red card foul in the same game. Frank has a different view on Van de Ven's efforts.

“Obviously I am disagreeing," said the Lilywhite head coach. "In many ways, we are talking about a defender that will do everything to avoid (conceding) the goal.

"It’s a transition so he is sprinting back in. There’s a ball slid down in the side and he does everything he can to block that shot.

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"Unfortunately, Isak has planted his foot straight there which makes it look worse than it is. That would be a natural reaction for any defender. Or, put it this way, if my defender doesn’t do that, I don’t think they are true defenders.

"I don’t see that at all. I think reckless challenges, normally, you haven’t seen any from Micky, as I remember it. I see him as a very fair and competitive player. That’s one thing. I also know the two players have sorted it out so that’s a good sign.”

Slot was less forgiving. "It was for me a reckless challenge," he said.

"Xavi Simons [tackle on Virgil van Dijk] was completely unintentional. I don't think you will ever get an injury out of a tackle like that.

"The tackle of Van de Ven, if you make that tackle 10 times then 10 times there's a serious chance a player could get a serious injury."

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher does not believe Van de Ven's tackle on Isak was ever deserving of a red card. "I can't see that he's done anything that a footballer wouldn't," Gallagher said on Sky Sports Ref Watch.

"I would be astonished if that was given as a red card anywhere on the field. Players mistime challenges all the time. He's slightly late... it's not a red card. Whether it be in the penalty area, in the D, the centre circle or the other half."

Liverpool striker Alexander Isak faces months out with a fractured fibula, but Arne Slot already has Hugo Ekitike ready to lead the line for his side.

Liverpool already have a clear-cut replacement for Alexander Isak following confirmation of his injury severity on Monday evening. The Sweden striker, 26, was caught by a robust challenge from Micky van de Ven whilst netting against Tottenham on Saturday night, forcing his withdrawal after merely 11 minutes on the pitch.

Isak instantly grabbed his lower leg and limped off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The injury appeared severe, with Liverpool confirming that was the case in an official statement.

Their medical update stated: "Alexander Isak has today successfully underwent surgery on the injury he sustained on Saturday. The Liverpool striker was injured in a challenge in the process of scoring the opening goal against Tottenham Hotspur and had to be substituted.

"After diagnosis, an operation was completed today on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture. Isak's rehabilitation will now continue at the AXA Training Centre, with no timeframe yet placed on his return."

After Isak's opening goal, Hugo Ekitike extended the visitors' lead soon after with a brilliantly placed header past Guglielmo Vicario. That marked his fifth strike in three Premier League outings, as well, making it crystal clear he's equipped to shoulder the responsibility of being Liverpool's frontman.

Slot appears satisfied with his displays, though he still expects even greater things from the French forward. The Liverpool manager commented: "He still needs to get stronger, but he's already become stronger. He can score a goal, he has great footwork, dribbling skills, he has so much in his locker.

"He's adjusted to the Premier League now, the biggest thing is how he can become physically outstanding, that's what he's working on really hard.

"In the last two, three, four minutes he was very, very, very tired at Tottenham. I see this often.

"But there's hardly any rest for these players, I have to give them a lot of compliments. Every time they fight, fight and fight from first second to the last."

With Isak sidelined for the coming months, Slot's closing remarks may raise alarm bells considering Liverpool face four fixtures in just 12 days. That's beginning with their encounter against Wolves.

Slot is grappling with multiple fitness concerns after both Florian Wirtz and Conor Bradley left the Spurs match with suspected issues. This adds to the existing unavailability of Cody Gakpo, Wataru Endo and Joe Gomez.

Discussing the injury situation, Slot revealed: "Conor will be 50/50. He's not training with us today or tomorrow.

"Friday we will see exactly where he is if he can be in squad. Joe won't be available, Wata won't be, Cody is a bit similar to Conor.

Liverpool striker Alexander Isak is set for a lengthy spell of the sidelines, with the Premier League club confirming he has undergone surgery on a leg fracture.

The Sweden striker was injured during the Reds' win at Tottenham on Saturday, and it quickly emerged that there were concerns the issue was serious. Isak, who was injured scoring Liverpool's opener in their 2-1 win, was injured in the process. He looked in immediate pain after a challenge from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven, who was trying in vain to stop his opponent from scoring.

While an ACL injury was quickly ruled out, indications on Sunday suggested Isak's club still feared a 'significant' issue. And after an MRI scan confirmed the former Newcastle man had broken his leg, Isak underwent surgery on Monday.

Liverpool have not set a timeline on his return to action but Isak - the Reds' record signing- is now set to miss months of action.

“I don’t have any news on him. But if a player scores and then gets injured, and doesn’t come back on the pitch, doesn’t try to come back - which is what Conor Bradley tried to do for example but I had to take him off as well because he couldn’t go on," Liverpool manager Arne Slot told reporters on Saturday.

“But if a player doesn’t even try to come back, that is usually not a good thing. But I cannot say anything more than that, it is just a gut feeling. Nothing medical to say about it. I haven’t spoken to him about it yet."

Liverpool's opponents finished Saturday's game with nine men, with Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero both sent off. Van de Ven wasn't carded for his challenge which led to Isak's injury, but former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd saw things differently to the referee.

"Van de Ven has not intentionally tried to hurt Isak. Obviously, he is desperate to stop a goal and he's coming across to stop the shot," Bothroyd said on Sky Sports' Ref Watch.

"This is an example where, yes, Isak has scored, but it should still be a red card. He's lunging, he's going into him. Every explanation you want to give for a red-card challenge is there. Because he's scored, they've let it go.

"He's lunged, he's out of control. He's trying to make a block but he's never going to get there. If that's in the middle of the park, that's a red card."

Jamie Carragher has given his verdict after Xavi Simons' tackle on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, which saw the Tottenham player sent-off during their Premier League showdown.

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has claimed it's hard to argue against Xavi Simons receiving a red card for his challenge on Virgil van Dijk. However, the Sky Sports pundit believes there was a different challenge that should have seen another Tottenham player sent-off this weekend.

Analysing Simons' tackle on Liverpool's captain, van Dijk, Carragher told Monday Night Football: "When I saw it at normal speed I didn't think it was a red card, but then you slow it down and it looks horrific, but I think everything does slowed down.

"But I've got a little bit of sympathy for Simons. And the reason I say this, and we are going to slow it down a lot now, and maybe that makes the tackle look a lot worse, but when I've been a player, the only thing I can think he's trying to do is, Virgil van Dijk's maybe going to go back to his goalkeeper, and you know sometimes when there's such a big difference in the size and power and you're trying to leave one on somebody, almost knock them off the ball.

"I just want to really look at his eyes - look at the way his arms are going. He's looking at the top of Virgil van Dijk; I actually think he's just clumsy and he doesn't realise where his feet are going.

"I think he thinks; 'I'm gonna leave one on him.' We've all done that and give him a bit of a whack, maybe knock him over and give a foul. And look at his arms the way they come up now, to almost give a shove to him.

"Now I know the tackle will look horrific because it's really slowed down, but his arms are there to go; 'I'm gonna give van Dijk a bit of a knock on the back'. And I almost think he's not even aware of where his foot is going, and he's just caught him on the back.

"When you see it there, it looks horrific and you can't almost say it's not a red card when you look at it like that - but I'm trying to put myself in his head and think what he was thinking and that thing of like, we've all done it as players where you think; 'I'll just give someone a shoulder barge'.

"But because of the difference in size is so big, he's almost overdone it and he's just got clumsy where his foot has gone. But when you look at that as a still [image], it looks horrific."

When asked if VAR should have stuck with the referee's original call of a yellow card, Carragher added: "Listen, I can't say it's not a red card, but if you're asking me would I rather that be a red card or [Rodrigo] Bentancur's challenge on [Milos] Kerkez, it would be Bentancur's challenge on Kerkez in the second-half every day of the week."

Although Arne Slot will be happy with three points away from home, the Dutchman won't be impressed with injury concerns surrounding Alexander Isak. The £125m signing was unable to celebrate after scoring following a rough challenge by Micky van de Ven. The Spurs defender was not shown a card for his tackle, which forced Isak off the pitch, but ex-pro Jay Bothroyd believes there should have been harsher punishment.

He explained on Sky Sports show Ref Watch: "Van de Ven has not intentionally tried to hurt Isak. Obviously, he's desperate to stop a goal and he's coming across to stop the shot.

"This is an example where, yes, Isak has scored, but this should still be a red card. He's lunging, he's going into him. Every explanation you want to give for a red-card challenge is there. Because he's scored, they've let it go.

"He's lunged, he's out of control. He's trying to make a block, but he's never going to get there. If that happened in the middle of the park, that's a red card."

Gary Lineker's fury after Tottenham vs Liverpool red card - 'It's absolutely nothing'

Xavi Simons was shown a red card for a late challenge on Virgil van Dijk during Tottenham's 2-1 Premier League defeat against Liverpool on Saturday but Lineker disagrees with the call

Gary Lineker believes Tottenham midfielder Xavi Simons shouldn't have received a red card during Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Spurs on Saturday. The Netherlands international was dismissed in the 33rd minute after a contentious tackle on Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk had played the ball back to Alisson Becker when Simons seemed to make contact with the Liverpool skipper's Achilles. Referee John Brooks initially brandished a yellow card, but VAR prompted him to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor.

Brooks then decided to upgrade the caution to a dismissal, leaving Tottenham with ten players. Spurs boss Thomas Frank was incensed by the verdict in his post-match interview, declaring the "game is gone", whilst Arne Slot felt Simons hadn't deliberately tried to harm Van Dijk.

The former Everton and Tottenham striker has now weighed in with his thoughts on the sending-off. "I'm going to have a little but of a rant myself here," he said on the Rest Is Football podcast.

"I know in slow motion you can pick it apart, his [Xavi Simons] studs may have caught the back of his [Virgil van Dijk] calf, but the fella is just trying to put his foot on the ground I mean there's absolutely zero intent.

"I mean yes, Virg might have got hurt, that happens in football, it happens all the time, doesn't mean to say it's a vicious foul. I just can't stand red cards for things like that, it was nothing. It's another one of those that looks in slow motion, you go 'ooh, blimey, he's raked down the back of his calf'.

"In normal speed it wasn't that, it's not like that at all. It's not like that at all. And I know they all thought it was a red card and you two may think it's a red card, and I understand now that when they look at things, they might go and break it down so slowly, but when you see it in normal speed, it's just his foot landing, he flicks him.

"It's nothing, it's absolutely nothing." Alan Shearer added: "It's totally accidental, totally accidental, yeah."

Lineker went on: "Yellow card would've sufficed." Meanwhile, Simons issued an apology following the match. He posted on social media: "Mistakes happen. Virg is my captain, I would never intentionally hurt him or anyone.

"To my Spurs teammates, my manager and the fans, I take responsibility. I'm really sorry."

Van Dijk then offered his own assessment, saying: "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.

"I spoke to him. It's a chat that no-one needs to know."

The Swedish international suffered a suspected broken leg in Liverpool's 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday

Liverpool fear record signing Alexander Isak is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering a suspected broken leg in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur. The 26-year-old was injured as he scored the game’s opening goal, landing awkwardly after a late sliding challenge from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven.

The tackle left the Swede clutching his leg in pain and unable to celebrate with his team-mates. He was treated by medical staff before hobbling off to be replaced by Jeremie Frimpong, who himself was later substituted after being caught by a stray arm from Richarlison.

Reports suggest an MRI scan will confirm Liverpool’s worst fears that their £125m summer signing has broken his leg. Speaking immediately after the game, Refs boss Arne Slot said: “It’s difficult to know what he exactly has. But it’s never a nice thing that after the goal he collided with their defender. Hopefully he’s fine, but we have to wait and see.”

The injury is a crushing blow for Liverpool, leaving the club with just Hugo Ekitike as a fit, recognised striker with, Cody Gakpo out until the New Year and Mohamed Salah away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Isak has endured a difficult start to life at Anfield with just three goals across 16 appearances in all competitions but appeared to be finally finding form after rifling a composed finish past Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario.

The British transfer fee record-holder will lean on experience gained at Tyneside, where a string of injuries also threatened to derail life at a new club.

After joining Newcastle from La Liga outfit Real Sociedad, Isak managed just three appearances before picking up a thigh injury while on international duty. The forward would go on to score 54 Premier League goals for the Magpies in just three seasons, but later said Newcastle’s patient response to his knock was crucial in allowing him to return firing on all cylinders.

In an interview with Swedish media outfit Fotbollskanalen, Isak said: “I got a thigh injury. The first six months at the club were tough and it took some time to come back from the injury, but it was still okay because I still got to play three games and show a bit.

“Then the team did so well that it took the pressure off me and I could focus on my rehab instead of thinking the team needed me. It helped a bit, but it’s clear it wasn’t easy.”

The Swedish international missed four matches at the end of October and start of November with a groin injury and could now face up to six months out of action if scans confirm that he has broken his leg.

The onus is now on his team-mates to keep the good results coming and ease the intense spotlight Isak was already under as a result of his price tag. Otherwise the frustrations surrounding his tricky start to life on Merseyside will only grow bigger.

Arne Slot saw his Liverpool side stretch their unbeaten run to six games after the Reds beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 on Saturday in a fiery encounter

Liverpool continued their climb up the Premier League table with three points against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening. The 2-1 victory was forged by Liverpool's summer signings, with Alexander Isak giving the Reds the lead in the second half after a weighted ball was slid through to him by an impressive Florian Wirtz.

Fellow new recruit Jeremie Frimpong sent in a deflected cross in the second half that Hugo Ekitike met with a looping header to make it 2-0. Former Everton star Richarlison halved the deficit for Spurs late on, but Liverpool hung on for their ninth win of the season.

However, while the Reds can celebrate six games unbeaten after a dreadful run of form derailed their Premier League title challenge, the evening was marred by an injury to Isak. The game was also punctuated by a series of controversies, including two red cards for Spurs.

Isak fell awkwardly after his shot to put Arne Slot's side ahead in the tie, and limped off after receiving treatment on the pitch. Mirror Football now takes a look at the latest news from Anfield, with events at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium under the microscope.

Ekitike issued challenge

French star Ekitike has been told he will need to step up in the upcoming weeks following the injury sustained by Isak in the Premier League win over Tottenham.

The 23-year-old scored his 11th goal in all competitions for Liverpool with his second-half header against Thomas Frank's side. The former Eintracht Frankfurt looks well placed to spearhead Liverpool's attack after scoring five goals in his last three Premier League matches.

Speaking on BBC's Match of the Day after the game, ex-Newcastle keeper Shay Given conceded that losing Isak for any amount of time would be a cruel blow for Liverpool, especially with Mo Salah currently on duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

"It’s a big loss if Isak has gone off injured again," Given said. "He’s had a stop-start campaign so far. But, Ekitike looks the real deal, doesn’t he?

"A brilliant striker, and he’ll have to step up. Obviously, Mo Salah has left as well to go to the Africa Cup of Nations. Ekitike will have to stay fit as well because it’s a big loss if Isak is out for a number of weeks now as well."

Liverpool now have a nervous wait to establish the severity of Isak's injury, with the club fearing that the Sweden international has suffered a 'significant' problem ahead of an MRI scan on Monday.

While the duration of the striker's potential absence remains uncertain, Slot did provide a brief update after the match, acknowledging it's never a positive sign when a player cannot carry on, particularly after finding the back of the net.

He said: "We'll have to wait and see. But if a player scores and then gets injured and doesn't try to come back on the pitch, that's usually not a good thing."

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Ex-Premier League star slams Tottenham behaviour

Spurs' lack of discipline has been slammed by ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart. Tottenham finished the Liverpool clash with just nine men.

Xavi Simons was given a red card in the first half, following a VAR review, for a challenge on his compatriot Virgil van Dijk. Christian Romero was also given his marching orders after receiving a second yellow card later on in the tie.

Richarlison also appeared to grip Ekitike around the neck after scoring and later squared up to Dominik Szoboszlai. A collision between the Brazilian and Frimpong also saw the Dutch wing-back leave the pitch with a bloodied lip.

Rodrigo Bentancur also left a heavy challenge on Milos Kerkez. Hart believes Spurs' loss of control ultimately allowed Liverpool to see out the tie, despite Frank's side finding their way back into the game late on through Richarlison's goal.

Speaking on Match of the Day, the former England goalkeeper said: “They just totally lost control, and for me this is the worst, I really don’t like this.” He added: “Bentancur’s absolutely cheap shot on Kerkez, he’s hit him really hard there, fellow professional, no need for that.”

Ekitike later had his say on the ugly affair. He said: “It was very physical today. There were a lot of duels, but sometimes, it was bad. That wasn’t football.”

Liverpool are worried Alexander Isak suffered a 'significant' injury during their Premier League win at Tottenham on Saturday. Isak picked up the problem when scoring the Reds' opener in North London and the reigning Premier League champions now face an anxious wait over their record signing.

Isak wasn't the only Liverpool player to suffer an injury scare at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong were also withdrawn with issues of their own, but there is a serious concern when it comes to their £125m striker.

According to The Athletic, Liverpool are worried about a significant leg injury to their star man but won't be sure until Isak undergoes an MRI scan. If the injury is as bad as feared, it could prove a problem for both club and country.

Isak, 26, has had a stop-start career at Anfield since joining from Newcastle. The goal against Spurs was just a second in the Premier League this season for a player who arrived without a proper pre-season behind him and missed games through a different injury in the autumn.

The Swedish international could also be an injury concern for his national side's World Cup play-offs in March. Graham Potter's side will play Ukraine in their semi-final, with the winner of that match playing either Poland or Albania for a place in next summer's finals.

“I don’t have any news on him. But if a player scores and then gets injured, and doesn’t come back on the pitch, doesn’t try to come back - which is what Conor Bradley tried to do for example but I had to take him off as well because he couldn’t go on," Liverpool manager Arne Slot said after the win at Spurs.

“But if a player doesn’t even try to come back, that is usually not a good thing. But I cannot say anything more than that, it is just a gut feeling. Nothing medical to say about it. I haven’t spoken to him about it yet."

Liverpool were already without a number of first-team stars before their trip to the capital. Mohamed Salah is away at the Africa Cup of Nations, while defender Joe Gomez was forced off injured in the previous match against Brighton.

Slot's team don't play again until September 27, when bottom-of-the-table Wolves come to Anfield, They will then take on Leeds, Fulham and Arsenal in the league before beginning their FA Cup campaign against Barnsley.

Isak's injury didn't stop Liverpool claiming all three points against nine-man Spurs. Hugo Ekitike scored the Reds' second before Richarlison pulled one back for the hosts, who saw Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero sent off.

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