James Maddison ‘throws dig’ at Jurgen Klopp after being asked about Spurs vs Liverpool refereeing
James Maddison was on the winning side as Tottenham Hotspur scored a dramatic late winner in an incident filled encounter against Liverpool.
Spurs beat the Reds 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Saturday evening Premier League clash which saw Jurgen Klopp’s side end the game with only nine men.
Curtis Jones was shown a first half red card as Liverpool were reduced to 10 men, before Luis Diaz appeared to have put the Anfield side ahead.
The linesman flagged the goal offside, but controversially VAR did not intervene as it should have done and allowed the strike.
The PGMOL has subsequently confirmed it was in fact onside, and that the goal should have stood.
Spurs took the lead after Diaz’s strike was ruled out when Son Heung-min slotted home, but Liverpool equalised in first half stoppage time thanks to Cody Gakpo’s finish on the turn.
Jurgen Klopp’s side went down to nine men when Diogo Jota was shown two yellow cards in quick succession with around 20 minutes remaining.
It looked like the spoils were going to be shared, only for Spurs to collect all three points when deep in injury time, Liverpool defender Joel Matip turned Pedro Porro’s cross into his own net as Spurs picked up a dramatic late three points in a breathless clash.
Liverpool boss Klopp made his thoughts clear on the dismissals and that there were issues with both.
He said: “We scored an own goal, that is really tough to take but I am really proud. The first red card, Curtis steps on the ball and goes over. Not a bad tackle. It looks different in slow motion. He steps full throttle on the ball and goes over the ball. That is unlucky.
“[For Diogo Jota] first yellow was not a yellow. Then he gets a second and to defend with nine players is tricky. You want to build something you need players with mentality and I saw them today, they fought. Pretty special tonight.”
But Spurs midfielder Maddison had no issues with either sending off and appeared to slide in a slight dig towards the Liverpool boss over them.
He told Sky Sports: “Jota’s definitely was [a red].
“The Curtis Jones one early on got shown on the big screen I think was a red card as well. I’m not sure Jurgen will complain too much about those too.”
Maddison has starred for his new side since his £40 million summer move from Leicester City.
He’s bagged two goals, including a stunning strike against Burnley, and registered two assists as he bagged the Premier League player of the month award for August.
His form at club level saw him land a spot in England’s starting XI against Ukraine in their Euro 2024 qualifier during the international break.
Despite his brilliant and prolific start at Spurs, Levy has jokingly scolded Maddison over the colour of his car.
The club’s chairman revealed that he had to tell the 26-year-old NOT to turn up to training driving a red car.
Of course, red is the colour donned by their cross-town rivals Arsenal.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Sunday’s showdown at the Emirates, he said: “James needs to learn that he can’t come to the training ground in a red car. I’ve told him.
Levy also showered Ange Postecoglou with high praise, calling him a ‘breath of fresh air’ following his appointment in the summer.
“Honestly, there was a lot of pressure on me to bring in somebody that was a big name,” he said.
“I just wanted somebody who understood our DNA, would play attacking football, that would give young players a chance, believe in the academy, would build a relationship with the fans and understand the resources that we have and don’t have as a club and be part of a team.
“Ange, I have to say, is a breath of fresh air.”
Spurs have won four of their five opening league games and sit in second place in the table, with 13 points on the board ahead of playing Arsenal.
It was a controversial afternoon in North London, to say the least. Liverpool forward Luis Díaz thought he’d opened the scoring in the 33rd minute when he beat goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
But the assistant raised his flag and the goal was ruled out – a decision that raised plenty of eyebrows after Spurs defender Cristian Romero played Diaz onside with his outstretched foot.
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