Liverpool’s win in north London ultimately delivered three points, but the closing stages raised uncomfortable questions about control and player safety.
Joe Hart did not hold back when assessing Tottenham’s behaviour late on, particularly an incident involving Milos Kerkez.
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.”
Kerkez incident shows Spurs losing control late on
Hart was specifically critical of Rodrigo Bentancur’s challenge on the Hungarian left-back during a fractious finale.
He added: “Bentancur’s absolutely cheap shot on Kerkez, he’s hit him really hard there, fellow professional, no need for that.”
That view aligned closely with Liverpool Echo reporter Paul Gorst, who wrote during the game on X: “Bentancur with an awful one on Kerkez. Spurs have lost their heads here. He’s booked.”
It was a moment that summed up a chaotic spell in which we allowed Spurs back into the contest, but also found our players increasingly targeted.
The 22-year-old former Bournemouth defender was repeatedly drawn into heavy duels as tempers frayed.
Hugo Ekitike later acknowledged the tone of the contest when he said: “It was very physical today. There were a lot of duels, but sometimes, it was bad. That wasn’t football.”
That assessment reflected a match that drifted away from structure and into confrontation.
Kerkez caught up in wider Tottenham indiscipline
The Bentancur incident was not isolated.
Richarlison’s introduction changed the atmosphere, with Spurs pushing emotionally as much as tactically.
Within seconds of scoring, the Brazilian forward put Ekitike in a headlock and squared up to Dominik Szoboszlai, yet it was our No.8 who somehow received the booking, a decision that triggered his suspension.
Those moments fed into a pattern of indiscipline, Tottenham finished with nine men – while we were left managing needless flashpoints.
Arne Slot’s side showed enough control to see the game out, but Hart’s comments highlight why these moments cannot be dismissed.
For Kerkez, it was a lesson in Premier League intensity, but also in how quickly matches can cross a line.
And this was one incident that stood out long after the final whistle.
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I had a very distinct impression that Spurs were determined to cripple as many opponents as they could. Their tackling was atrocious and vindictive.
Shame we didn’t have the same intensity against Arsenal and Chelsea.
A disgraceful display from Tottenham.
Good_ jobless scum
When after 15 mins and several times in the first half the fans realised this ref wasn’t going to give us anything, the players realsied that too. Same as the Battle of the Bridge when Clattenburg allowed Chelsea to kick us in the first 20 minutes – the players retaliated – Romero was pushed and the ref booked him for complaining – if a defender had pushed a forward like that, it’s always a penalty
Liverpool were never going to lose this game. the match officials had their back all game. Brooks was a disgrace in his officiating Xavi was never a red card but Liverpool were so badthey had to do something to assist them in winning the game. Thieir second goal was a push on Romero, b ut VAR decided it wasn’t! Spirs were denied a penalty. All the crutial decisions went in Liverpools favour, because its “Liverpool”. Premier league only want a selected few clubs to with the trophies. spurs re not one of them.
Lol time to get glasses loser
It seems you watched the match through your nose 👃🥺.. No need engaging you with your bias mind.. You now turned football into rugby..
L spurs are what they are a mid table team and shite
Retard! Were you watching a different match? Did you not see what those Spurs thugs did to LFC players? Richarlison, could have been a red on another day. The tackle on Isak was a red, Romero, even that Xavi tace was high. Those flying elbows, one on Frimpong which sent him out. Was that football? The refs were too weak, Spurs shod have finished the match with 6 players if you ask me.
Did you actually watch the game? Next time maybe take those rose-tinted glasses off.
Keep crying. Your team was dirty, end of. Nasty team for nasty fans
Do you know know anything about football or do you just suffer from myopia
After years of Spurs benefiting from generous decisions, must be difficult to have to respect the same rules as everyone else. They used to play attactive football but this weekend was pure aggression right from the start. Breaks up the other team’s ( literally) but ultimately us not the answer for a team lacking any tactical game plan now that their better platers have moved on. How Richarlison stays on the pitch more than 10 minutes had always amazed me as he cannot seem to avoid the unecessary violence.
Geoffrey stay off the mushrooms soft lad
Thomas Frank really needs to get a firm grip on Spurs lack of professional discipline. It’s really is a disaster. Trouble is I think it’s a reflection of his weakness as a manager. The job is just too big for him to handle. Sorry, he’s a decent man but that alone won’t suffice in driving the team forward.
Truth it is even very funny when he’s ranting about the bookings given against Tottenham players!!
U are biased watching through ur backside that is why spurs are so useless and never win cz of people like u who want to endanger player safety just cz u jealous they better than ur club u pathetic excuse man
Seriously, we might be s*** at the moment but will bounce back. Spurs will remain what they always are, a s*** team with s*** support
Tottenham just simply became unprofessional.Infact they would have got even 3 red cards,their intentions shifted from playing football to simply intentionally wanting to simply any Liverpool FC has to get injured.