Spurs 1-2 Liverpool | Every word of Thomas Frank's post-match press conference

Thomas Frank spoke to the media at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after our 2-1 loss against Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday.

Here's what he had to say...

Plenty of character shown - what were your thoughts on the performance and the two red cards?

Thomas: "I think overall it was a good performance tonight, proud of the players and the team and how they responded. I actually think the first 30 was also good from us and how we responded to setbacks through the game, something we have been working very hard on, because that is the biggest thing the best teams need to do. How do we respond to setbacks during a game because the best teams deal with it and move on and keep going, stick to the plan, we talked about it before, structure and everything. Today we did that excellently. There was great personality and character in the team. The first red which I have seen given before, I also said before definitely a few times at Brentford and I have seen others, I don’t like this as a red card. I think the game is, probably too big to say gone, but for me it’s not reckless and it’s not exceptional force. He is chasing Van Dijk. He is trying to put pressure and then he changes direction. Unfortunately his foot is on his Achilles. You can say ‘ah, you need to be smarter, don’t do it and all that’ but so are we not allowed to have physical contact anymore? The next thing on that is if he gets three games, which I don’t understand, how can he get three games for something which is not reckless? That is absolutely wrong and we probably can’t appeal it. We responded excellently to that. Then 1-0 goal, we kept going. I think the second goal is a mistake from the ref. I think there are two hands in the back. Clear two hands in the back. I don’t understand how you can do that. Everywhere else you have seen that a thousand times out there on the pitch, someone will go up for a header, a goal kick into the centre-back, two hands in the back ‘boom’ foul, but apparently not in the penalty box. I think that was the biggest mistake in my opinion and from VAR but apparently that was not enough. We kept going."

The second red?

Thomas: "I also think we got on the wrong end on two. You can see there's probably a reason why the whole team react 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. 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."

It's an emotional game, but does your captain have to control his emotions when you're chasing that equaliser?

Thomas: "I think any player needs to control their emotions and be cool-headed. It's not only because you're a captain that you need to be exceptionally cool-headed. That's also always good, of course. We're talking about a very passionate player that's been very good for this club and team in many years."

The commitment certainly got the crowd back on board...

Thomas: "The crowd were excellent and the fans were excellent today. I think they kept us going throughout the game and especially the last let's say 20, they almost sucked the second goal into the net as well. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. It would have been an excellent comeback."

Can I just get your reaction to the team's home form in 2025? It's surely unacceptable...

Thomas: "I think it's fair to say, I said from the beginning, that it's so important that we do everything we can to make our home a fortress. And to make that home a fortress, we need more performances like we did today. Today, there was a few bits that didn't go our way. I think also a great effort from Kolo Muani and if that goes in, 1-1, a little bit of margin there, then probably don't concede the 2-0. Then it's not a goal I need to discuss. So, all those things you need a little bit going your way. I think stats you can spin either way. Overall, we as a club need to make a home that is very difficult to come to."

You just spoke about Xavi missing the next three games, how disappointed are you for him?

Thomas: "That's why it's probably good Arne and I are agreeing on that one. So, yeah, that's of course disappointing. I think it's harsh to say, because if it was intentional or a very stupid tackle, which I don't think it is, then it's one thing. So, I just think it's too harsh, a tackle like that can be three games."

How much are you going to miss him now over this busy, festive period? 

Thomas: "Of course, one game, okay, that's one thing. But three games, of course, is too much."