By Alan Hutton

4th Oct, 2023 | 6:00am

Pundit praises VAR officials after re-analysing controversial Liverpool footage

Curtis Jones was rightfully sent off for Liverpool against Tottenham on Saturday (30 September).

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Spurs defender Alan Hutton said that even though it looked like Jones’ foot rolled over the ball, his initial challenge was dangerous enough to warrant a sending off.

As shown on Sky Sports (1 October), the 22-year-old was initially shown a yellow card after a challenge on Yves Bissouma where he slides over the top of the ball and catches the Tottenham player in the ankle.

After a VAR check, referee Simon Hooper upgraded Jones’ booking to a red card and the Reds were reduced to ten men.

Jurgen Klopp’s side went on to lose the game 2-1 after a late own goal from Joel Matip secured the win for the home side.

When asked if the referee was right to send off Jones, Hutton told Football Insider: “He has not meant it, I do not think there is malice.

“There is a little tug on him and that maybe puts him off a little bit. He has gone for the ball but I still think it’s high.

“I’ve looked at it again and think it is pretty dangerous even though he has not meant it, he has rolled over the ball but it is high up. When you see it in full speed it does look a sore one.

“I think it is the correct decision, I would expect more often that not that that would be a red card. He is unlucky but for me that is a red.“

In other news, Liverpool set for transfer boost after £80m+ deal agreed – ‘mission accomplished’.