Mason wants “explanation” over Jota’s challenge on Skipp

Tottenham Hotspur interim head coach Ryan Mason says he wants an “explanation” as to why Diogo Jota wasn’t sent off during his side’s 4-3 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield. 

Jota, 26, appeared to raise his foot high and hit Skipp with the studs of his boot. 

Medical staff attended to Skipp for several minutes before he came off the field to be further assessed.

Mason said after the game: “I would like an explanation and a reason why it wasn’t (a red card).

“I can understand referees and officials on the pitch missing it even though my feeling was an instant red card because when your foot is studs showing and you’re five and a half feet off the ground and make contact with a player’s head and draw blood, and there is a gash, I think it ticks all the boxes. 

“Listen, it’s decided the game because that player on the pitch shouldn’t have been on there at the end decided the game. I’m pretty sure most football people’s opinions will probably feel the same.”

Curtis Jones put Liverpool 1-0 up inside the opening three minutes following a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold, before Luis Diaz doubled the lead two minutes later with a finish inside the near post. 

Spurs found themselves three goals down inside 15 minutes after Mohamed Salah converted a penalty, with Cristian Romero bringing down Cody Gakpo inside the 18-yard box.

The north London club then clawed a goal back, with Harry Kane volleying home six minutes before the half-time break.

Spurs hit the post twice in the second half through Son Heung-min and Cristian Romero, with Mason’s side creating a handful of opportunities. 

But Son then raced clear to beat Alisson by finishing into the back of the net to give Spurs a glimmer of hope. 

Former Everton forward Richarlison then levelled the scoreline in dramatic fashion with a header, before Jota sealed the victory for Klopp’s side moments later.

The result sees Spurs drop to sixth, while Liverpool move up to fifth.

(Photo: Getty Images)

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