Curtis Jones was sent off for Liverpool on Saturday evening, but he had an unlikely backer in the form of Gary Neville.
The ex-Manchester United man is rarely sympathetic towards Liverpool players, but he made his feelings clear in the commentary box that Jones didn't deserve to receive his marching orders.
The midfielder was initially given a yellow card before VAR intervened to upgrade the punishment to a red, and from looking at it, it's hard to argue.
His foot is planted right into the shin of Yves Bissouma, and whether Jones intended to injure the Mali international or not, the result could have been a lot worse.
Neville's opinion that Jones' punishment was harsh was roundly mocked on social media, with many surprised that he was so adamant.
Gary Neville is genuinely one of the worst pundits/commentators around now. At the start of his media career he was good because you could tell he put the work in but it's been years since that was the case and his output is mostly embarrassing now.
— Chelsea Youth (@chelseayouth) September 30, 2023
Not quite sure why Gary Neville doesn’t think this is a red card with how these challenges are refereed these days. pic.twitter.com/iQ9itzjt30
— Scott Saunders (@__scottsaunders) September 30, 2023
Gary Neville is all over the place here. What is he on about. Clear red.
— Flav (@Flav_Bateman) September 30, 2023
Liverpool fans agree with Gary Neville over Curtis Jones red card
Unsurprisingly, those of a Liverpool persuasion reluctantly agreed with Neville, as they also criticised the decision to send Jones off.
"Even Gary Neville didn't think it was a red card, for crying out loud," tweeted Liverpool fan account Empire of the Kop, with Redmen TV adding: "Gary Neville is adamant that's not a red. Tells you everything really."
Gary Neville is adamant that's not a red.
Tells you everything really— The Redmen TV (@TheRedmenTV) September 30, 2023
Even Gary Neville didn't think it was a red card, for crying out loud! 🤯 #LFC
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) September 30, 2023
Jones wasn't the only Liverpool player to receive his marching orders at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Dioga Jota being sent off for a second yellow card just before the 70-minute mark.
Being down to nine men, Liverpool had to defend resolutely for the remainder of the game, and it looked like they had gotten away with a point until deep into injury time, when Joel Matip converted the ball into his own net from a Pedro Porro cross.
The 2-1 win for Spurs means that they remain undefeated in the Premier League this season.
