Jota apologizes to Skipp for head clash in Liverpool win

Liverpool’s forward, Diogo Jota, has expressed that he said sorry to Tottenham’s midfielder, Oliver Skipp, after accidentally hitting him on the head during their 4-3 triumph on Sunday.

Jota’s high boot came into contact with Skipp’s head, which caused him to exit the game with a severe cut, and the Spurs supporters were furious as Jota escaped punishment.

Their anger heightened when Jota scored the winning goal, with many believing he should have been sent off. Jota confirmed that he apologized to Skipp immediately after the match but also maintained that he agreed with the referee’s decision not to issue him a red card.

“It was not good, obviously it’s not my intention to cause any harm to him,” Jota told Premier League Productions. “But unfortunately, it happened.

“I asked him ‘sorry’, that’s all I could do after that bad tackle but I also think it’s not a red because I touched the ball and there was no intention to cause him any harm.”

ALSO READ: Hakimi sees red as PSG fall to shock 3-1 defeat against Lorient

Despite Jota’s belief, Spurs interim boss Ryan Mason was left stunned that Jota avoided further punishment for the incident.

ALSO READ: Journalists reveals Odegaard turned down Liverpool despite Gerrard charm offensive

“It’s one of the clearest red cards I’ve seen, it’s difficult to take,” Mason told Sky Sports. “It’s an impossible one to miss.

“When you talk about endangering an opponent, to draw blood from a stud when Skipp’s head is five-and-a-half feet in the air baffles me. That type of decision is maybe the difference between winning the game or not.

“It’s tough to understand and I would like an explanation. I saw the incident in real time and you have a feel for those sort of moments. The VAR official has the benefit of a replay.”

Mason continued: “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.

“Probably more so an experienced referee in the VAR room, you want him to help the official on the pitch in that moment. Listen, it’s decided the game because that player on the pitch shouldn’t have been on there at the end. I’m pretty sure most football people’s opinions will probably feel the same.“