Diogo Jota Lucky To Avoid Red Card After Kicking Oliver Skipp In Forehead

Diogo Jota was lucky not receive a red card after kicking Olivier Skipp in the head before scoring a late winning goal in a 4-3 victory over Tottenham.

Diogo Jota scored the winning goal in Liverpool's 4-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday but he arguably should not have been on the field.

Thirteen minutes prior to his stoppage-time strike, Jota received a yellow card for a dangerous foul on Spurs midfielder Oliver Skipp.

Jota's foot was raised above his chest when he made contact with Skipp's forehead.

Skipp needed medical treatment after the foul drew blood but, despite the incident being reviewed by the VAR, Jota was not sent off.

Diogo Jota receives a yellow after kicking Oliver Skipp in the head.

📺: @USANetwork | #LIVTOT pic.twitter.com/mSOro9z7Cx

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 30, 2023

Tottenham midfielder Oliver Skipp pictured receiving medical treatment after being kicked in the head by Diogo Jota (not in shot) :: IMAGO/Sportimage/Darren Staples

Should Diogo Jota have seen red? 🟥 pic.twitter.com/pXQUy5GFy4

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 30, 2023

Spurs interim manager Ryan Mason was baffled by this decision.

"I need an explanation," Mason told BBC Sport. "I want to know why the referee on the pitch didn't see it, but also why an experienced one in the VAR room can't.

"Its hard to justify how that isn't a red card. It ticks all the boxes for dangerous play so it's hard to understand why."

Sky Sports pundits Robbie Keane, Jamie Redknapp and Graeme Souness all agreed that the foul should have resulted in a red card.

Jota himself was asked about the incident and he told Match of the Day: "It's not a great tackle.

"I also touched the ball. I also think he gets his head down. It's just brave from him.

"Unfortunately it's a foot in the face. I saw the ref could see I didn't mean it and it's just football."