Dele Alli posts screenshot of the WhatsApp conversation he had with Ruben Loftus-Cheek following red card on Como debut

Dele Alli has shared the WhatsApp conversation he had with Ruben Loftus-Cheek after the midfielder was shown a red card on his Como debut for a challenge on the AC Milan midfielder.

More than two years after making his last competitive appearance, Alli made his much-anticipated return to football on Saturday night as he replaced Lucas Da Cunha in the 81st minute.

It was the 28-year-old's first run out since February 2023 but in the dying embers, his long-awaited debut turned sour when referee Matteo Marchetti brandished a red card in the first minute of second-half stoppage time.

After catching the back of Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s calf with his studs high, Alli was initially shown a yellow card.

But following a brief VAR review, Marchetti changed his mind and the caution turned into a red as Kyle Walker, who is on loan at Milan, appeared to plead with the official to show some remorse.

On Sunday morning, Alli reacted to being sent off against AC Milan in a post on his Instagram story.

He wrote: "I was always going to announce my return in some way after these past two years, would rather it had been with a goal [cover face emoji] but feels good to be back [love heart emoji]."

And a few hours later, the former Spurs midfielder posted on his Instagram again. This time, he uploaded two in-game shots, as well as a picture from the Como dressing room ahead of kick-off.

Alli also gave an insight into his post-match conversation with Ruben Loftus-Cheek, posting a screenshot from WhatsApp.

As you can see from the image below, Alli admits to trying to clip Loftus-Cheek's heel, while the former Chelsea midfielder said he stayed down because he was "blowing" in the final stages.

Alli's post-match conversation with Loftus-Cheek. Image credit: X/Dele

Speaking in his post-match interview, Como manager Cesc Fabregas was in no mood to defend his player.

“Dele Alli is a player who can score goals, he perhaps didn’t deserve this opportunity because he has only been working with us for two weeks and has a lot to improve," he told DAZN.

"It is a grave mistake, one that we should not see from a player of his experience."

Fabregas added: “It was a clear red card, there’s nothing to be said about that, he left the team down to 10 men during a crucial moment when we were pushing for 2-2. That is the most negative thing about this evening, but we keep going.”