Liverpool secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over nine-man Tottenham Hotspur in a chaotic Premier League clash, but the win was overshadowed by a fresh injury concern for their record signing, Alexander Isak.
Second-half goals from Isak and in-form forward Hugo Ekitike were enough to earn the three points at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a result that lifts Arne Slot’s side to fifth in the table. The match, however, was defined by indiscipline from the hosts, who had Xavi Simons and captain Cristian Romero sent off, and by an anxious finale that again exposed Liverpool’s recent defensive frailties.
The final score was Tottenham Hotspur 1 and Liverpool 2.Liverpool’s goals came from Alexander Isak in the 56th minute and Hugo Ekitike in the 66th minute. Tottenham’s lone goal was scored by Richarlison in the 83rd minute. Tottenham received two red cards: the first for Xavi Simons in the 33rd minute and the second for Cristian Romero in stoppage time. The key moment of the match was Simons’ first-half red card for a reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk, which dramatically shifted the match’s balance. With this result, Liverpool rise to 5th in the Premier League, while Tottenham remain in 13th place.
The match’s pivotal moment arrived just past the half-hour mark.Tottenham playmaker Xavi Simons, attempting to press Virgil van Dijk, caught the Liverpool defender late on his calf with his studs. Referee John Brooks initially showed a yellow card, but after a review by the Video Assistant Referee, the decision was upgraded to a straight red. Manager Thomas Frank protested the decision, but the dismissal left his side to play nearly 60 minutes a man down.
Tottenham’s misery was compounded in stoppage time when captain Romero received a second yellow card for kicking out at Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate. His dismissal capped a disastrous personal performance, as he was also at fault for both Liverpool goals, first with a wayward pass that led to Isak’s opener and then being out-jumped by Ekitike for the second.
Arne Slot introduced Alexander Isak at halftime in search of a breakthrough,and the 130 million pound striker delivered just 11 minutes later. After a Tottenham error, Florian Wirtz played a perfectly weighted pass, and Isak finished coolly past goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. His joy was short-lived, however, as he was injured in a collision with defender Micky van de Ven during the shot and was forced to limp off immediately. The severity of the injury is a major concern with Mohamed Salah already away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Liverpool’s second came from their most confident attacker. Hugo Ekitike, who has now scored five goals in his last four appearances, rose brilliantly to head home a deflected cross from Jeremie Frimpong. The goal seemed to seal the win, but Liverpool’s inability to close out games resurfaced.
Despite being two goals ahead and facing ten men,Liverpool failed to kill the game. Tottenham substitute Richarlison scored in the 83rd minute to set up a tense finish, with the home side pushing aggressively for an unlikely equaliser even after Romero’s second red card. The late pressure highlighted a recurring vulnerability in Slot’s side, which has struggled to maintain control this season.
For Liverpool,the primary feeling will be relief. The victory extends their unbeaten run to six games and continues their climb up the table after a poor mid-season run. However, the injury to Isak and the nervy finish dampen the celebrations. Slot must find a reliable attacking solution in the coming weeks with two key forwards unavailable.
For Tottenham and Thomas Frank, the problems are mounting. The defeat is their fifth home league loss of the season, and they have won just one of their last eight Premier League matches. The individual errors and lack of discipline shown in this match are symptoms of a wider defensive crisis under Frank, whose side has now conceded 15 goals in its last five winless games.
