Isak injures after opener as Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-0; Ekitike seals win

Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-0 in London after Alexander Isak, brought on at half-time for Conor Bradley, opened the scoring in the 56th minute but was forced off with a serious injury moments later. The Swede’s goal gave Liverpool the lead and added to a sense of momentum for a side aiming to build on steady improvement this season.

Isak's goal came when he fired home from the edge of the box after a patient Liverpool move, just after the restart. The attacker was challenged by Micky van de Ven as he took the shot and landed awkwardly, prompting immediate treatment from the physio staff. He remained on the grass for several minutes before being helped off the pitch. A stretcher was brought to the scene but was not used, fueling a brief moment of confusion in the dugout as the players and coaching staff regrouped ahead of the rest of the match. The incident underscored the fragility of Isak’s return to full fitness after a high-profile transfer, and the club quickly shifted attention to managing the setback while preserving their advantage.

Frimpong, who had only just returned from a hamstring injury, came on to replace Isak but was withdrawn later after suffering a cut lip. The winger appeared to vent his frustration toward referee John Brooks during a stoppage, though the assessment at the touchline suggested the injury was not as serious as Isak’s. The late substitution change briefly altered Liverpool’s balance as Tottenham looked to apply pressure in the final third, but the Blues held firm and managed to preserve the clean sheet.

Liverpool’s second came in the 66th minute through Hugo Ekitike, who finished after a quick break down the left flank. The substitute’s strike capped a controlled performance from the champions, who weathered the post-Isak period without losing momentum and extended their firm grip on the contest. The result kept Liverpool in contention near the top of the table as they navigated a period of fixture congestion and the evolving fitness of key players.

The day’s events added to a broader narrative around Isak’s signing. The £125 million arrival from Newcastle United was the most expensive transfer in Liverpool’s history, but the striker has faced a slow start to life on Merseyside. He arrived amid questions about his pre-season condition, having trained largely away from the main squad and missing Newcastle’s pre-season trip as the protracted exit played out. Isak did not make his Liverpool debut until September 17, coming on against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, the first competitive action since May. Slot acknowledged at the time that Isak’s pre-season needed to be built from the ground up, emphasizing that the striker’s fitness would dictate the pace of his integration. Slot has also been managing the squad with Salah preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations, a balancing act that has colored the early part of Isak’s Liverpool career. In 16 appearances so far this season, Isak has three goals, with some of them arriving as a substitute, underscoring the ongoing challenge of getting him consistently up to speed. The club’s coaching staff remain hopeful that Isak can translate his potential into sustained performances once he fully regains sharpness and continuity in training.