Isak resurges for Liverpool as Wirtz delivers in 2-1 win; Frimpong returns from injury

Alexander Isak scored his second Premier League goal since joining Liverpool for a club-record £125 million, but his celebration was cut short as he collapsed to the turf clutching his lower leg. The forward remained on the ground for several moments before being helped to his feet and walking off, with Liverpool taking the precaution of sending him for scans to determine the injury’s extent. Manchester United and Liverpool colleagues have pressed for the game’s early signs to be encouraging, and Alisson Becker offered a cautious note, saying he thinks Isak will be OK, a sign of relief for a squad hoping to steady a turbulent period. The incident underscored the fragility that can accompany a big-money debut season, even as Isak’s strike offered a reminder of the player he can be when fully fit.

Isak’s goal arrived in the 55th minute after a 14-minute cameo that offered a glimpse of the threat Liverpool hoped to unlock. He received the ball midway in the Tottenham half, played a clever pass and darted into a shooting position before slipping a finish past the keeper. Florian Wirtz supplied the assist with a disguised ball that pulled defenders out of position and left Isak in space to finish. In total, the pair’s transfer fee represented about £241 million, a combined outlay that fans hoped would translate into regular, decisive contributions. While there is still a long way to go before Isak and Wirtz reach their ceiling, the late-season connection provided a much-needed reminder of the quality they can bring when firing on all cylinders.

The positive moment came against a backdrop of Frimpong’s return from injury. Jeremie Frimpong, substituted on and then later withdrawn with a busted lip, gave Slot a glimpse of what he can add on the right flank when fully fit. The Dutch full back, signed in the off-season from Bayer Leverkusen, had missed significant time with two hamstring injuries but looked to offer a different dynamic on the right. He combined with the attack with a smart delivery that set up a chance for Ekitike and proved to Slot that he can alter the team’s balance with his pace and creativity. His return adds a fresh dimension to Liverpool’s options on the flank, even as questions remain about the pace of his match sharpness after long layoffs.

Hugo Ekitike, meanwhile, continued to prove why goals remain a central currency for strikers. He found the net with a headed finish in a moment of poacher’s instinct, his fifth goal in the last three league games. The finish capped a display in which his all-around game—link-up play, off-the-ball movement, and willingness to drift into wider positions—echoed the approach that has helped Haaland dominate at City. Ekitike himself has spoken in the past about studying Haaland’s game, noting that adding a similar impact without always touching the ball is a key asset for a modern No. 9. The goal, while not the product of a single moment, underlined his continued relevance to Liverpool’s attacking plan.

Conor Bradley also contributed in a solid first half before his own afternoon was interrupted by injury. The Northern Irish right back, who has emerged as a reliable option for Slot, delivered a sturdy defensive performance and combined with the attackers in the early stages, providing a base for the team’s more forward-thinking players. The day’s lineup reinforced Liverpool’s plan to get the best of both of their right-back options—Frimpong’s energetic, creative presence and Bradley’s steadiness—once both are fully fit.

The result and the performances offered a lift amid a tricky period for the club. Isak and Wirtz had previously failed to consistently click in the early weeks, but a late-December display suggested what the club believed they could achieve when conditions align. The pair’s big-money arrival has been under close scrutiny, and while the season remains a work in progress, the 2-1 win against Tottenham indicated a potential pivot point. As the squad looks ahead to a busy Christmas schedule, scans will determine whether Isak can resume a steady run of fitness, and how quickly Frimpong and Bradley can both be available, fit and firing. Liverpool next host Wolverhampton Wanderers, a fixture that will test whether the current momentum can be sustained through the festive period.