Liverpool cling on for 2-1 win at Tottenham as nine-man Spurs falter

Liverpool fought off a late scare to beat Tottenham 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, surviving with Spurs reduced to nine men after two red cards. Alexander Isak, used as a half-time substitute, opened the scoring before his knee buckled in the process of scoring. Hugo Ekitike added a second for Liverpool, and Richarlison pulled one back late to set up a nervy finish.

Xavi Simons was dismissed in the first half for a reckless studs-down challenge on Virgil van Dijk, and Cristian Romero earned a second yellow in stoppage time for dissent after Ekitike’s goal, leaving Tottenham with 10 men and then nine late on. The match featured eight bookings in total, under the watch of referee John Brooks.

Tottenham had looked comfortable for long stretches in the first half, pressing sparingly. The turning point arrived shortly after halftime when Isak, who had been introduced for Liverpool, drove in the opener after a patient buildup; the ball had come from a sequence that began when Alexis Mac Allister intercepted a pass from Romero and Jeremie Frimpong delivered the cross to Isak. Isak’s finish was clinical, but his celebration was marred by a knee twist as his left leg tangled with Micky van de Ven, casting doubt over the forward’s availability for future matches.

That left Liverpool ahead 1-0, and the game swung further in their favour when Ekitike headed in from Frimpong’s cross to make it 2-0. Tottenham briefly regrouped, but their hopes of a comeback were crushed when Richarlison came off the bench to reduce the arrears in the 83rd minute. The contest effectively ended when Romero received a second yellow in stoppage time for dissent after a late exchange near the touchline, preventing any sustained late pressure from Spurs.

Tottenham’s setup reflected a cautious approach, with Slot choosing a deeper defensive line and a measured press, hoping to smother Liverpool’s intent rather than engage in a high-energy high-press battle. The approach yielded moments of counter-attacking threat from Djed Spence and Mohammed Kudos on the flanks, but too often the wide men were contained and crosses gathered with relative ease. Kolo Muani offered a glancing spark, striking the bar with a deflected effort that hinted at Tottenham’s capacity to pinch a goal, but the execution and collective cohesion were not enough to alter the outcome.

Liverpool, by contrast, found solidity in their structure and the game management usually associated with a fully cohesive away performance. Their midfield and back line steadied after a nervy opening period, with Alexis Mac Allister instrumental in the opener sequence by winning a loose ball and releasing the play to the flanks before Isak finished. The visitors’ second goal emerged from a well-worked set as Jeremie Frimpong delivered a precise cross for Ekitike to head past the stranded defense.

For Tottenham, the loss continued a troubling run in the league, extending what one observer described as a frustrating season defined as much by ill-discipline as by inconsistency. Isak’s injury cast a shadow over Liverpool’s result, raising questions about his fitness and whether the winger-forward can sustain a return from a high-impact moment in a league campaign already marked by transfer-era expectations. If Liverpool are to push for a sustained run in the top four, this victory—achieved despite an unsettling late period—could serve as a reference point for their resilience and depth.

Tottenham remain committed to building from this setback, acknowledging that discipline will be a critical factor in their ability to compete against the league’s upper echelon during the rest of the campaign. Isak’s condition will be watched closely in the coming days, and Liverpool will be hoping for a favorable prognosis that keeps their attacking options competitive as the season progresses.