Liverpool edge Spurs 2-1 as two red cards derail Tottenham

Liverpool edged Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Hugo Ekitike’s late header proving decisive as Liverpool clung to victory after Spurs battled back from a two-goal deficit. The result left Spurs frustrated and short-handed, having finished the match with nine men after two red cards altered the pace and outcome of the contest.

Tottenham, under manager Thomas Frank, found themselves chasing and a man light after Xavi Simons was sent off in the first half for a foul on Virgil van Dijk that refereeing officials deemed serious foul play. The dismissal shifted the balance in a match that Liverpool had begun to control, and the visitors extended their advantage as the game wore on. Tottenham pushed to seize momentum as goal threat emerged from Richarlison, who came off the bench to sting the nerves of the away side, while Joao Palhinha and others pressed high to disrupt Liverpool’s buildup.

When the match swung further in Liverpool’s favor, Cristian Romero picked up a yellow for dissent and then escalated matters by kicking out at Ibrahima Konate, earning a straight red that left Spurs with nine men and a daunting task to chase the result. The sending-off compounded Tottenham’s problems, as they were already without the rhythm of a full complement in midfield and attack.

Earlier, Romero had looked solid against Hugo Ekitike, who led the Liverpool line and caused Spurs trouble with his movement and aerial presence. Ekitike rose to meet a cross and headed in the second goal, extending Liverpool’s lead before Richarlison's late strike gave Tottenham a glimmer of hope. The Brazil forward’s cameo provided a spark, but it arrived too late for Spurs to overturn the deficit or force a point from the exchange of blows.

Tottenham had shown early intent, with Djed Spence providing width and linking play between the lines as Lucas Bergvall operated on the left side of a 4-2-3-1 setup. Kolo Muani, deployed with some protection, found moments of joy when Spurs moved the ball quickly, but Liverpool’s structure and the front-foot tempo of their attackers kept Spurs at bay for much of the first half.

The match unfolded with a blend of end-to-end play and stoppages caused by discipline issues. Simons’ red curtailed the hosts’ ambition, while Romero’s dismissal after a dissenting yellow turned a tense afternoon into a fight against the odds. Spurs’ crowd, which had earlier shown signs of frustration, raised their voices again as Richarlison re-entered the fray and the clock ticked toward the final whistle.

For Liverpool, the win cemented their position in the mix as the season advanced, with Ekitike’s header delivering the cushion they required after taking an early lead. It was a match of contrasts: Liverpool’s efficiency when presented with chances, and Tottenham’s late-season resilience tested by discipline and discipline-related setbacks. The result adds to Tottenham’s growing list of home disappointments in 2025, underscoring a difficult period that they will aim to turn around in the weeks ahead.

Tottenham’s season-long struggles at home continued with this defeat, marking their 11th Premier League loss on home soil in the calendar year. They have won just four at home in 2025, a stat that will intensify scrutiny around the club’s direction and the manager’s approach as the campaign progresses. As the dust settled, Liverpool left with three points, while Tottenham reflected on a match shaped by red cards, a late fightback, and a narrow margin that decided the result.