Liverpool edge Tottenham 2-1 as Spurs reduced to nine after two red cards

Liverpool edged Tottenham 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, extending their winning run to three games in all competitions. The match was marked by discipline issues for Spurs, who were reduced to nine men after two red cards — Xavi Simons for a reckless late challenge on Virgil van Dijk and Cristian Romero for a second yellow following a confrontation with Ibrahima Konate.

Alexander Isak, introduced at half-time for Liverpool, fired the visitors ahead with a precise finish just before the hour, though he was later forced off with an injury sustained as the ball crossed the line. Hugo Ekitike then capped a timely upturn in form with a header to double Liverpool’s lead in the 66th minute, putting the visitors in control as Spurs pressed for a way back into the game.

Richarlison came off the bench to pull Tottenham within a goal in the final stages, but Liverpool withstood the late pressure to seal the win. The hosts’ discipline issues overshadowed a late attempt at a comeback, with Romero’s red card leaving Spurs with nine men as the clock ran down. Liverpool’s win keeps their momentum going, while Tottenham must regroup quickly amid ongoing questions about how they manage high-intensity moments late in matches.

Florian Wirtz provided the creative spark for Liverpool, delivering the key pass for Isak’s opener and producing one of his most influential displays in a Liverpool shirt. The German playmaker, along with a restructured defensive line and solid goalkeeping from Alisson Becker, helped Liverpool navigate a chaotic 90 minutes. Wirtz’s influence underscored Liverpool’s growing attacking threat and their ability to dictate tempo even when the match swung on moments of discipline and risk.

Tottenham, by contrast, will return home with mixed feelings. Manager Thomas Frank will be left to reckon with the two red cards that derailed the match and a final period of pressure that failed to yield an equaliser. Kudus and Bentancur showed signs of quality in open play, but Spurs could not sustain momentum once they found themselves ousted to nine men. The result leaves Liverpool in a strong position as they chase further momentum in the fixture list, while Tottenham must reassemble quickly and address the issues that resurfaced in a high-stakes, high-tempo encounter.