Isak and Ekitike strike for Slot’s side but late Richarlison goal exposes defensive nerves
Liverpool ground out a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur to extend their unbeaten run to six games across all competitions, staying level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea despite a frantic second half that tested their fragile composure. Alexander Isak opened the scoring 11 minutes after halftime, only to limp off injured moments later, before Hugo Ekitike doubled the lead with a towering header from Jeremie Frimpong’s cross. Tottenham pulled one back through substitute Richarlison in the 83rd minute amid a scramble, but Arne Slot’s side clung on even after Spurs were reduced to nine men with Xavi Simons’ early red card and Cristian Romero’s late second yellow.
Tottenham started brightly, pressing Liverpool effectively and creating chances through coordinated high pressure that disrupted build-up play, but Simons’ studs-up challenge on Virgil van Dijk, upgraded to red after VAR review, shifted momentum midway through the first half. Thomas Frank reshaped to a 4-4-1 with Randal Kolo Muani dropping deep, and Spurs remained resilient, hitting the bar through Kolo Muani and nearly equalizing late before Romero’s dismissal. Slot praised the professionalism but was dismayed by Liverpool’s game management after conceding, as they dropped deep and conceded 95 per cent possession in added time, inviting needless pressure.
Isak’s opener, assisted by Florian Wirtz after a clever exchange with Ekitike, marked the £241 million summer duo’s first Premier League link-up goal, a bright spot overshadowed by his worrying withdrawal after clashing with Micky van de Ven. Ekitike’s clinical header embodied classic No. 9 traits: physicality to bully Romero and aerial dominance, making it five goals in three league starts and underscoring his growing centrality with Mohamed Salah at AFCON and Cody Gakpo sidelined. Djed Spence impressed for Spurs with marauding runs and solid defending before the sending-offs.
Slot’s substitutions, including Isak for Conor Bradley at halftime, added firepower against 10 men, but Liverpool’s control faltered late, with Van Dijk’s clearance error sparking Richarlison’s finish and exposing familiar set-piece vulnerabilities. Tottenham showed spirit under Frank, who protested the reds and Ekitike’s “two hands in the back” goal, but the result protects him from home-form scrutiny. For Liverpool, the three points halt slide but highlight frailties: Dominik Szoboszlai’s suspension and injury concerns loom ahead of Wolves, while the title feels distant despite Champions League security.
