Liverpool Survive Late Scare to Edge Spurs in Fiery Clash
Key Takeaways
- Liverpool secured a hard-fought 1-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitiké struck for seventh-placed Liverpool before Richarlison's late consolation
- Tottenham were reduced to nine men after Cristian Romero's second yellow card in stoppage time
- The referee brandished eight cards in a feisty affair that saw Liverpool dominate possession
LONDON, ENGLAND — Alexander Isak emerged as the catalyst for seventh-placed Liverpool's crucial 1-2 victory over 11th-placed Tottenham Hotspur, breaking the deadlock in the 56th minute before Hugo Ekitiké sealed the points in front of 61,138 supporters at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Swedish striker's clinical finish set Liverpool on course for three vital points that lifted them to 26 points, though they survived a nervy finale after Richarlison's 83rd-minute strike set up a frantic conclusion.
Liverpool dominated the ball with 65.1% possession, pinning Tottenham Hotspur back for long stretches, yet it was the hosts who created more opportunities. Tottenham unleashed 15 shots to Liverpool's eight, but the visitors proved far more clinical when it mattered. The breakthrough arrived just before the hour mark when Florian Wirtz threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the Spurs defence, allowing Isak to slot his left-footed effort from the centre of the box into the middle of the goal. Alisson Becker had been relatively untroubled until that point, but the goal shifted the momentum decisively. Ten minutes later, Ekitiké doubled the advantage with a close-range header that flew into the top right corner, giving Fraser Forster no chance. Tottenham's hopes flickered back to life when Richarlison powered home a right-footed shot from the centre of the box following a corner, but by then the damage was done.
The tactical battle saw Liverpool's midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Curtis Jones control proceedings, though Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur and Archie Gray fought valiantly to disrupt their rhythm. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté stood firm at the back for Liverpool, with Konaté particularly impressive in his aerial duels against Randal Kolo Muani. Alisson made four crucial saves to preserve Liverpool's advantage, including a vital stop from Pedro Porro's long-range effort in stoppage time. At the other end, Forster managed just two saves as Liverpool's superior possession translated into better quality chances.
Despite Tottenham's shot advantage of 15 to eight, both sides registered four efforts on target, highlighting Liverpool's greater efficiency in front of goal. The referee was busy throughout, brandishing eight cards in total—three yellows apiece and two red cards for the hosts. Cristian Romero received his marching orders in the 93rd minute after picking up a second yellow card, leaving Tottenham to finish with nine men. The Argentine defender's dismissal capped a frustrating afternoon for Spurs, who also saw Micky van de Ven and Rodrigo Bentancur cautioned as tempers flared.
The turning point arrived in the 66th minute with Ekitiké's header, which effectively killed the contest. Tottenham manager's decision to introduce Richarlison for Kolo Muani in the 80th minute nearly paid immediate dividends, as the Brazilian's goal sparked hope of an unlikely comeback. But with Romero's dismissal in the dying moments, any realistic chance of salvaging a point evaporated. Pedro Porro and Djed Spence pushed forward desperately, but Liverpool's defensive organization held firm through nine minutes of added time.
Looking ahead, Tottenham Hotspur will host Crystal Palace on December 28 as they look to bounce back from this disappointing defeat and climb away from mid-table mediocrity.