Liverpool scrambled to a 2-1 win at nine-man Tottenham, somehow surviving a chaotic finale which saw Richarlison pull one back and Cristian Romero shown a red for kicking out at Ibrahima Konate as Spurs chased a last-gasp leveller.
It had looked routine for Liverpool, with Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike goals putting them in control, following Xavi Simons' first-half sending off for putting his studs into Virgil van Dijk's calf.
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Alexander Isak scored for Liverpool against Spurs
Alexander Isak scores for Liverpool but injures himself in the process
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Hugo Ekitike doubles Liverpool's lead against Spurs.
Hugo Ekitike scores Liverpool's second
But with memories of Liverpool's recent collapse at Leeds from 2-0 to draw 3-3 fresh in the memory, there was late drama as Richarlison added to his impressive tally against the Reds and then saw Ibrahima Konate block to prevent him converting a quickfire double to rescue a point for Spurs.
Chaos in the capital! Key moments in a wild match...
Xavi Simons sent off after a VAR check for putting his studs into Virgil van Dijk's calf
Alexander Isak converts first Florian Wirtz PL assist - but is injured
Randal Kolo Muani sees a deflected shot hit the bar
Hugo Ekitike heads in a second for Liverpool
Richarlison pulls one back for Spurs in the 87th minute
Cristian Romero is sent off in the 93rd minute after kicking out at Ibrahima Konate
With the home crowd - incensed by referee John Brooks throughout the evening - roaring their side forwards, Romero kicked out at Konate as they tangled on the floor. The Spurs centre-back had been booked earlier in the game for bumping into the referee as he protested a decision. Even missing two players, Spurs threatened, with Wilson Odobert drawing Alisson into a full-stretch save with the last kick of the game.
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Xavi Simons is given a red card for a challenge on Virgil van Dijk
Spurs go down to ten men after John Brooks sends off Xavi Simons for his challenge on Virgil Van Dijk after consulting the pitchside monitor
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Romero kicks out at Konate while they were on the ground and is shown a red card - with Spurs going down to 9 men against Liverpool
Romero is shown a second yellow card for kicking out at Ibrahima Konate - resulting in a sending off and Spurs going down to nine men against Liverpool
Liverpool nerves had been jangling but the full-time whistle brought relief and fifth place in the Premier League. Injury to Isak in the process of scoring from a first Premier League assist from Florian Wirtz will be a concern but not as much as their inability to shut down games when they have the advantage.
Team news
Lucas Bergvall came in for Richarlison in Tottenham's only change from the loss at Nottingham Forest, with Randal Kolo Muani leading the line.
Alexander Isak was on the bench again for Liverpool, with Conor Bradley back from suspension and in for the injured Joe Gomez at right-back. Mo Salah is away at AFCON.
Isak had to hobble off after Micky van de Ven appeared to catch his ankle as he slid in to block the shot. Isak himself had been a half-time sub for injured right-back Conor Bradley.
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Richarlison gets one back for Spurs v Liverpool
Richarlison gave Spurs a lifeline
Spurs had come close to levelling in between Isak's slammed finish and Ekitike's towering header, with Randal Kolo Muani's shot deflecting up off Milos Kerkez, over Alisson and onto the face of the Liverpool bar.
But sub Richarlison set up a thrilling finish to the game with his sharp finish after Van Dijk had missed an attempted clearance. It was his eighth goal involvement against Liverpool, the Brazilian's favourite Premier League opponent.
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Randal Kolo Muani comes close to an equaliser for the home side
After a bad display at Nottingham Forest last weekend, their supporters appreciated the fight on Saturday night. Ultimately, though, it was another home defeat for Spurs. It was their 11th in the league of 2025 - a new, unwanted club record. They are down in 13th.
More to follow...
Simons' red card - The verdicts
Gary Neville at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:
"Virgil van Dijk is six foot four and 15 stone. If it is the other way around, it's a leg breaker.
"Thomas Frank is having a whinge about it, but none of the Tottenham players are complaining. The ones who have seen it are going 'what are you doing?'"
Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp:
"Xavi Simons does something so ridiculous that I don't know what he's thinking.
"He's got it completely wrong. He's [gone] into the back of him and catches his Achilles. It's a stupid challenge that constitutes a red card."
Sky Sports' Daniel Sturridge:
"It's unfortunate. It does look worse in slow motion.
"He's just got it wrong in how he's gone about it. I don't think he's a malicious type of player who would try and hurt an international team-mate. He's got it completely wrong."
Story of the match in stats...
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