Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool produced a hard-fought 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur in a dramatic Premier League clash on Sunday. The Reds faced a Spurs side reduced to nine men by the final whistle, but the game was far from straightforward. Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak both scored for Liverpool, but the Sweden international was forced off after opening the scoring, raising concern among fans.
The match started cautiously, with both sides avoiding unnecessary risks. Liverpool had early chances through Virgil van Dijk and Kolo Muani, but both efforts were easily saved by the goalkeepers. The game turned when Tottenham’s Xavi Simons was sent off in the 33rd minute after a reckless studs-down challenge on van Dijk. VAR upgraded the original yellow card to red, leaving Spurs with ten men and the home crowd booing the decision.
Alexander Isak came on at half-time for Conor Bradley and wasted no time making an impact. He fired Liverpool ahead after capitalizing on a loose pass from Spurs captain Cristian Romero. Moments later, Hugo Ekitike doubled the lead with a towering header. Tottenham briefly responded through Richarlison from a corner, but they finished the game with nine men after Romero received a second yellow for a late challenge on Ibrahima Konate. The result lifts Liverpool to fifth, level on points with Chelsea, and just outside the Champions League places on goal difference.
In the aftermath, Liverpool boss Arne Slot addressed one of the game’s key decisions: substituting Jeremie Frimpong. Slot confirmed the move was tactical, not injury-related. “Jeremie has no [injury] problem. I didn’t want to go down to 10 men for 30 seconds. I adapted to that. I knew there wasn’t long to play,” he explained. Slot added that the priority was securing points. “We are picking up points and that’s the main thing,” he told Sky Sports.
Slot’s comments highlight the careful management behind Liverpool’s victory. Even in a game dominated by red cards and late drama, he chose to protect the team and maintain control rather than take unnecessary risks. The tactical switch paid off, helping Liverpool hold off Tottenham’s fightback and move closer to a Champions League spot.
Read more: Arne Slot comments on Alexander Isak injury
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