It’s not often that Liverpool win and the negatives override the positives, but that’s how two Reds supporters assessed the 2-1 victory away to Spurs.
Arne Slot‘s champions did their best to blow a two-goal lead on Saturday, firstly against 10 and then nine men, stumbling over the finish line in the end.
Here, This is Anfield’s Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) and The Redmen TV’s Dan Clubbe (@dan_clubbe) dissect an important but unconvincing Liverpool win, discussing whether a corner has been turned or not.
The good…
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 20, 2025: Liverpool's goalscorer Hugo Ekitike after the FA Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Liverpool FC at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
DAN: It was another win and another potentially invaluable three points for whatever this season turns out to be.
Seeing Wirtz and Isak combine for the first goal, and the latter show his lethal touch in front of goal, was great, albeit now bittersweet and tinged with concern.
Hu-goal Ekitike, amirite?
He has the Midas touch right now, and a goalscorer in that kind of form can cover a multitude of sins elsewhere.
It was also nice to see bright moments from the lesser-spotted Frimpong the right winger!
Oh, and Alisson Becker. I am forever indebted to you.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 20, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz during the FA Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Liverpool FC at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
HENRY: Any win at Spurs is good, and it’s now three victories and two draws in the last five in the league.
The Isak goal was a great moment, but it sums up this season that even that came tinged with disappointment!
I thought Wirtz was class after the first red card – his use of a first-time pass is so underrated – and it was nice to see him bag his first Premier League assist.
As for Ekitike, what a signing he is. He has all the tools to be a world-class striker, and that leap above Romero was like watching LeBron James!
Alisson was priceless at the end, as Dan alludes to, and Virg was brilliant in those final minutes, despite being crap for Richarlison’s goal.
The bad…
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 20, 2025: Liverpool's Alexander Isak lies injured after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Liverpool FC at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
DAN: Unfortunately, many things. The head-loss and mismanagement in the closing stages against a nine-man Spurs needs studying.
We had seemingly got everything in order after a rather pedestrian hour or so of ‘action’, only to set the whole place on fire and bring on the chaos through our own fragility. Wild.
Injuries are a regular occurrence this season, having appeared to almost vanish last.
I’ve already mentioned Isak’s potential layoff, which looks like it could be a long one, and Bradley just can’t avoid issues.
The squad is starting to look paper-thin!
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 20, 2025: Referee John Brooks shows Tottenham Hotspur's captain Cristian Romero a red card for a second bookable offence during the FA Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Liverpool FC at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
HENRY: I can’t remember the last time a Liverpool win left me feeling so underwhelmed by the final whistle.
The Reds were appalling in stoppage time, with their mentality and game management such a concern whenever moments of adversity come their way.
It was so close to being like the Leeds game all over again, and Slot and the players need to look at themselves.
I didn’t think any individuals were poor, in fairness, but as Dan mentions, the injury to Isak is a big worry.
Months on the sidelines would be cruel after such a great finish, but it does feel like that may be the case.
And have Liverpool really turned a corner?
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 20, 2025: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot during the FA Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Liverpool FC at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
DAN: Results-wise, I’d be inclined to say yes, but while prevailing from a match like that away from home deserves credit, it was almost a catastrophe of our own making.
It’s clear to see we are nowhere near firing on all cylinders in any department just yet.
Factor in the current injury list and Szoboszlai’s suspension, and what is a favourable fixture list still seems thwart with unnecessary dangers.
So for now, I’ll reserve judgement on whether we have turned the corner, but at least we’ve got our foot on the brake and we’ve started our approach.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 20, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk after the FA Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Liverpool FC at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
HENRY: I’m also undecided about this, but my gut feeling is that this Liverpool team remain deeply flawed.
I’m aware that moaning too much after a win, and a six-game unbeaten run, can sound a bit spoiled, but there are still lots of issues.
The manner of the performances and tactics aren’t impressing me, despite the results, and if we’d ended up drawing 2-2 against Spurs, it would have been a disgrace.
I’m with Dan that a corner has clearly been turned in terms of winning games, but I want to see much more before I think Liverpool have truly overcome their early-season woes.