Liverpool survived a late scare to beat nine-man Tottenham 2-1 in their latest Premier League outing as they look ahead to a clash against bottom-side Wolves
Liverpool manager Arne Slot (left) embraces Hugo Ekitike after he is substituted during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has made a demand of Hugo Ekitike
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Arne Slot's Liverpool overcame a late barrage from nine-man Tottenham in their last Premier League clash. The Reds were 2-1 victors but lost Alexander Isak to injury.
Tottenham's Xavi Simons was sent off in the first half during Liverpool's trip to London and they soon capitalised when Isak stroked his side ahead in the 56th minute. But defender Micky van de Ven's follow-through caught the Swede, who limped off and suffered a fractured leg.
Isak underwent surgery on Monday and is expected to be sidelined for a handful of months, meaning he'll miss the Reds' next Premier League clash against Wolves.
Hugo Ekitike demand
Before Liverpool clash with Wolves, Slot admitted that he is expecting Ekitike to get stronger with a newfound sense of responsibility. Slot said. "Still he needs to get stronger but he has already become stronger.
"I don't think he changed a lot in all his offensive qualities. He's fast, he can score a goal, he has great footwork, he's got dribbling skills. He has so much in his locker, I think that's the way you say it here.
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, gives instructions to Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on October 04, 2025 in London, England
Slot thinks Ekitike still needs to get stronger
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"I think he's adjusted to the Premier League now. Now he has to not only adjust but make sure, with his physique, how fast he is. He can become also physically outstanding, and that's where he's working really hard.
"By the way, in the last three, four minutes, he was very, very, very tired in the Tottenham game as well. I see this more often but that is maybe also because so many of the same players constantly have to play, there's hardly any rest for them.
"I have to give them a lot of compliments that they constantly can bring what they are bringing, playing so many games, hardly any rest because we don't have so many chances to rotate. Every single time they fight, fight, fight from the first second until the last and Hugo is one of them."
Arne Slot blasts Tottenham star
While manager Slot was quick to sing Ekitike's praises after making his strength demand, the Dutchman did not have such kind words for Tottenham's Van de Ven.
It was the defender who slid in to attempt to block Isak's goal-bound shot and ended up catching the striker badly. Isak's leg was caught between both of Van de Ven's and contorted severely.
Slot was asked whether any action should have been taken and he was quick to call out Van de Ven for what he dubbed a "reckless" challenge on his club-record £120million striker.
Alexander Isak of Liverpool scores for 0-1 but suffers an injury during the Premier League match against Tottenham
Van de Ven's follow-through injured Isak
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"It was a reckless challenge," said Slot. "I've said a lot about the tackle of Xavi Simons, which for me was completely unintentional. I don't think you will ever get an injury out of a tackle like that.
He added: "But the tackle of Van de Ven, if you make a tackle like that 10 times, 10 times there is a serious chance the player gets a serious injury."
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