Liverpool hold off late challenge for dramatic win over nine-man Tottenham

Second-half goals by Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike helped Arne Slot’s Liverpool to a third consecutive victory with a dramatic 2-1 win over nine-man Tottenham.

The score barely told half the story of a bonkers Premier League encounter where Xavi Simons and later Cristian Romero were sent off for Spurs, who lost for a fifth time at home in the division this season.

An even contest tipped in the balance of Liverpool after 33 minutes when Xavi’s studs-up challenge on Virgil van Dijk’s Achilles earned the Tottenham playmaker a red card and Isak broke the deadlock in the 56th minute.

Half-time substitute Isak was immediately forced off through injury, but Ekitike grabbed his 11th goal for the Reds soon after.

A routine Liverpool triumph appeared on the cards, only for Spurs substitute Richarlison to pull one back with seven minutes left before Romero let his team down with a late kick-out at Ibrahima Konate as the hosts’ lost for a fifth time in eight matches under Thomas Frank.

Frank and Slot had both faced pressure for a poor run of results, but Liverpool arrived in north London unbeaten since November 30th and with the Mohammed Salah drama a distant memory.

In-form Ekitike was again preferred down the middle for the visitors and caused early problems for Romero before Spurs grabbed the initial foothold in the contest.

Randal Kolo Muani had a shot blocked by Conor Bradley before the Tottenham attacker sent another effort wide from a Pedro Porro cross.

A Van Dijk header straight at Guglielmo Vicario had provided a warning sign for the hosts, but Spurs continued to get joy and created an excellent chance in the 27th minute.

Djed Spence’s superb drag flick set away Archie Gray and Porro’s second cross picked out Kolo Muani,