Liverpool survived a late scare to win 2-1 over Tottenham on Saturday, edging out a chaotic clash which saw the hosts reduced to nine men in north London.
Xavi Simons was sent off for a foolish and recklessly late challenge on Virgil van Dijk, handing Liverpool a man advantage heading into the break.
British record signing Alexander Isak, who came on at half-time, fired the visitors ahead with a smart finish just before the hour mark, only to be forced off with injury after being caught by Micky van de Ven as the ball rippled the net.
Hugo Ekitike continued his hot streak with an excellent header to double Liverpool’s lead, before Richarlison set up a nervy finish with a goal of his own off the bench.
With the crowd up and Spurs pushing for a late winner, Cristian Romero made his team’s task harder with Tottenham’s second red card of the afternoon, this time a second yellow for lashing out at Reds centre-half Ibrahima Konate.
Daily Mail Sport’s LEWIS STEELE was at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to rate and review the players as Liverpool carved out a third successive win in all competitions.
Hugo Ekitike continued his hot streak in front of goal as Liverpool won 2-1 against Tottenham
Xavi Simons (above) and Cristian Romero were both sent off – leaving Spurs with just nine men
Alexander Isak scored the opener for Liverpool but was immediately forced off with an injury
TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1)
Guglielmo Vicario – 6
Smart save to deny Wirtz in the first half. Could do nothing about Liverpool’s goals.
Pedro Porro – 6.5
Got forward well and had a big task on his hand up against the marauding Kerkez on his flank.
Cristian Romero – 4 (Sent off)
Stupid red card, both for moaning at the referee. His Spurs side may have had a chance to draw with 10 men.
Micky Van de Ven – 5.5
Ekitike gave him a tough battle.
Djed Spence – 6.5
Attacked with promise and caused all sorts of problems.
Rodrigo Bentancur – 6
Gave the ball away cheaply too often. Liverpool won the midfield battle.
Archie Gray – 5.5
Some nice moments but could not keep up with the away team’s midfielders.
Mohammed Kudus – 6
Looked the most dangerous of any Spurs player early doors. He is a creative outlet that can cause issues for any team.
Cristian Romero let his side down with a stupid red card while Spurs were in the ascendancy
Lucas Bergvall – 5.5
A tidy player but could not impact the game how he may have liked.
Xavi Simons – 3 (Sent off)
Could have zero complaints for the red card. What was he thinking? Let his team down with a completely needless challenge.
Randal Kolo Muani – 6
Had two golden chances in the first half, one with his head and one in the six-yard box, and he really should have converted at least one.
Substitutes
Brennan Johnson (for Kudus 58) – 6
Wilson Odobert (for Bergvall 71) – 6
João Palhinha (for Gray 71) – 6
Richarlison (for Kolo Muani 80)
Not used: Antonin Kinsky, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, Radu Dragusin, Mathys Tel.
Manager
Thomas Frank – 6 (Booked)
Was let down by silly red cards, especially from Simons. His team created more than enough to win.
Randal Kolo Muani had two golden chances in the first half but failed to capitalise on them
LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1)
Alisson – 7
Would have been cold in the second half as Spurs barely ventured forward but will be annoyed to concede and not keep the clean sheet. Big interventions in the last five minutes.
Conor Bradley – 7
Unlucky to be substituted at half-time and many will hope that was tactical and not fitness related because he was excellent in the first half with several crucial interventions.
Ibrahima Konate – 7.5 (Booked)
Much improved performance from the Frenchman who had been criticised for a lot of this season. Highlight was a late block on Richarlison.
Virgil van Dijk – 5.5
At fault for Spurs’ goal when he swung and missed at an attempted clearance to allow Richarlison to score.
Milos Kerkez – 7
Got forward well and caused issues for Porro but his end ball was somewhat lacking. More dangerous than most of his Liverpool outings, though.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
Some silky moments in midfield as ever.
Alexis Mac Allister – 5 (Booked)
Did not impact the game as he may have liked.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6 (Booked)
Misses the next game against Wolves due to an avoidable yellow card. A solid performance as usual, though.
Florian Wirtz, the most creative player on the pitch, had one of his best days in a Liverpool shirt
Curtis Jones – 6
Had been in his best run of form for some time for Liverpool and played some lovely line-breaking passes here but was a lucky man after a late misplaced pass was not punished.
Florian Wirtz – 8 (MOTM)
So unlucky not to score in the first half after some dancing footwork. Sumptuous assist for Isak’s opener. The best creative spark on the pitch for Liverpool.
Hugo Ekitike – 7.5
Barely had a sniff in the first 60 minutes but then scored to make it 2-0 and put the game to bed after 66. It is what the best strikers do – influence games. Five in three league games now.
Substitutes
Alexander Isak (for Bradley, 46) – 6
Jeremie Frimpong (for Isak, 55) – 6
Federico Chiesa (for Frimpong 90)
Andy Robertson (for Ekitike 90+9)
Trey Nyoni (for Wirtz 90+10).
Not used: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Wellity Lucky, Rio Ngumoha, Calvin Ramsay.
Ekitike did what top strikers do at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – influence games with goals
Manager
Arne Slot – 6
Game management must improve but another good win.
Referee
John Brooks – 7
Got both red cards correct.
