Florian Wirtz‘s quality shone through in Liverpool’s 2-1 victory away to nine-man Tottenham, but was he the Reds’ best player?
Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool
Premier League (17) | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
December 20, 2025
Goals: Isak 56′, Ekitike 66′; Richarlison 83′
Sent-off: Simons 33′, Romero 90+3
Alisson – 7 (out of 10)
Once Spurs were down to 10 men, it was hoped that Alisson would have a quiet evening, instead he ended up saving the Reds at the end.
He did well to thwart danger when Randal Kolo Muani raced through, showing great composure, and he was reliable throughout.
Some great handling in the final minutes.
Conor Bradley – 6
Back in the team after suspension, Bradley made an important early block after getting himself in a mess, and did well to stop a Spurs counter-attack.
He was also frustrating on the ball, though, not keeping it in play a few times and failing to offer enough attacking quality.
Replaced at half-time.
Ibrahima Konate – 6
Konate did fine, barring one error that nearly allowed Kolo Muani in on goal, only for Alisson to save his blushes.
Made a vital block to deny Richarlison when Liverpool were rocking late on, but gave away a couple of needless free-kicks.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
Van Dijk hit the target with a header, but his biggest involvement in the first half was the awful tackle on him that saw Xavi Simons sent off.
Made one important headed clearance towards the end, but poor for Richarlison’s goal, air-kicking an attempted clearance.
Still not the Virg of old, in terms of being so faultless.
Milos Kerkez – 7
Kerkez continued his improved form in north London, with one block in the second half seeing the ball loop onto the crossbar.
Admittedly, he was more solid than spectacular, but that is what is needed from him at the moment, rather than an erratic presence.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
Gravenberch was relatively quiet but kept things ticking over at the heart of the midfield.
He was too quiet as the game went on, especially given Liverpool’s numerical advantage, with more needed when the Reds lost control of the match.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6
Another who has played better this season, Szoboszlai was still perfectly adequate, but lacked a spark throughout the opening 45 minutes.
Moved to right-back after Bradley came off at half-time, where he did well, but misses the Wolves game after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season.
Curtis Jones – 6
Jones was disappointing here, not hitting his recent heights.
So sloppy late on when he lost the ball, allowing Richarlison to race though, but Konate bailed him out.
Didn’t stamp his authority enough, despite the result.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
Again deployed in a more attack-minded midfield role, Mac Allister was relatively unnoticeable, apart from when it came to winning free-kicks.
It isn’t necessarily working using him in this position, with only 46 touches far fewer than he would have deeper in midfield.
Florian Wirtz – 7 (Man of the Match)
After Simons’ red card, Wirtz seemed to come alive, finding pockets of space and being denied by Guglielmo Vicario.
He was great to watch in tight areas, so often producing one-touch class, and he got his first Premier League assist, deftly setting up Isak.
Best player on the pitch, but it must be stressed that it wasn’t exactly a high-quality affair!
Hugo Ekitike – 7
Ekitike was frustratingly quiet in the first half, but he received a complete lack of service.
He was far better after the break, finding himself involved in Alexander Isak‘s goal, before burying a brilliant header soon after.
Liverpool’s signing of the summer.
Substitutes
Alexander Isak (on for Bradly, 46′) – 7
Opened the scoring with a clinical finish but cruelly injured while finding the net.
Hopefully, he isn’t out for a while.
Jeremie Frimpong (on for Isak, 59′) – 7
Assisted Ekitike’s goal with a deflected cross and looked lively on the right wing.
Replaced after losing his head late on, claiming he was elbowed by Richarlison.
Federico Chiesa (on for Frimpong, 90′)
Andy Robertson (on for Ekitike, 90+9)
Trey Nyoni (on for Wirtz, 90+9)
Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Lucky, Ramsay, Ngumoha
Arne Slot – 7
Having steadied the ship, Slot knew victory over Spurs would be another massive step in the right direction.
Few could have any issues about his starting XI, given the unavailability and form of some, but the first half was a dull affair and Liverpool lacked creativity.
Up against 10 men, with Isak introduced, it was still a slow start after the break.
The game management at 2-1 against both ten and then nine men was woeful.
Slot will be feeling far happier about things after six unbeaten, but there is still a lot to work on.