Liverpool verdict from Paul Gorst at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the Reds beat nine-man Spurs 2-1
For 83 minutes, anyone searching for proof that Liverpool had finally turned the corner on their season will have gathered plenty of evidence here at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
With Arne Slot's side in full control at 2-0, cruising to a sixth game unbeaten - and a third successive clean sheet - against the 10 men of Spurs, everything was pointing towards a largely stress-free day at the office.
A sloppy concession changed all of that, however, and despite offering very little in the final third prior to Richarlison's 83rd-minute effort, it was the hosts who suddenly looked the most likely to score again, even when they were given their second red card of the game for Cristian Romero.
OPINION
Quite why Liverpool struggle to see out two-goal advantages only Slot and his players will know but the dying embers here looked for all the world like it was about to happen for a fifth time this term across all competitions. The Reds’ ability to shoot themselves in the foot is unmatched in that regard.
“A masterclass in how not to manage the final 10 minutes,” remarked former captain Jamie Redknapp. This time, though, they held on by the skin of their teeth. Rarely has an important win like this felt like such scant progress.
Yet another first half devoid of any real goal-mouth activity from Slot's men saw its big talking point arrive shortly after the half-hour mark when Xavi Simons was sent off by referee John Brooks for an ugly rake down the Achilles of Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk.
Simons could have little argument after a VAR check, it was a late one that didn't need making and while his Netherlands international colleague Van Dijk attempted to make light of the challenge, a check with the monitor deemed it to be serious foul play.
The Reds were unable to make their numerical advantage count for the remainder of the half, however, with the system suddenly looking an attacker light and a midfielder or two heavy. Too often Hugo Ekitike was left without support, particularly from Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz, who were tucking into narrow positions in possession to congest the middle of the park.
Such a tactic requires the full-backs to stretch the pitch and neither Conor Bradley, off injured at half time, nor Milos Kerkez overly troubled Thomas Frank's backline during a first 45 minutes that saw the champions find it difficult to create. That goal after 46 seconds against Brighton remains their only first-half goal since November 1, when Mohamed Salah was gift-wrapped a tap-in in stoppage time against Aston Villa.
In an effort to give his team more attacking impetus, Slot sent on the costliest footballer in British history in Alexander Isak and if there was any fear as to how Liverpool are going to cope without an AFCON-bound Salah, the Reds, briefly at least, were able to field their most expensive frontline of all time in response to that predicament.
And while £125m Isak, £116m Wirtz and £79m Ekitike's time in the front three was short lived, it was enough to do the damage in spades when a clumsy clearance from Romero struck Alexis Mac Allister 10 minutes after the restart.
From there, Ekitike, Wirtz and Isak were all involved in a ruthless transition that saw the latter finish with aplomb with his final touch of the game. The Sweden international, who has now registered three for his new club, was caught by Micky van de Ven as he fired home and was forced off for a returning Jeremie Frimpong as a result.
In so many ways it is rotten luck on Isak, who, having dispatched so confidently, was immediately withdrawn as he hobbled off with the aid of the physios. He now faces an anxious wait on a fresh injury concern at a time when he should be using the confidence boost of the goal to carry him forward after a difficult few months at Anfield. Slot was unable to offer much of a post-match diagnosis.
Such was the peculiar nature of Isak's evening that he became just the second Reds player to be subbed on, score and be subbed off in the same game. He shares that unusual slice of history with Yossi Benayoun.
The award Isak picked up in his homeland this week that saw him crowned Sweden's 2025 player of the year was a reminder of his qualities as much as his short-and-sweet cameo was here. Present him with these sorts of opportunities more often and he will begin to pay back that astronomical transfer fee. A waiting game now ensues, though.
In Isak's absence, it was Ekitike who stepped up once more, scoring his fifth goal in three games with a header from Frimpong's deflected cross and it's been a superb fortnight or so for the France international, who is now on 11 for the campaign at Anfield.
But like Leeds United, two weeks ago, Liverpool decided that easing to an important away-day victory was too straightforward for their fans. Richarlison's goal instead set up a grandstand finale and even when the hosts were reduced to nine men, this time for Romero's foolish kick out on Ibrahima Konate, the Reds struggled to see it out without an almighty battle.
The sight of the nine men of Spurs pushing for an equaliser as the game entered its 100th minute would have been bewildering for Slot, who, despite the win, is now also sweating on the fitness of Wirtz, who pulled up making a late sprint. The hope is that this particular issue is cramp but he was promptly withdrawn for Trey Nyoni as all hands were placed on deck for the last knockings.
But after such a difficult period, perhaps it would be harsh to reflect too critically on what, ultimately, was three points on a day when Chelsea dropped two of their own at Newcastle United.
Now in fifth, the top four looks closer than it has for a number of weeks and five without defeat in the Premier League is setting up for Slot's side for a strong finish to 2025. Rock bottom Wolves have to be swept aside now after Christmas at Anfield. No ifs or buts for Slot, regardless of how his walking wounded shape up in the coming days.
