The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium played host to a drab first-half before Liverpool came to life in the second 45. Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike scored within ten minutes of one another as Arne Slot’s reigning champions walked away with three points after a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Thomas Frank’s men started well, enjoying their share of possession while pushing and prodding at Liverpool’s back line. The Reds themselves, too, enjoyed a chance to grab the opener within the first half hour or so – but neither team could find a breakthrough.
After a first half devoid of any real quality from either side, you could bet that Spurs would’ve been the happier of two sides before Xavi Simons received a red card for his rash, studs-up challenge on the back of Virgil van Dijk’s leg.
Isak, after entering the fray at half-time, produced what we saw from him during his time at Newcastle United: an instinctive finish inside the box. Scoring his seventh goal against Spurs (more than any other side in the Premier League), he was found by Florian Wirtz before slotting home.
Liverpool’s summer addition Ekitike then rose the highest in the Spurs box, above the towering figure of Cristian Romero, to head home Liverpool’s second of the affair, putting his side firmly in the driving seat.
Chaos in the Liverpool penalty box, however, allowed Richarlison the space to convert from point-blank range. Van Dijk’s swing-and-a-miss at the ball was poor, and the Brazilian swept his effort home with ease. He then missed a brilliant chance to draw level minutes later, but he fluffed his lines.
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool – Match Statistics
Tottenham Hotspur
Statistic
Liverpool
35%
Possession
65%
15
Shots
8
5
Shots on Target
4
2
Saves
4
2
Corners
6
2
Yellow Cards
3