Liverpool survived a chaotic finale in north London to beat nine-man Tottenham 2-1, with second-half goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike just enough to withstand a late strike from Richarlison and red cards for Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero.
What for long spells looked like a routine evening for the visitors turned into a fraught contest. A first-half dismissal for Simons put Tottenham on the back foot before Isak and Ekitike exploited the extra space after the break. Yet Liverpool’s inability to close out games allowed Spurs back into the contest, and only Ibrahima Konate’s block, Alisson’s final save and the intervention of referee John Brooks preserved a win that lifts Liverpool into fifth and leaves Tottenham mired in 13th with an unwanted home record.
Simons' dismissal hands Liverpool early control
The contest was finely poised in the first half until a reckless moment from Tottenham midfielder Xavi Simons changed its complexion. With Virgil van Dijk in possession, Simons went in high and late, planting his studs into the defender’s calf and earning a straight red card that left Spurs to play the majority of the match with ten men.