Liverpool striker Alexander Isak came off the bench to score the opener in his side’s chaotic 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League but suffered a potentially serious injury in the process.
Isak was introduced at half-time after a turgid opening period in which Tottenham’s Xavi Simons was shown a straight red card and he slotted his side ahead in the 56th minute before hobbling off after Micky van de Ven fell on him.
Hugo Ekitike doubled Liverpool’s lead with a header in the 66th minute but Liverpool switched off and Tottenham substitute Richarlison fired home after a scramble in the area in the 83rd minute.
It set up a nervous finale for Liverpool and they had to endure nine added minutes as Tottenham sensed they could prevent a club record 11th calendar year league defeat. Tottenham ended with nine men after captain Cristian Romero was sent off for a second yellow card after petulantly kicking out at Ibrahima Konate.
Follow all the reaction from a chaotic game in north London.
Read MoreAlexander Isak suffers heartbreaking injury in process of scoring Liverpool opener at Spurs
Liverpool, Alexander Isak and a six-second glimpse of their £300m future cut short
Thomas Frank fumes at VAR’s ‘biggest mistake’ during Tottenham’s defeat to Liverpool
Tottenham vs Liverpool live | Latest Premier League updates
- Liverpool hold on for chaotic 2-1 win over nine-man Tottenham in the Premier League
- Alexander Isak suffers heartbreaking injury in process of scoring Liverpool opener at Spurs
- 90+3' - RED CARD! Romero sent off for second yellow after kicking out to reduce Spurs to nine men (TOT 1-2 LIV)
- 83' - GOAL! Richarlison sweeps home to give Spurs hope (TOT 1-2 LIV)
- 67' - GOAL! Superb Ekitike header doubles Liverpool lead (TOT 0-2 LIV)
- 59' - INJURY! Isak injured in the act of scoring and hobbles off in some pain (TOT 0-1 LIV)
- 57' - GOAL! Isak finishes smartly after good work from Ekitike and Wirtz (TOT 0-1 LIV)
- 32' - RED CARD! Simons sent off for raking his studs down the back of Van Dijk's calf (TOT 0-0 LIV)
- Gary Neville chastises Xavi Simons for ‘ridiculous’ red card against Liverpool
Thomas Frank fumes at VAR’s ‘biggest mistake’ during Tottenham’s defeat to Liverpool
21:06 , Jamie BraidwoodThomas Frank was furious that Hugo Ekitike was not penalised for pushing Tottenham captain Cristian Romero as the striker doubled Liverpool’s lead in a chaotic 2-1 defeat to the Premier League champions.
Spurs finished down to nine players after two red cards - with Xavi Simons and Romero sent off - but Frank pointed to Ekitike’s goal in the 66th minute as the “biggest mistake” the officials made during the clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Liverpool celebrate as Tottenham dejected
20:25 , Luke BakerA real contrast of emotions for the teams today after the end result of that chaos.
Arne Slot offers update on Alexander Isak
20:14 , Luke BakerThere’s an update, of sorts, from Arne Slot on Alexander Isak after that injury. Although truthfully, he’s got little of note to add.
Slot was asked about Isak’s condition in his post-match press conference.
“I don’t have any news on him,” said Slot. “If a player scores and then doesn’t come back on the pitch because he couldn’t go on – because he didn’t even try and get on – that’s usually not a good thing.
“But I can’t say anything more than that – nothing medical. But let’s not be too negative yet. Let’s hope he’s back with us soon.”
Hugo Ekitike admits 'it wasn't our best game'
20:05 , Luke BakerHugo Ekitike grabbed his fifth goal in his last three Premier League games today and was delighted to keep his run going – and get the three points.
Speaking to BBC, Ekitike said: “It wasn’t our best game, a difficult game, but we had the control. It was difficult in the last part of the second half because they pushed and they scored. We kept the result and we go back to Liverpool with the win, that is the most important thing.
“It is never easier [to play against 10 men]. They play at home, the fans push them and they have more energy, more than at the start. That makes it more difficult, so you have to play smart and to fight for every ball.
“The best feeling as a striker. You need goals. The most important is the win and to play with confidence, and obviously if I can help with goals. The first goal I helped with the pass before the assist, so I try to help the team the best as I can and that's the most important.”
On outmuscling Cristian Romero, who wanted a foul, for his goal: “It’s part for the game. He is a defender, I'm a striker. I judged the cross better than he did and I took the ball. That is why I scored. That is his opinion, my opinion is that it was a great cross, a lucky header, but I did the right thing.”
Jamie Redknapp: 'It was so chaotic'
19:55 , Luke BakerSky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp barely knew where to begin when asked to discuss that game.
“It was so chaotic,” said Redknapp, before lambasting Cristian Romero for his needless sending off
Liverpool, Alexander Isak and a six-second glimpse of their £300 future
19:51 , Luke BakerIn a flash, the pieces finally clicked together.
It took less than six seconds for Liverpool’s £300m trio to rip through Tottenham’s 10 men after Cristian Romero’s careless pass from defence.
Hugo Ekitike looked up and picked out Florian Wirtz, suddenly free in the space he has spent so much time trying to find. Wirtz took a touch and sensed the run immediately, producing the pass. And there was Alexander Isak, supplying the movement and the first-time finish, as well as the ruthlessness Liverpool wanted when they smashed their transfer record to sign him.
And then, like a window that closed as quickly as it had opened, a vision of Liverpool’s future disappeared. On as a half-time substitute, Isak limped off 10 minutes later with an ankle injury that could sideline him for the foreseeable future.
Read Jamie Braidwood’s full report on a chaotic day at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:
Liverpool, Alexander Isak and a six-second glimpse of their £300m future
Alexander Isak suffers heartbreaking injury in process of scoring Liverpool opener at Spurs
19:44 , Luke BakerThe biggest news of that chaotic clash has to be Alexander Isak’s injury and Liverpool now face an anxious wait.
On 56 minutes, Cristian Romero gave the ball away with a sloppy pass before the ball was slipped to Florian Wirtz in space, who guided it into the Swedish striker to finish with aplomb.
However, the moment was tinged with sourness as Isak writhed in pain as the ball hit the net. He had been clattered by a last-ditch challenge from Tottenham centre-back Micky van de Ven, who failed to put a block in but instead scissored Isak to the ground.
Isak was unable to get to his feet and celebrate as he was surrounded by teammates before eventually hobbling off the pitch on his two feet, albeit with the help of two club doctors.
Isak suffers heartbreaking injury in process of netting Liverpool opener at Spurs
FULL-TIME! Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool
19:34 , Luke BakerWow! Wow, wow, wow. That was a ludicrous second half - so much going on, so chaotic.
BUT Liverpool cling on and win 2-1 against nine-man Tottenham. It wasn’t pretty and there’s plenty to dissect but they’ve got three points!
Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool, 90+10 mins
19:32 , Luke BakerOdobert fires a ball across goal and Alisson dives out, manging to get a hand on it to push clear! Final seconds...
Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool, 90+9 mins
19:32 , Luke BakerLiverpool still clinging on and they bring on Robertson and Nyoni for Wirtz and Ekitike.
Can Spurs nick something right at the death as they launch the ball forward?
Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool, 90+7 mins
19:29 , Luke BakerA long-range shot comes in from Spurs, it takes a deflection but loops to Alisson, who gratefully clutches the ball. But Liverpool do not look solid at the back!
They then break away, Jones tries to slow things down and waste time but loses the ball in the middle of the field. Mac Allister lunges in trying to win it back and is yellow carded for the foul.
Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool, 90+5 mins
19:27 , Luke BakerWow, this second half has been mad. The free-kick comes to nothing and now Bentancur is booked as well.
There’s still four minutes for Spurs to snatch an equaliser and Liverpool look nervy but the they’re down to nine men
RED CARD! Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool (Cristian Romero, 90+3 mins)
19:26 , Luke BakerOH MY WORD! Spurs have lost their heads here and Cristian Romero is sent off for a second yellow card, reducing Tottenham to NINE men!
He wins a free-kick, 35 yards out and central, but is annoyed at being fouled and kicks out at Konate while he’s on the ground, catching the Liverpool man in the chest.
It’s idiotic and right in front of the referee, who gives him a second yellow card, so he’s off. Ludicrously ill-disciplined.
Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool, 90+1 mins
19:24 , Luke BakerWe’re into nine minutes of injury time now.
Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool, 90 mins
19:23 , Luke BakerFrimpong is getting wound up here, and winding the crowd up, and now he goes down with a bloody lip after a collision.
He’s promptly subbed off by Arne Slot, as much to ensure he doesn’t do something silly and get himself sent off, as the lip injury, I think.
On comes Federico Chiesa. Frimpong only came on for Isak on 60 minutes, who only came on for Bradley 15 minutes prior!
Alexander Isak suffers heartbreaking injury in process of scoring Liverpool opener at Spurs
19:21 , Luke BakerLiverpool will be sweating over the fitness of Alexander Isak after he suffered a heartbreaking injury in the process of what could have been a lift-off moment in his Reds career.
On 56 minutes, Cristian Romero gave the ball away with a sloppy pass before the ball was slipped to Florian Wirtz in space, who guided it into the Swedish striker to finish with aplomb.
However, the moment was tinged with sourness as Isak writhed in pain as the ball hit the net. He had been clattered by a last-ditch challenge from Tottenham centre-back Micky van de Ven, who failed to put a block in but instead scissored Isak to the ground.
Isak was unable to get to his feet and celebrate as he was surrounded by teammates before eventually hobbling off the pitch on his two feet, albeit with the help of two club doctors.
Isak suffers heartbreaking injury in process of netting Liverpool opener at Spurs
Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool, 87 mins
19:19 , Luke BakerNot the best delivery from the corner for once from Porro and the first defender heads clear.
Are Liverpool wilting once again, though?
CHANCE! Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool, 86 mins
19:18 , Luke BakerSpurs are pouring forward now! Richarlison wins the ball in midfield, it bounces loose and is then played through to him as he sprints through the Liverpool defence.
He shoots when he gets tot he edge of the box but Konate has got back and lunged across to block it out for a corner
GOAL! Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool (Richarlison, 83 mins)
19:15 , Luke BakerWOW! Tottenham are somehow back in this and it’s Richarlison who makes the difference!
The corner causes havoc in the Liverpool box as it bounces around. There’s half an appeal for a penalty, then Van Dijk swings at a clearance but misses completely and Richarlison is able to sweep the ball into the bottom corner from eight yards out.
Game. On.
Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool, 82 mins
19:14 , Luke BakerRicharlison immediately wins Spurs a free-kick about 35 yards out, to the left. Good ball in, it loops up in the air and Van Dijk does well to power a header away, which goes behind for a corner.
Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool, 80 mins
19:12 , Luke BakerLiverpool just taking the sting out of this game and Tottenham don’t look like they have loads of ideas about how to get back in this.
Richarlison is thrown on for the final 10 minutes by Thomas Frank but is it too little too late?
Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool, 75 mins
19:08 , Luke BakerLiverpool win a corner and Szoboszlai curls it into the box but it’s well defended by Spurs.
Konate then shown a yellow card near halfway for a clumsy foul
WATCH: Isak and Ekitike put Liverpool in control
19:07 , Luke BakerHere are the two goals in this second half. Alexander Isak and then Hugo Ekitike both finishing really impressively. Of course, it came at great cost for Isak.
Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool, 70 mins
19:03 , Luke BakerRomero was booked for his protestations after that second goal. He claims he was fouled by Ekitike. He wasn’t...
A fifth goal in his last three Premier League games for Ekitike. If Isak is injured, he’ll have to step up even more now.
A couple of Spurs subs as Wilson Odobert and Joao Palhinha come on for Bergvall and Gray as Thomas Frank’s side look for a way back in it
Alexander Isak scores and then injured
19:01 , Luke BakerElation and then immediate devastation for Alexander Isak as he scores before being carted off injured
GOAL! Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool (Hugo Ekitike, 67 mins)
18:59 , Luke BakerLiverpool in complete control now! It’s superb by Hugo Ekitike.
A cross is stood up from the right and Ekitike overpowers Romero to jump and arc a header into the far corner. Old-fashioned No 9 play and he was simply too strong!
Spurs in all sorts of trouble now
CROSSBAR! Tottenham 0-1 Liverpool, 64 mins
18:58 , Luke BakerTottenham so nearly level! Kolo Muani shakes off his marker and bursts through the middle of the Liverpool defence.
He’s on the right of the box and hits a shot goalwards that loops up off a sliding Kerkez, floating over a helpless Alisson but bounces off the bar and the Reds can boot clear. Let-off!
Tottenham 0-1 Liverpool, 61 mins
18:52 , Luke BakerSo Isak lasted about 15 minutes, and scored the goal, before going off injured. Jeremie Frimpong on for the luckless Swede.
Substitution for Spurs as well, Brennan Johnson on for Kudus.
Tottenham 0-1 Liverpool, 59 mins
18:51 , Luke BakerIsak looks in serious pain here. Van de Ven slides to try and block his shot and it looks like he lands on Isak’s lower leg, potentially buckling his knee.
The stretcher comes on, although Isak does get helped off the pitch by two physios rather than on the stretcher. He looks in real pain though and is moving very gingerly.
That would be a real blow to Liverpool if it’s a serious injury.
GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 Liverpool (Alexander Isak, 57 mins)
18:49 , Luke BakerAND THERE’S THE BREAKTHROUGH. Long ball forward and Ekitike does well to play a square ball to Wirtz.
The German slides a lovely reverse pass into Alexander Isak and the Swede fires past Vicario first time. Lovely team goal!
Isak has stayed down after scoring though as Van de Ven flew into him trying to get the block. But Liverpool lead!
GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 Liverpool
18:49 , Jamie BraidwoodJamie Braidwood at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
How much was that goal worth for Liverpool? Ekitike + Wirtz + Isak = more than £300m.
But the celebrations are immediately cut short by Isak staying down. You could not write this. Liverpool’s record signing appears to have injured his knee and the stretcher has been called.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 56 mins
18:48 , Luke BakerLiverpool aren’t happy as Bentancur thumps the ball clear and follows through with his leg, so that his studs scrape on Isak’s knee. It’s deemed to be unavoidable contact though, so the Uruguayan gets away with leaving one in on the Swede.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 54 mins
18:46 , Luke BakerLiverpool get into the final third but then meet a white wall of Spurs defenders. They probe but no way through at the moment.
Wirtz does win a corner however, which eventually gets to Jones on the edge of the box but the white swarm close him down.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 50 mins
18:43 , Luke BakerThe Spurs fans are getting increasingly mutinous here, showing their frustration every time their side play a backwards pass.
They weren’t particularly ambitious in attack in the first half and the crowd want more urgency.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 47 mins
18:42 , Luke BakerConnor Bradley wasn’t able to continue after that knock he took late in the first half, so Alexander Isak comes on in his place.
Arne Slot going more attacking to try and break Spurs down - Isak will partner Hugo Ekitike up top
Gary Neville chastises Xavi Simons for ‘ridiculous’ red card against Liverpool
18:39 , Luke BakerGary Neville laid into Xavi Simons after a “ridiculous challenge” on Virgil van Dijk saw the Tottenham midfielder sent off in the first half of Spurs’ Premier League clash with Liverpool.
Simons was chasing down Van Dijk before lunging ambitiously towards the Liverpool captain, raking his studs down his Dutch compatriot’s calf while getting nowhere near the ball.
The 22-year-old was initially shown a yellow card by referee John Brooks before VAR intervened, advising him to the pitch-side monitor to review his decision.
The caution was subsequently upgraded to a straight red card as Simons was given his marching orders just after the half-hour mark, something co-commentator Neville thought was completely warranted.
Neville chastises Simons for ‘ridiculous’ red card against Liverpool
KICK-OFF! Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
18:38 , Luke BakerBack underway in north London
HALF-TIME! Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
18:21 , Luke BakerAnd that’s half-time. The major incident in that first half was the Xavi Simons red card for a nasty tackle on Virgil van Dijk. Studs high, raked down the back of the leg.
Liverpool haven’t made their man advantage pay yet but will they be able to after the break?
HALF TIME! Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
18:21 , Jamie BraidwoodJamie Braidwood at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Tottenham have only four home league wins in 2025 and their chances of making that five have been hit by that Xavi Simons red card.
But a team and fanbase that have often been disconnected here are instead united by the anger at being down to 10 men against Liverpool.
Boos greet the half-time whistle, but not for Spurs! There’s a change.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 45+3 mins
18:19 , Luke BakerBradley hobbles off the pitch but he’ll be able to come back on and continue for the final moments of this first half at least.
This has been a fairly nondescript first half, red card aside. Cagey stuff, so we’ll see what the second half brings providing there’s no late drama in the final knockings here
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 45 mins
18:18 , Luke BakerA penalty appeal for Spurs as Spence hares away down the left and cuts into the box. He gets tangled with Bradley and goes down but there’s nothing doing. Spence was going to lose the ball and throws himself to the ground.
Waves away and the VAR check confirms the decision. Bradley may have injured himself slightly in the tangle.
WATCH: Xavi Simons shown red card for Tottenham
18:16 , Luke BakerHere’s that Xavi Simons red card. It’s really not a clever tackle on his Netherlands team-mate Van Dijk
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 40 mins
18:12 , Luke BakerLiverpool win a corner and Szoboszlai whips it in dangerously but Vicario does well to get a fist on it and punch away.
Spurs then counter at pace and Porro hammers a low cross across the box that Spence can’t quite connect with at the back post.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 38 mins
18:11 , Luke BakerAlmost a defensive mix-up for Liverpool as Alisson rushes out of his area and just gets to the ball first to clear.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 35 mins
18:06 , Luke BakerThe Spurs fans in the ground are livid but replays show that’s a nasty one and Gary Neville on co-comms has absolutely torn Xavi Simons apart. It was silly from Simons.
RED CARD!
18:05 , Jamie BraidwoodJamie Braidwood at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Ouch. Disaster for Tottenham. They had been the better team up until Xavi Simons’s challenge - which I cannot believe is a red card.
Thomas Frank is furious and there are howls of anger in the stadium as the incident is shown on the big screen and as Simons slowly makes his way off the pitch.
RED CARD! Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool (Xavi Simons, 32 mins_
18:04 , Luke BakerThe referee announces it’s an act of serious foul play and Xavi Simons is shown A RED CARD!
It’s a really nasty one - Simons nowhere near the ball, studs high, rake down the back of the leg and Spurs will play the rest of this match with 10 men
VAR CHECK! Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 30 mins
18:02 , Luke BakerEven with Kolo Muani squandering that chance, Spurs are still enjoying their best spell of the game.
Now we have our first yellow card as Xavi Simons lunges at Van Dijk and rakes his studs down the back of the Liverpool captain’s calf. That’s really not pretty,
Luckily Van Dijk survives it with no harm although VAR does check whether this should be upgraded to a red card...
There’s an on-field review! Uh oh, this could be bad for Simons...
MISS! Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 28 mins
17:59 , Luke BakerKudus ambitiously takes aim from 30+ yards out but Konate blocks it. Spurs work the ball around though and Porro lofts a deep cross in from the right.
Spence leaps to nod the ball back across the box and Kolo Muani finds himself with space on the six-yard box but it’s a frankly pathetically weak header that bounces once and lands in Alisson’s grateful arms.
Oh, Kolo Muani has to do better there - he seemed to lack commitment. Should have been really thrusting his head at that to generate the power.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 24 mins
17:55 , Luke BakerBradley dispossessed by Porro and Bergvall tries to launch a Spurs counter, only for the attack to soon peter out. As Jamie says, that’s been a bit of a theme and the crowd are beginning to get frustrated.
Not that Liverpool are having much more success, as misplaced passes see their attempted attacks flounder.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 24 mins
17:55 , Luke BakerBradley dispossessed by Porro and Bergvall tries to launch a Spurs counter, only for the attack to soon peter out. As Jamie says, that’s been a bit of a theme and the crowd are beginning to get frustrated.
Not that Liverpool are having much more success, as misplaced passes see their attempted attacks flounder.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 22 mins
17:52 , Jamie BraidwoodJamie Braidwood at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
There’s a growing sense of frustration among the home fans, at some of the decisions that have gone against Spurs here, but also a couple of moments where Frank’s team have been in a promising position only to go backwards or out of play. It happened when Kudus appeared to be leading a 3-on-2, only for the ball to end up back at Romero. It sucked the lift out of the stadium.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 20 mins
17:51 , Luke BakerSpurs have been caught out playing out from the back in recent weeks but are happy to continue that tactic. No damage so far here.
They counter at pace and Spence tussles with Bradley in the box, with the Liverpool right-back awarded a foul. Spence is furious and appears to hurl the ball away in disgust but no punishment for the England international.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 16 mins
17:47 , Luke BakerKudus with a neat reverse pass to Porro on the overlap who fires the ball into the near post, where Kolo Muani nips in front of a defender but can’t get his header on target – harmlessly wide, in the wrong direction.
Promising from Spurs though.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 13 mins
17:44 , Luke BakerMac Allister is clattered near the touchline, so Liverpool can whip a free-kick in from the left. It’s a good ball in!
Van Dijk gets in front of Van de Ven and gets his head on it but can’t get the power/direction required, so it’s held easily enough by Vicario.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 10 mins
17:40 , Luke BakerA Konate ball over the top sees Romero and Ekitike tangle in the box.
Romero thinks he’s won a free-kick but there’s no referee’s whistle, so the Argentine has to quickly pop up and nick the ball away from the Liverpool forward to stop him getting a shot off.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 8 mins
17:39 , Luke BakerThis has largely been scrappy stuff so far in the early going. Spurs have maybe had the better of it but few moments of quality yet
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 5 mins
17:37 , Luke BakerMoment of danger for Liverpool as Kudus whips a ball in from the right, it bounces off Bradley to Kolo Muani and he can shoot on the turn form about 12 yards.
To his credit, Bradley recovers well and throws a leg out to block the shot. That’s a big intervention from the Northern Irishman.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool, 3 mins
17:35 , Luke BakerNeat little backheel flick inside from Kolo Muani as he drifts out to the left channel for Spurs. The Frenchman does like to slide to that left flank looking for work.
Spence pinches the ball off Ekitike just outside the Spurs box and the Liverpool man chases him back towards halfway. Spence accidentally throws out a hand as he runs and catches Ekitike on the nose, with the France star going down and receiving treatment. I think he’ll be fine...
KICK-OFF! Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
17:31 , Luke BakerUnderway at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This could be a fun one
Spurs v Liverpool teams
17:29 , Luke BakerKick-off is imminent in north London. Here’s a quick reminder of the teams.
Dominik Szoboszlai has recovered from his ankle issue to start for Liverpool
Tottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, Spence; Bentancur, Gray; Kudus, Bergvall, Simons; Kolo Muani
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Ekitike
Hugo Ekitike's super start
17:27 , Luke BakerOne of the main reasons Isak can’t break into the Liverpool team at the moment is the form of Ekitike.
Only one player has scored more goals in their first 10 Premier League starts for Liverpool than him. That man is Daniel Sturridge.
Conveniently, Sturridge is on punditry duty for Sky Sports today and was in the studio to gloat about the fact.
Alexander Isak on the bench again
17:23 , Luke BakerIt’s still not really happening for Alexander Isak at Liverpool - he’s once again on the bench with the in-form Hugo Ekitike preferred up top.
Can the Swede come on and influence the game today?
Tottenham's attacking troubles
17:20 , Jamie BraidwoodSpurs created just 0.3 xG in their 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend, which was only their fourth-lowest of the season so far under Thomas Frank.
They had 0.1 xG in defeats to Arsenal and Chelsea and had 0.2 xG in a 1-0 loss at Bournemouth.
Liverpool have offered opposition teams chances at times this season - will Tottenham be able to take advantage?
Thomas Frank's record against Liverpool
17:15 , Jamie BraidwoodThis will be Thomas Frank’s ninth meeting with Liverpool, and his first since taking charge of Tottenham.
Having won won, drawn from and lost one of his first three matches against Liverpool while in charge of Brentford, Frank has lost his last five against the Reds.
Liverpool's Jekyll and Hyde defence
17:05 , Jamie BraidwoodAccording to Opta, across their last 17 Premier League games away from home, Liverpool have either kept a clean sheet (6) or conceded 2+ goals (11) in every single one. Let’s look at their record this season...
3-3 draw at Leeds
2-0 win at West
0-3 defeat at Man City
2-3 defeat at Brentford
1-2 defeat at Chelsea
1-2 defeat at Crystal Palace
1-0 win at Burnley
3-2 win at Newcastle
Tottenham v Liverpool: Goals, goals, goals?
16:50 , Jamie BraidwoodLiverpool v Tottenham Hotspur is the top scoring fixture in Premier League history, with an astonishing 21 in the last three league matches between the teams.
Liverpool won both last season, a 6-3 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last December before the 5-1 win at Anfield that sealed the Premier League title. Before then, there was also a 4-2 win for Liverpool at Anfield.
Arne Slot: Liverpool do not have ‘unlimited money’ to fix squad issues
16:35 , Richard JollyArne Slot has insisted that Liverpool do not have “unlimited money” after spending a record £450m in the transfer market in the summer.
Liverpool broke their transfer record twice to sign Florian Wirtz for £100m and then Alexander Isak for a British record £125m.
But while Slot has still found himself short of defenders this season, with centre-back Giovanni Leoni out for the whole campaign and moments when he was deprived of both senior right-backs, in Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong, he said they do not have bottomless piles of cash to buy again now.
Arne Slot: Liverpool do not have ‘unlimited money’ to fix squad issues
Tottenham v Liverpool team news
16:33 , Luke BakerSo Dominik Szoboszlai is fit to start for Liverpool and may well be lining up on the right again with Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz also pushing forward.
Arne Slot resists the temptation to start Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak together, with the Swede again on the bench, while Connor Bradley and Milos Kerkez are the full-backs.
For Tottenham, Randal Kolo Muani leads the line with Lucas Bergvall and Xavi Simons seemingly both in very advanced positions, alongside Mohammed Kudus. Djed Spence will start at left back
Tottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, Spence; Bentancur, Gray; Kudus, Bergvall, Simons; Kolo Muani
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Ekitike
Tottenham v Liverpool team news
16:22 , Luke BakerAnd here are tonight’s teams - the big news is that Dominik Szoboszlai is deemed fit to start for Liverpool
The Reds to take on Tottenham ✊🔴 #TOTLIV
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 20, 2025
How we line up to face Liverpool ✊
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 20, 2025
🔢 @krakenfx pic.twitter.com/54KPKJ8kZk
Tottenham v Liverpool team news and line-ups
16:13 , Jamie Braidwood... will be confirmed in the next few minutes from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Thomas Frank on turning Tottenham around
14:45 , Jamie BraidwoodThomas Frank is steadfast in his belief that he can fix Tottenham if given time and has no doubts about the buy-in of his current squad.
Asked if buy-in had been difficult, Frank replied: "No, I think it has been a good buy-in. You could say that from the beginning of the season we started quite well without being sensational.
"I thought we were very good in some games and good in other games. And then, like in every season, you have some setbacks and spells where it is maybe not going the right way.
“But I don't see anything that they are not with me or going in the same direction."
Good afternoon
14:30 , Jamie BraidwoodLiverpool face a test of their recent resurgence as they visit a Tottenham side desperate for a result in the Premier League to ease the pressure on Thomas Frank.
Spurs were beaten 3-0 by Nottingham Forest last weekend, in what was a potentially damaging blow after back-to-back wins over Brentford and Slavia Prague.
Liverpool defeated Brighton 2-0 last Saturday in Mohamed Salah’s last game before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations, with Arne Slot’s side showing signs of steadying the ship.
After a dismal run of results, Liverpool have won back-to-back games and are unbeaten in five matches - while Hugo Ekitike has come into form with four goals in his last two league appearances.
