Liverpool edged a tense 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, surviving a late scare against nine players. Goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike decided the match, while Richarlison struck for Spurs, who finished with two red cards after losing control of their discipline.
The contest turned Liverpool’s way shortly after the half-hour when Spurs dropped to ten players. Xavi Simons was dismissed for a reckless lunge on Virgil van Dijk, leaving Thomas Frank’s team to chase the game for over an hour with a numerical disadvantage at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham’s problems deepened in stoppage time when Cristian Romero received a second red card for the club in the same match. Romero kicked out at Ibrahima Konate off the ball
and was sent off, compounding earlier frustration and echoing Spurs’ previous dismissal-heavy meeting with Chelsea in November 2023.
That earlier incident against Chelsea was the only other time Spurs collected two red cards in a home Premier League fixture. On that occasion, both Destiny Udogie and Romero were dismissed. Frank again saw a match shaped by ill-discipline, with two experienced players leaving Spurs short-handed at crucial moments.
Liverpool finally exploited the extra player advantage in the 56th minute. Half-time substitute Isak capitalised on a mistake from Romero, finishing calmly to break the deadlock. However, Isak was injured during the move after a heavy collision with Micky van de Ven and was unable to continue.
Isak’s brief impact created a small piece of club history. The forward became only the second Liverpool player in a Premier League match to come on as a substitute, score, and then be substituted again. Yossi Benayoun previously did so against Manchester City in November 2009.
Despite losing Isak, Liverpool pressed on and extended the lead. After Randal Kolo Muani struck the crossbar at the other end, Ekitike made it 2-0 with a powerful header. That goal appeared to place Liverpool in full control against a tiring Spurs side already reduced to ten players.
Liverpool vs Tottenham Premier League fightback and Richarlison impact
Spurs still threatened a comeback, especially after Richarlison entered from the bench. The former Everton forward scored a little over two minutes after coming on, pulling the score back to 2-1 and lifting the home crowd. Frank’s side gained late momentum, despite the numerical deficit and earlier setbacks.
Richarlison’s display highlighted questions over team selection. During the time on the pitch, Richarlison recorded as many touches in Liverpool’s box as three Spurs starters combined. Only Kolo Muani, with five touches, managed more in the opposition area, underlining the substitute’s influence in limited minutes.
Liverpool vs Tottenham Premier League stats and 2025 record
Spurs ended 2025 with an unwanted statistic, recording 11 home league defeats in a single calendar year, their highest total in club history. Frank faces increased scrutiny, although the coach could point to costly decisions from experienced players that undermined a competitive overall performance.
Despite playing with fewer players for most of the match, Spurs actually created more attacking threat than Liverpool. The hosts produced 15 shots compared with Liverpool’s eight and finished with a higher expected goals figure, 1.01 to 0.6, suggesting Liverpool needed efficiency rather than dominance to secure the points.
| Team | Shots | xG | Red cards | Home league defeats in 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tottenham Hotspur | 15 | 1.01 | 2 | 11 |
| Liverpool | 8 | 0.6 | 0 | Not applicable |
The dismissal of Simons also carried a statistical footnote. It was the first time since April 2001 that a Dutch player received a Premier League red card for fouling a compatriot. The previous incident came when Spurs’ Willem Korsten was sent off for a challenge on Chelsea’s Mario Melchiot.
2001 - Xavi Simons red card is the first time a Dutch player has been sent off for a foul on a compatriot (Virgil van Dijk) in the Premier League since April 2001, when Spurs' Willem Korsten was red carded after fouling Chelsea's Mario Melchiot. Double. #TOTLIV pic.twitter.com/N3X9MevpYWOptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 20, 2025
Liverpool left north London with three points and a tight victory, while Spurs closed a difficult home year. Frank’s team showed attacking intent despite playing short-handed, yet red cards for Simons and Romero, plus missed opportunities, ensured Liverpool’s clinical finishing was enough to decide this Premier League meeting.
