Liverpool survives late scare against nine-man Tottenham

Liverpool defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday evening.

The host got the first chance of the game as Connor Bradley failed to head away a cross which fell kindly to Kolo Muani, but Bradley redeemed himself and blocked the Frenchman’s effort.

At the other end, the Reds appealed for a penalty after Cristian Romero brought down Hugo Ekitike in the area, but referee John Brooks waved away the appeals.

Just before the 15th minute mark, Dominik Szoboszlai clipped in a free-kick which was met by Virgil van Dijk, but the Liverpool captain’s header was straight at Guglielmo Vicario.

Moments later, Mohammed Kudus found Pedro Porro on the overlap, and the right-back clipped in a cross for Kolo Muani, but his header went wide.

In the 27th minute, Kolo Muani could’ve given the host the lead after he was found by Djed Spence, but the Frenchman’s header was comfortably collected by Alisson.

At the other end, Florian Wirtz saw his low curling effort parried away by Vicario to keep the score at bay.

Just past the half-hour mark, Xavi Simons was sent off for catching Van Dijk’s calf from the back, and the hosts were reduced to ten men.

The Lilywhites could’ve gotten the opener a few minutes before the break after Kudus found Porro with a long ball on a counter, but the Spaniard’s cross evaded all the white shirts in the area.

In the 56th minute, Alexander Isak broke the deadlock after Ekitike and Wirtz teed up to set up the Swede, who finished past Vicario, injuring himself in the process.

Moments later, Kolo Muani could’ve drawn the host level, but his deflected shot hit the bar and bounced back into play, preserving the Reds’ lead.

Two minutes later, Ekitike doubled the visitors’ advantage when he nodded in Jeremie Frimpong’s deflected cross to net his fifth goal in his last three games.

In the 83rd minute, Richarlison reduced the deficit after Liverpool failed to clear their lines and the Brazilian picked out the bottom corner.

Curtis Jones lost possession in his half minutes later, and Richarlison picked up the pieces, but his goal-bound effort was fended off by Konate.

Deep into stoppage time, Romero was sent off for his kick-out with Konate, and the host were reduced to nine men.

Porro struck the free kick from range, but it flew straight into Alisson’s gloves and the Reds left North London with all three points.