Liverpool's frustrating ability remains unmatched after 'masterclass' at Tottenham

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Liverpool verdict from Paul Gorst at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the Reds beat nine-man Spurs 2-1For 83 minutes, anyone searching for proof that Liverpool had finally turned the corner on their season will have gathered plenty of evidence here at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.With Arne Slot's side in full control at 2-0, cruising to a sixth game unbeaten - and a third successive clean sheet - against the 10 men of Spurs, everything was pointing towards a largely stress-free day at the office.A sloppy concession changed all of that, however, and despite offering very little in the final third prior to Richarlison's 83rd-minute effort, it was the hosts who suddenly looked the most likely to score again, even when they were given their second red card of the game for Cristian Romero.Quite why Liverpool struggle to see out two-goal advantages only Slot and his players will know but the dying embers here looked for all the world like it was about to happen for a fifth time this term across all competitions. Rarely has an important win like this felt like such scant progress.Yet another first half devoid of any real goal-mouth activity from Slot's men saw its big talking point arrive shortly after the half-hour mark when Xavi Simons was sent off by referee John Brooks for an ugly rake down the Achilles of Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk.Simons could have little argument after a VAR check, it was a late one that didn't need making and while his Netherlands international colleague Van Dijk attempted to make light of the challenge, a check with the monitor deemed it to be serious foul play.The Reds were unable to make their numerical advantage count for the remainder of the half, however, with the system suddenly looking an attacker light and a midfielder or two heavy.

That goal after 46 seconds against Brighton remains their only first-half goal since November 1, when Mohamed Salah was gift-wrapped a tap-in in stoppage time against Aston Villa.In an effort to give his team more attacking impetus, Slot sent on the costliest footballer in British history in Alexander Isak and if there was any fear as to how Liverpool are going to cope without an AFCON-bound Salah, the Reds, briefly at least, were able to field their most expensive frontline of all time in response to that predicament.And while £125m Isak, £116m Wirtz and £79m Ekitike's time in the front three was short lived, it was enough to do the damage in spades when a clumsy clearance from Romero struck Alexis Mac Allister 10 minutes after the restart.From there, Ekitike, Wirtz and Isak were all involved in a ruthless transition that saw the latter finish with aplomb with his final touch of the game. He now faces an anxious wait on a fresh injury concern at a time when he should be using the confidence boost of the goal to carry him forward after a difficult few months at Anfield.

A waiting game now ensues, though.In Isak's absence, it was Ekitike who stepped up once more, scoring his fifth goal in three games with a header from Frimpong's deflected cross and it's been a superb fortnight or so for the France international, who is now on 11 for the campaign at Anfield.But like Leeds United, two weeks ago, Liverpool decided that easing to an important away-day victory was too straightforward for their fans. The hope is that this particular issue is cramp but he was promptly withdrawn for Trey Nyoni as all hands were placed on deck for the last knockings.But after such a difficult period, perhaps it would be harsh to reflect too critically on what, ultimately, was three points on a day when Chelsea dropped two of their own at Newcastle United.Now in fifth, the top four looks closer than it has for a number of weeks and five without defeat in the Premier League is setting up for Slot's side for a strong finish to 2025.