Liverpool cling on to win chaotic clash against nine-man Spurs but Isak injured

Sometimes a game simply refuses to yield easy conclusions. Liverpool continued their gathering of momentum, a second straight win secured by goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitiké, but whether they would have done so had proceedings not been skewed in the 33rd minute feels decidedly uncertain. That was when Xavi Simons received a very modern VAR red card for a clumsy challenge on Virgil van Dijk and ensured neither side could present an authentic impression of itself.The fact this did not resemble Liverpool’s 6-3 rampage of 12 months ago may, for good or ill, speak volumes for how both teams have developed. But Arne Slot would have been delighted to see the interval substitute Isak open the scoring, only to see his glamour signing sustain a nasty-looking injury in the process. Ekitiké seemed to have put matters beyond doubt but Richarlison’s late drive, a note of pride for Spurs, was a reminder of the champions’ lingering frailties. Another sending off, this time for Cristian Romero in added time, ramped up the dysfunction. Continue reading...