Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Liverpool: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Ladbrokes’ post-match review of Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday, 20 December 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 in a tense Premier League clash at Tottenham’s ground. The first half saw Tottenham reduced to ten men when Xavi Simons was sent off in the 33rd minute following a VAR review, shifting momentum towards Liverpool who had been building pressure. Liverpool capitalised after the break, with Alexander Isak opening the scoring in the 56th minute assisted by Florian Wirtz, before Hugo Ekitiké doubled the lead in the 66th, reflecting Liverpool’s recent strong form with back-to-back wins coming into this match.

Tottenham fought back late, pulling one back through Richarlison in the 83rd minute after coming on as a substitute, but their discipline faltered again with Cristian Romero receiving a second yellow and red card in stoppage time at 90+3’. The hosts’ recent poor run, including three losses in their last five league games, left them chasing the game against a Liverpool side that has been consistent with only draws interrupting their wins. Despite a frantic finish with multiple yellow cards, Liverpool held on for a deserved victory that keeps them pushing in the top half of the table.

Liverpool dominated possession with 65% of the ball compared to Tottenham’s 35%, allowing them to control the tempo and create more opportunities, as shown by their six corners against Tottenham’s two. Tottenham edged successful dribbles at 80 to Liverpool’s 62, suggesting they were more effective on the counter, but their discipline let them down with five yellow cards and two reds, while Liverpool picked up three yellows. Substitutions played a role too, with Liverpool using all five – including Alexander Isak coming on at 46’ for Conor Bradley before being replaced by Jeremie Frimpong at 60’, and late changes like Federico Chiesa for Jeremie Frimpong at 90’ – whereas Tottenham used four, such as Brennan Johnson replacing Mohammed Kudus at 58’ and Richarlison coming on for Randal Kolo Muani at 80’.

No penalties were taken by either side, and Liverpool recorded one assist, underlining their slightly sharper edge in attack despite no injury-time goals from either team. Overall, the stats paint a picture of Liverpool’s control being disrupted by Tottenham’s resilience, but the hosts’ cards and fewer subs limited their comeback.

The match turned decisively in the first half when Tottenham’s Xavi Simons received a red card in the 33rd minute after a VAR check at 32’, leaving the hosts a man down and vulnerable. Liverpool made the most of it post-interval, with Alexander Isak scoring in the 56th minute assisted by Florian Wirtz, followed by Hugo Ekitiké’s goal in the 66th to make it 0-2. Tottenham’s late response came via Richarlison’s strike in the 83rd, but their hopes faded when Cristian Romero was shown a second yellow and sent off at 90+3’, compounding earlier bookings like Micky van de Ven’s yellow at 85’ and others in added time.

Substitutions influenced the flow, such as Liverpool bringing on Alexander Isak at 46’ for Conor Bradley, who then scored before being subbed off at 60’ for Jeremie Frimpong, while Tottenham’s changes like João Palhinha and Wilson Odobert replacing Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall at 71’ aimed to steady the ship. Liverpool’s late subs, including Andrew Robertson for Hugo Ekitiké at 90+9’ and Trey Nyoni for Florian Wirtz at 90+10’, helped them see out the win amid a flurry of cards.

Tottenham Hotspur lined up in a 4-2-2-2 formation, with partnerships like Cristian Romero in defence and Rodrigo Bentancur in midfield providing some backbone despite the red cards to Xavi Simons and later Romero. Richarlison made an impact after coming on as a substitute to score, while players like Micky van de Ven contributed defensively but picked up a late yellow.

Liverpool set up in a 4-2-3-1 shape, allowing attacking flair through players like Florian Wirtz who assisted Alexander Isak’s goal, with Hugo Ekitiké leading the line effectively to net the second. Substitutes such as Alexander Isak, who replaced Conor Bradley at half-time and scored before making way for Jeremie Frimpong, added dynamism, while Ibrahima Konaté and Alexis Mac Allister anchored the back and midfield despite their yellow cards.

Hugo Ekitiké earned Ladbrokes’ Man of the Match honours for his decisive contribution, scoring one goal that helped secure Liverpool’s lead without any assists or big chances created, though he managed one key pass in a composed display up front.

Recent Premier League matches:

• Loss: 1-2 vs Liverpool (H)
• Loss: 0-3 vs Nottingham Forest (A)
• Win: 2-0 vs Brentford (H)
• Draw: 2-2 vs Newcastle United (A)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Fulham (H)

Recent Premier League matches:

• Win: 2-1 vs Tottenham Hotspur (A)
• Win: 2-0 vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H)
• Draw: 3-3 vs Leeds United (A)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Sunderland (H)
• Win: 2-0 vs West Ham United (A)

Tottenham Hotspur, currently 13th on 22 points, have just lost 1-2 at home to Liverpool, extending a tough run with three defeats in their last five league outings including heavy losses to Nottingham Forest and Fulham. They need to bounce back quickly against Crystal Palace on 28 December 2025 at 16:30, where the opposition sit eighth on 26 points, offering a chance to close the gap on mid-table spots and build some momentum away from the bottom half.

Liverpool, sitting fifth on 29 points, have just won 2-1 away at Tottenham Hotspur, building on a solid recent form with three wins and two draws in their last five league games. They face Wolverhampton Wanderers next on 27 December 2025 at 15:00, with the strugglers bottom on just two points, presenting an opportunity to maintain their push for European places and potentially climb higher in the table.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.