Arne Slot scored another important win as his two summer strikers, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, scored the goals in North London.
This was Liverpool’s third win in a row, but the performance showed that some of the Reds’ underlying problems remain.
This is how the media reacted to Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool.
It was a big win for Liverpool, but far from flawless
On Xjournalist David Lynch did not hold back in his criticism of the Reds, despite the result:
“Liverpool were really bad all night and then really terrible after Tottenham were down to nine men, but that’s another win, six unbeaten and somehow level for fourth.
“For now, at least, the end justifies the means.”
Ian Doyle of the Echo described it as a “strange” win for the Premier League champions:
“Strange one tonight. No one for LFC was particularly bad, but not many were particularly great for the entire 90.
“But they were always the better side and almost held their heads when Spurs completely lost theirs.”
The Athletics James Pearce couldn’t help but find negatives in Liverpool’s victory:
“Liverpool worked very hard on that. They made it 2-0 after goals from Isak/Ekitike after Simons’ red card. But then panic struck.
“They completely lost their heads after Richarlison pulled one back. Even after Romero’s dismissal, they could have given in.”
Sam Wallace of the Telegraph continued the negativity, with Liverpool’s performance towards the end not befitting of champions:
“Towards the end, Arne Slot’s players held on for a win against a dysfunctional nine-man Tottenham team with one of the worst home records in the club’s history – so not all of these wins felt like a major triumph for the defending Premier League champions…
“Liverpool owed a lot to Alisson’s very confident performance in the closing stages. A less experienced goalkeeper might have lost his cool.”
But there was still plenty to admire about Liverpool
Gethin Hicks of the Mail was positive about the form Liverpool is putting together:
“That feels like an important victory for Arne Slot, whose team is now in fifth place in the Premier League.
“It wasn’t easy, especially as they played against 10 men for much of the game, but they got the job done.
“Liverpool is slowly going through a kind of unbeaten run. That is now six without a loss.”
Squawka focused on a strong evening for Florian Wirtz, who finally got his first Premier League assist:
Florian Wirtz for Liverpool against Tottenham:
? Most passes in the final third (50)
? Most possessions won (7)
? Most touches in opp. box (7)
? Most take-ons completed (4)
?= Most chances created (2)And his first assist in the Premier League. ?? https://t.co/Ypw6ujfNZE
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 20, 2025
Meanwhile, the Mirror‘S Felix Kees believed there were good signs without Mohamed Salah around:
“Peter Crouch was among the pundits who suggested that Salah’s absence would give Slot the opportunity to play alongside Ekitike against Isak.
“He was right, but not in the way he expected as they had been on the pitch together for less than ten minutes. But there was still a glimpse of Liverpool’s future.”
“Firstly, it was Wirtz who slotted Isak home with a beautifully weighted through ball. The ex-Newcastle man did what he was known for, confidently hitting his finish into the net.
“But the excitement surrounding Ekitike will be even greater because the way he bullied Romero into nodding would undoubtedly draw thousands of clenched fists from Reds fans around the world.”
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