Liverpool Win, but Anger as Van de Ven Challenge Casts Shadow Over Spurs Chaos

Liverpool left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with three points, fifth place in the table, and a sixth match unbeaten — but the overriding emotion at full-time was not relief or celebration. It was anger.

Anger that a match Liverpool largely controlled against a flailing, ill-disciplined Tottenham side may have come at a devastating cost. Anger that Alexander Isak, a £125m record signing just beginning to find his feet, was left writhing on the turf after a reckless challenge that may have broken his leg. And anger that, once again, Liverpool’s season has been defined as much by misfortune as by football.

The 2–1 victory, secured by goals from Isak and Hugo Ekitike, was chaotic, dramatic and ultimately deserved. But it will forever be remembered for a moment that felt unnecessary, avoidable — and unforgivable.

Isak Strikes, Then Falls — And Everything Changes

Arne Slot sent Isak on at half-time after Conor Bradley suffered a knock, and the impact was immediate. Ten minutes into the second half, the Swede was released by a clever pass from Florian Wirtz, calmly finishing past Guglielmo Vicario to give Liverpool the lead.

Then came the moment that turned stomachs.

As Isak got his shot away, Micky van de Ven slid across with brutal momentum, catching the striker late and low. Isak collapsed instantly. No celebration. No smile. Just a raised hand and a look of pure distress.

He tried to continue. He couldn’t.

Fifteen minutes after coming on, Isak was gone — helped from the pitch, a stretcher waiting, scans looming, fears growing. By Monday morning, reports suggested a suspected broken leg.

Let’s be clear:
This wasn’t “unlucky.”
This wasn’t “one of those things.”

It was reckless.

Van de Ven didn’t win the ball. He didn’t pull out. He didn’t show control. And somehow, Liverpool were left without even the comfort of further punishment.

If that tackle ends Isak’s season — or worse, derails his Liverpool career before it truly began — it will be remembered long after the scoreline is forgotten.

Ekitike Steps Up Amid the Chaos

Liverpool could easily have folded after losing Isak. Instead, Hugo Ekitike once again showed why he is becoming indispensable.

On 66 minutes, Jeremie Frimpong’s deflected cross found Ekitike at the back post, and the Frenchman rose above the chaos to head home his fifth goal in three league games. Spurs raged. Cristian Romero booked himself protesting. Liverpool didn’t care.

Ekitike is no longer a supporting act.
Right now, he is Liverpool’s attack.

And with Salah away at AFCON, Gakpo injured, and Isak potentially sidelined for months, that reality has just become unavoidable.

Spurs Lose Their Heads — Literally

Tottenham were already spiralling when Xavi Simons was rightly sent off in the first half for a wild, studs-down rake on Virgil van Dijk, upgraded to red after VAR intervention.

That should have been the end of Spurs’ resistance. It wasn’t.

Richarlison pulled one back late on, Liverpool panicked, and — unbelievably — it was difficult at times to tell Spurs were down to ten men.

Then, fittingly, Cristian Romero lost control completely, lashing out at Ibrahima Konaté in injury time and earning a second yellow. Nine men. Total chaos. Another home defeat.

Spurs have now lost 11 home league games in 2025 — the worst calendar-year record in their history. Thomas Frank’s reign already feels under siege.

Liverpool Hold On — But At What Cost?

Statistically, Liverpool dominated possession (65.1%), territory (30 touches in Spurs’ box), and aerial battles (17 won to Spurs’ 9). But the xG tells a worrying story: Tottenham 1.01, Liverpool 0.59.

This was not control. This was survival.

Slot admitted afterward:

“It’s never a nice thing when a player gets injured after scoring… we have to wait and see.”

But waiting is the last thing Liverpool can afford.

Conclusion: A Win That Feels Like a Loss

Yes, Liverpool move up to fifth.
Yes, they are unbeaten in six.
Yes, they showed grit.

But if Alexander Isak’s leg is broken — if his season is gone — then this win will feel hollow. Football is brutal enough without challenges that cross the line from competitive to careless.

Liverpool fought.
Liverpool won.

But one sliding tackle may have just stolen far more than three points.