'A lot to like' for Slot despite frantic ending to Liverpool's win at Spurs

Arne Slot said there was "a lot to like" about Liverpool's performance despite surviving a nervy finish to their 2-1 victory over nine-man Tottenham on Saturday.

The Reds played more than an hour with a numerical advantage after Xavi Simons was sent off in the first half for a reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool made that pressure count in the 56th minute when half-time substitute Alexander Isak put them ahead with a composed finish, though the Swede was forced off immediately afterwards with an injury.

Hugo Ekitike then doubled Liverpool’s lead 10 minutes later, brilliantly planting Jeremie Frimpong's deflected cross home after towering above Cristian Romero. 

The Reds were handed a scare when Richarlison sparked hopes of a late comeback seven minutes from time, but their momentum was quickly dashed when captain Romero was given his marching orders in stoppage time for a second bookable offence. 

Reflecting on the performance, Slot admitted the closing stages had left him frustrated, but he stressed the importance of securing the three points.

"The thing in football is you always remember the last few minutes, and they were the worst minutes of our total game," Slot told Sky Sports.

"If I can calm down a little bit and erase that from my memory, I think there is a lot to like in our performance.

"I've stood here many, many times and liked the performance a lot, and we were unable to get the three points.

"Now, for a large part, I liked the performance, and we have the three points."

Liverpool have now won 35 Premier League games against Tottenham, only ever beating West Ham United (38) and Newcastle United (37) more often.

The Reds have also netted 127 league goals against Spurs, their joint-most against any opponent, level with Newcastle.

When asked what contributed to such a frantic end to the match, Slot added: "We didn't keep the ball when we had the ball.

"We kicked it away, they got a few free-kicks, a few throw-ins, corners. It became very chaotic and hectic. Overall, we had good control over the game. Six games unbeaten, four wins and two draws.

"We are definitely not perfect yet but both of our number nines scored. Again, positives to take from the game.

"In the Premier League there is never a game that is boring. If the other team goes down to 10 then wingers are very important. That’s why Jeremie [Frimpong] is the one who created 2-0 with his actions."

Ekitike also echoed his manager's assessment, conceding it was not Liverpool's most fluent display but underlining the importance of the result.

"It wasn't our best game, a difficult game, but we had control," the Frenchman told BBC Match of the Day. "It was difficult in the last part of the second half because they pushed and they scored.

"We kept the result and we go back to Liverpool with the win. That is the most important thing."

Across all competitions in 2025-26, only Manchester City's Erling Haaland (23) has scored more non-penalty goals among Premier League players than Ekitike (11).

"[Scoring a goal] is the best feeling as a striker," Ekitike added. "You need goals. The most important is the win and to play with confidence, and obviously, if I can help with goals.

"The first goal I helped with the pass before the assist, so I try to help the team the best as I can and that's the most important."