Far from perfect Liverpool outpoint nine-man Spurs

In a flash, the pieces finally clicked together.

- JAMIE BRAIDWOOD

It took less than six seconds for Liverpool's £300m trio to rip through Tottenham's 10 men after Cristian Romero's careless pass from defence. Hugo Ekitike looked up and picked out Florian Wirtz, suddenly free in the space he has spent so much time trying to find. Wirtz took a touch and sensed the run immediately, producing the pass. And there was Alexander Isak, supplying the movement and the first-time finish, as well as the ruthlessness Liverpool wanted when they smashed their transfer record to sign him.

And then, like a window that closed as quickly as it had opened, a vision of Liverpool's future disappeared.

Isak, upon scoring just his second Premier League goal since his record £125m move from Newcastle, was clattered into by Micky van de Ven as the Tottenham defender attempted the block. The striker's face revealed the immediate concern, as did the sight of Liverpool's players cutting their celebrations short.

As soon as Isak had lift off, he was grounded again. On as a halftime substitute, he limped off 10 minutes later with an ankle injury that could sideline him for the foreseeable future.