Liverpool Sweat on Scans for Isak, Wirtz and Bradley after bruising win at Spurs
Liverpool got the job done in North London, but the story after the whistle was less about three points and more about three injuries. The Reds face an anxious wait on scans for Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Conor Bradley after a bruising 2-1 win over nine-man Tottenham. It’s the sort of result that steadies the ship, yet it’s come at a cost that could shape Arne Slot’s festive plans.
What happened at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Conor Bradley was hooked at half-time after taking a whack late in the first half. Moments after Liverpool finally found a spark, Alexander Isak – having just buried the opener – was forced off immediately, clattered by Micky van de Ven in the aftermath of his goal. To cap it off, Florian Wirtz was seen feeling his hamstring at the death as the Reds clung on for a gritty 2-1.
Pearce’s update: scans due, early indications mixed
According to The Athletic’s Liverpool reporter James Pearce, all three will be assessed with scans. Initial fear around Isak centred on the knee, but Pearce has since indicated on X that it’s a lower-leg issue instead – not exactly a sigh of relief, but a different concern nonetheless. There’s optimism that Bradley’s knock isn’t anything major, and Wirtz’s late twinge is hoped to be no more than cramp. Bottom line: the medical room, not the training pitch, will deliver the next big result for Liverpool.
Why Isak’s knock matters
A stretcher was called amid the commotion, and while the knee appears spared, a lower-leg problem can still be a nasty speed bump. It’s a shame, too, because this could’ve been a springboard evening for the Premier League record signing, who made a high-profile move from Newcastle United in the summer and has been searching for rhythm. The big moments have been in short supply so far – beyond earlier strikes against West Ham and Southampton in the Carabao Cup – but his finish here was sharp and arrived when Liverpool had looked toothless before the break. It felt like the night Isak might really get his Liverpool career motoring; now it’s down to the scan room.
Festive schedule raises the stakes
The calendar offers no mercy: Wolves, Leeds, Fulham and Arsenal between 27 December and 8 January. That’s a punishing run even at full strength. Slot will want clarity fast, because any spell without Isak – plus even minor setbacks for Bradley or Wirtz – forces a rethink of the attacking and right-back rotations that have underpinned Liverpool’s early-season balance. If you’re tracking the twists and turns of the title race and cup pushes, you’ll already have one eye on the markets at best betting sites.
Selection calls for Slot
Even in victory, not everyone covered themselves in glory. One Liverpool regular endured a torrid night and, sentiment aside, Slot may have to make a hard call before Wolves. Performances earn shirts under this regime; reputations don’t. With the games piling up, fresh legs and sharper minds may be Liverpool’s best defence against fatigue as much as any opponent.
For now, Liverpool bank the win and brace for the verdict. If the news is kind – Bradley fine, Wirtz merely cramp, Isak’s issue manageable – Saturday could prove a turning point rather than a cautionary tale. If not, the squad’s depth and Slot’s pragmatism will be tested, and tested quickly.
