A frantic finale saw Liverpool and Tottenham secure injury-time goals, playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
With the reverse fixture having gone so poorly for Klopp’s men earlier in the season, this was a suitable opportunity to enact some revenge on Mauricio Pochettino’s side and extend the points gap between the two. Such plans got off to the perfect start when Mohamed Salah netted his 20th goal in the Premier League inside the opening few minutes, with the Egyptian capitalising on a miscommunication at the back before coolly slotting the ball past Hugo Lloris.
The Reds should’ve extended their lead in the opening forty-five, with Spurs bereft of any of the defensive solidity we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from them over the years. A delicious cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold down the right-hand side narrowly missed the head of Bobby Firmino while James Milner saw his shot deflect wide of the target.
The only negative from the first-half was Liverpool’s inability to make their chances count, having put just one past Lloris in an exhilarating start to the contest that completely silenced the rhythm of their opponents.
Naturally, Spurs were to improve in the second-half, forcing Loris Karius into two good saves; the second of which denied Son Heung-Min after he wriggled his way through the defence to mount a sight of goal. Getting more time and space in possession, the warning signs were very much creeping in for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Two quickfire changes saw Georginio Wijnaldum and Oxlade-Chamberlain enter the fray, but neither substitute could do anything to stop the pattern of proceedings. Credit must be given to the determined nature of Liverpool’s back-four, who stood firm before a late equaliser gave the visitors a priceless equaliser.
For all the attacking flair that was on show at Anfield, Victor Wanyama was the man to produce the goods, smashing the ball home from 25 yards out. The goal very much condemned how the rest of the game would go, with Spurs getting a golden chance to pull ahead after Loris Karius was judged to have brought down Harry Kane inside the area.
The German ‘keeper has suffered plenty of criticism since his move from the Bundesliga but redeemed himself with a brilliant stop to deny the Premier League’s top goal-scorer from pulling off what would’ve been a very snatch and grab victory for the visitors.
Step up Mo Salah.
Liverpool’s in-form forward produced a stunning goal to enhance an already impressive flurry of goals this season, wriggling his way past four defenders before beating Lloris. It seemed for all the world as though the Egyptian would have the last laugh in the battle between him and Kane, but there was one more twist in the tale in the closing stages.
Despite waving play on after a collision between Van Dijk and Moussa Dembele, Jon Moss turned to his linesman before issuing Spurs with a penalty right at the death. The latest in a long-running line of farcical decisions from referees this season, Kane dispatched the penalty without a second-thought in what could prove to be a goal with huge ramifications for the top-four chase.
Liverpool remain in third place with two points separating them from Tottenham, but Klopp’s men will have every right to feel aggrieved at the decision in another game sadly stolen by a controversial refereeing decision.
After listening to that game..I’m not happy with the officials..but to attack Jurgen klopp(Tottenham fans)…u would get upset if that dive and two penalties were perpetrated against your team..basically two points dropped..we should of won this game..but defensive mistake plus bad refereeing..,equals two points dropped..dele alli should get 7.5 for a dive with no splash..