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Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur played out a two-all draw in the Premier League last night, in what was a thrilling encounter for a place in the top four.
With two of the league’s top scorers on either side, this match was also billed as ‘Salah versus Kane’ and it was the Egyptian who drew first blood for the hosts with a third minute opener.
An extended period of domination followed for Liverpool but they struggled to make it count and Spurs hit back with a late equalizer by Victor Wanyama. The midfielder lashing one in from 20 meters out.
Just minutes later, Tottenham were given the opportunity to turn the match in their favour, as Loris Karius fouled Harry Kane for a penalty. The Englishman dusted himself off, only to have his effort saved by the German.
A minute into stoppage time and Liverpool thought they had won it, thanks to Salah’s second of the match, but with seconds left to play, Spurs were awarded another penalty due to a Virgil van Dijk foul on Erik Lamela.
Kane once again stepped up, sending Karius the wrong way and scoring a landmark goal to see the match end 2-2. Here are five things we learned from the tight affair.
#1 Liverpool’s pressing game was excellent
Manager Jürgen Klopp may have played down suggestions of revenge – his side lost 4-1 to their opponents in the reverse fixture – ahead of this match, but Liverpool’s first half performance and patches of it in the second half proved the Reds had learned an important lesson from Wembley: never allow Spurs time on the ball.
When Tottenham fans or pundits did their official player ratings following this match, one can’t imagine Mauricio Pochettino’s players would’ve received huge amounts of credit for their influence on this match, as their opponents ensured it’s limitation for the longest period possible.
Almost every time Spurs when in possession, five seconds were barely afforded to them. Klopp’s players were after the ball like a swarm of bees buzzing after honey.
It was the kind of performance that would’ve left Spurs fans wondering where their best players in Dele Alli, Son Heung-min and Christian Eriksen were and Liverpool fans looking forward to more consistent performances in the future.
#2 21 reasons to love Mo Salah
Mohamed Salah’s impact on Liverpool has been nothing short of mesmerizing and his performance in this match was simply of that calibre.
The Egyptian scored two goals for the Reds – his 20th and 21st goal of the season – becoming the first player in Liverpool history to reach that landmark in the fewest games (25 games).
The former Roma player has undoubtedly exceeded expectations, such that if the season were to end right now, he would’ve more than guaranteed his place amongst the Reds’ greatest signings.
#3 Controversial refereeing decisions
Liverpool fans will rightly be the most frustrated, out of the two sets of fans, with this result. Many felt their side were hard done by referee Jon Moss and Linesman Eddie Smart’s decisions.
For most of the match, the home crowd were audibly disgruntled with the fouls given against their side and those ignored against them and their frustration reached a climax when Spurs’ first penalty were awarded, despite eventual kick-taker Kane appearing to be in an offside position.
That the ball took a touch off Reds defender Dejan Lovren and therefore counted as onside play could be judged as an unfair argument, as the fact that Kane was offside from the moment the ball was played and showed an interest in attacking it means he was offside.
A second penalty was awarded in the dying embers of the game and even that was a debatable call, as Van Dijk had no intention of harming his opponent and Lamela clearly made the most of the contact he received.
The names of Moss and Smart certainly won’t be well received in future occasions at Anfield due to these decisions which left Klopp fuming.
#4 Kane joins the century club
If he wasn’t already considered a legend by anyone connected to Tottenham Hotspur, then his last minute equalizer at Anfield certainly wrote his name into Spurs folklore.
Harry Kane scored a landmark 100th Premier League goal for his side, joining an elite list of scorers including Thierry Henry, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer, to name a few.
Should he remain in the English top flight for the foreseeable future, Kane will undoubtedly climb his way up the ladder of great goal-scorers. He is certainly one to keep an eye on.
#5 Liverpool must repeat rare defensive performance
Klopp’s men may have conceded a disappointing two goals, which are enough to undermine any team’s performance, but the German would’ve taken note of the fact that beside those goals, Liverpool had put in one of their most assured defensive performances this season.
Take note of the fact that Spurs were the dominant side in possession in this match – something the home side tend to see the best of in most games – but the Wembley outfit couldn’t lay a glove on their opponents, as their attacks were well defended and it took a truly sublime effort and a controversial penalty to breach Liverpool’s defence.
As Klopp returns to the drawing board, the encouragement to his side should be that their defensive play was excellent and a continuation of such performances in upcoming matches will profit them well.
