Even in defeat, Liverpool showed that they are in this title race. To show the resilience to compete with ten and then nine men against Spurs, and even create chances to win, should give them a huge amount of confidence.
Yes, it must be terrible when the dressing room loses at the end due to an unfortunate own goal, especially since the PGMOL admitted on Saturday evening that they had wrongly disallowed Luis Diaz’s goal in the first half.
But once the dust settled, it was a phenomenal effort. Sometimes you can get more out of defeat than an easy win, and Liverpool have shown repeatedly this season that they are fighters.
One factor is the return of Virgil van Dijk, who looks very sharp and is back to his best. Those who had written him off and thought the best was behind him? Not in a million years. He seemed comfortable with the armband after taking over the captaincy from Jordan Henderson. He took responsibility. He was a magnet for the ball and the determination he showed with every block and header was fantastic.
It almost seems like he wants to make up for his red card at Newcastle. It certainly didn’t look like the captaincy would be a burden for him last night.
Liverpool showed they are in the title race after a resilient performance against nine-man Tottenham
Virgil van Dijk is back to his best and has not allowed the potential burden of captaincy to have an impact on his performances
The Reds did not lose any ground on leaders Manchester City after they also lost on Saturday afternoon
And now that Manchester City are also losing, Liverpool knows they have not lost any ground at the top.
With eleven men I don’t think there is much doubt that Liverpool will have achieved a better result. Curtis Jones’ red card was an example of what frustrates people who have played the game about refereeing. The officials looked at the situation surrounding Jones’ challenge and, in the wake of the injury, decided it was a send-off. They based their judgment on the outcome of the challenge, rather than on what actually happened.
I understand what Jones did. He went for a tackle without any malice and slipped as he tried to gain control of the ball. Of course, we don’t want anyone to get hurt and if someone commits a reckless tackle or gets out of hand, they should be punished.
Curtis Jones’ red card is an example of what frustrates people who have played the game about referees
Jones slipped as he tried to gain control of the ball but was given his marching orders after a VAR review in the first half
Of course, we don’t want anyone to get hurt and if someone commits a reckless tackle or gets out of hand, they should be punished. But Jones’ tackle was neither and I think you would get widespread approval from ex-professionals.
When the ‘victim’, Yves Bissouma, looks back at it tomorrow, he wouldn’t want to get a red card for what Jones did.
I have less sympathy for Diogo Jota, who was clearly excited when he came on and made more than one lunge when shown a yellow card.
He didn’t touch Destiny Udogie. That’s why Jota was upset about his second booking, but he dug in, and it wasn’t the first time. The referee had let him get away with that before.