Liverpool won 4-3 against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday afternoon in the most unlikely of circumstances
Jurgen Klopp’s side took a 3-0 lead after fifteen minutes as Curtis Jones and Luis Diaz found the net within the first five minutes, before Mohamed Salah converted his penalty to send the chaotic Spurs side into trouble.
Harry Kane gave the visitors a glimmer of hope in the 39th minute to cut his side’s deficit to two heading into half-time before Son Heung-min took Tottenham even further back into the game to take the lead in the 77th minute 3-2 put. the clock.
Then further chaos unfolded as Richarlison scored his first league goal for the club since joining for £60 million in the summer to tie Tottenham three minutes after stoppage time.
But just seconds later, Diogo Jota burst through the dormant Spurs back line to reclaim victory for Liverpool on 94 minutes. Jurgen Klopp, so caught up in the madness, appeared to have injured his hamstring in the process.
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A number of young England players put in some good performances as Gareth Southgate watched
Luis Diaz returns
Shortly after the hour mark, all four corners of Anfield rose to greet the departing Luis Diaz. It has been almost seven months since the Colombian injured his knee at Arsenal in October.
This was his first start after returning to fitness and the 26-year-old marked it in style: he scored Liverpool’s second goal and was a reminder of the player who made such an impact after his arrival in January last year.
No wonder the winger’s face was tense with emotion after he fired a cross from Cody Gakpo on target and raced towards the corner flag. It has been a painful period, including surgeries and setbacks and eventually a few replacement gigs.
His return has certainly come too late to save Liverpool’s hopes of reaching the top four. But what a boost for Jürgen Klopp anyway.
For 63 minutes, the Colombian showed flashes of the tenacity and trickery and pace and industry that make him such a weapon.
Options for the English boss to consider
Gareth Southgate sat in the stands at Anfield and saw an engine room full of young English talent.
Harvey Elliott (20), Curtis Jones (22) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (24) joined Fabinho in Klopp’s midfield, while Oliver Skipp (22) helped anchor the visitors.
Jones opened the scoring, Alexander-Arnold trapped him, while Skipp was forced out after a nasty head injury.
Impatience with club owners on both sides
You would think that the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the chants against Daniel Levy would make Liverpool supporters grateful for the way this club is run. After all, under Fenway Sports Group – which also owns the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Penguins – Liverpool has won everything.
But some people will never be satisfied. So during and after half time a plane flew over Anfield with the message: ‘LFC-Sox-Penguins – same problems. FSG out.” You despair.
Maybe they thought lightning could never strike twice. Or maybe they sensed that another refund was on the way. But some Tottenham supporters still fought their way to the end after their side fell 2-0 down.
Last week Newcastle needed six minutes to double their lead. Liverpool succeeded in five. This time, Spurs held out at least until the 15 minutes before shipping a third.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to deter many traveling fans from heading to the exits. By then, these gluttons had already started a playlist of protest songs and black comedy. There were familiar calls for Daniel Levy to leave. But also renditions of: ‘We’re f****** s***.’
Those who stayed to the end thought their faith had been paid back. And then normal service resumed.
Bad timing from the DJ
A lightning start from Liverpool after a false start from the stadium DJ.
The players had just emerged from the tunnel when the first notes of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ came on. Supporters started holding up scarves and singing along. And then the music stopped.
After an awkward silence, the Premier League anthem sounded instead. In the end, the supporters, who had held their scarf above their heads, were also able to sing over their heads.
Paul Tierney is still in Liverpool’s bad books
Liverpool fans have never forgiven Paul Tierney for refereeing the clash between these two sides last season.
He was back in charge for this one and back in Liverpool’s bad books, even after Diogo Jota’s winner.
This time, however, Tierney was not joined by assistant Constantine Hatzidakis, who was accused of elbowing Andy Robertson earlier this month.