Spurs Lose Again Against Liverpool

At this moment they knew they… Hugo Lloris and Toby Alderweireld look on as the ball crosses the line in the dying seconds of the game.

Image Credit: Evening Standard

By Lee Clow

31 March 2019 | Premier League

A Toby Alderweireld own goal in the 90th minute sends Tottenham into defeat again against Liverpool, leaving their top 4 hopes in doubt.

Liverpool survived a late scare from Tottenham as they claimed a vital 3 points to leapfrog Manchester City, who have a game in hand, at the top of the table by 2 points. With 6 games still to go, the title race could still be decided on the final day.

Roberto Firmino gave the hosts the lead against the North London club after he rifled in a header from a beautiful cross by Andy Robertson in the 16th minute. Spurs’ five man defence looked all over the place in the first half and nearly found themselves 2-0 down when Sadio Mane curled an effort just wide of the post from 20 yards.

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino switched his sides formation up in the second half and this allowed them to grow and take control of the game. Their first clear chance of the game came when Kane stuck a low effort at Allison who parried it into the path of Eriksen, but the midfielders follow-up shot was brilliantly blocked by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

20 minutes before end, Spurs found their deserved equaliser through Lucas Moura. Kane thought quickly with a free kick and found Trippier who laid the ball into Eriksen who’s shot turned out to become a great low cross for Moura to tap home.

Tottenham kept pressing on the Liverpool back line and should’ve found themselves in front after squandering 2 major chances. With 5 minutes remaining, Spurs broke quickly from a Liverpool corner and Sissoko found himself one on one with Van Dijk with Son in support. Van Dijk read the situation extremely well and made Sissoko strike with his weaker left foot. The Frenchman skied his effort over the bar and looked to have wasted the best chance for Spurs to win at Anfield for the first time since 2011. Despite the miss, Spurs still managed to create another chance to win the game. Dele Alli found himself in space and curled an effort from outside the box just over the bar.

The game was heading towards a draw but Liverpool got the winner in dramatic fashion, their 400th goal under Jurgen Klopp and perhaps most vital. Trent Alexander-Arnold swung in a deep cross that was met by Salah at the back post and despite Lloris getting a touch, it was weakly parried into Alderweireld, who couldn't help it from rolling over the line.

A vital 3 points for Liverpool keeps the pressure on Manchester City to perform who have a game in hand with the Merseyside club. For Tottenham, heart break again as it leaves them with only 1 point from a possible 15 and their grip on the top 4 even looser.

After the game Mauricio Pochettino spoke about his sides disappointment after their defeat. "We are all disappointed but at the same time we have to be happy with our second-half performance…We were a little bit unlucky to concede the second goal when we should have been ahead because we dominated Liverpool, who are a very good team…No one wants to lose but it's a different defeat than the ones we suffered against Southampton or Burnley.” Pochettino continued “I was telling the players in the changing room we have seven games and we are in top four and need to compete. It's a mini league and, playing the way we played today, I think we can achieve the top four."

Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp spoke after the game praising the home crowd at the game. "The crowd was outstanding, incredible atmosphere. They were really here to push us and at the end it helped. It's a big change, a big improvement.” Klopp continued "We have to get used to the situation, it's all good. It is only positive. I said to the lads there are 500 ways to win a football game and today was slightly ugly. Who cares in the end? Who cares? That's the situation."

What’s next?

Liverpool host Southampton in a late kick off on Friday whilst Tottenham play their first game at their new stadium against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.