In a game that exemplified the season of both teams, Diogo Jota scored an injury-time winner in front of the Kop, to cancel out a dramatic equaliser from Everton old boy, Richarlison. How it ever came to such fine margins, would probably take a phycologist to explain, but after surging into a 3-0 lead inside 15 minutes, the finale was probably the most Spurs thing you’ll ever see.
Having won their previous three games, Liverpool struck twice inside the opening five minutes. Curtis Jones sublimely finished with his left foot, after a pinpoint pass to the back post by Trent Alexander-Arnold, whilst Cody Gapko found a resurgent Luis Diaz just yards from goal, which the Colombian brilliantly volleyed with his right foot, past a forlorn Forster. Spurs were shell-shocked, and a third followed on the quarter hour, with Salah ending his penalty hoodoo, rifling his spot kick into the roof of the net.
With all sections of the ground, perhaps envisaging a similar outcome to the drubbing Spurs suffered at St James Park last week, Liverpool allowed complacency to take over. Sloppy in possession, lethargic throughout, and lacking both purpose and intensity, they gifted Tottenham chance after chance, until a slip-up by Van Dijk led to an easy volley for Harry Kane. Such a profiling striker was not likely to spurn the opportunity, and Liverpool went into the break 3-1 in front.
Whatever Jurgen Klopp said in the dressing room, had little effect on a team, that seemed to be content to simply continue as they left off. Liverpool lacked intent, whilst Spurs had their takes up, striking the woodwork twice in quick succession. Klopp had seen enough. Diaz, clearly tiring was replaced by Jota, whilst Henderson, no doubt introduced to keep his teammates ‘at it’ came on for surprise inclusion, Harvey Elliot.
The substitutions appeared to momentarily galvanise Liverpool, and with Darwin Nunez later replacing Gapko, it seemed Liverpool would more comfortably see the game out. Spurs, however, continued to press, and it was soon 3-2, as Son shot between the legs of Alisson with just 15 minutes remaining. At this point, a Spurs equaliser looked inevitable, and with former blue, Richarlison on for Tottenham, and nerves enveloping the ground, the home fans were baying for the final whistle.
As the 90th minute approached, six minutes of injury time were signalled, and the anxiety was palpable. Paul Tierney, predictably awful throughout the game, booked James Milner, having earlier not even given a foul for an atrocious tackle on Diaz, which should have resulted in an early red card. The resulting free-kick reached the Brazilian at the back post, and a downward header looped over Alisson to make it 3-3 in the 93rd minute.
Having led 3-0, with some scintillating football, Liverpool looked like they’d somehow given up three points. Yet again, their season-long lack of consistency and intensity, looking for all money, to have been their downfall once again. Jota though, had other ideas, and Spurs, so often known for contriving to throw away games in a cavalier fashion, did so again. Atrocious laxity in defence, presenting the ‘lad from Portugal’ with the ball in the left channel. Bearing down on goal in front of the Kop, he slotted home with his left foot. Cue delirium amongst the home crowd; a celebration from Klopp, for which he was both booked, and pulled a hamstring, and no doubt, that oh-so-familiar sinking feeling amongst fans of Tottenham Hotspur.
So the last four league games have gleaned 12 points. However, a consistent run of results has almost certainly come too late to secure Champions League football. Realistically, Europa League awaits Liverpool next season, whilst fans await new signings. Make no mistake about it, new signings are desperately needed. The recent run of results, shouldn’t be allowed to mask the inconsistencies of a season, that nearly saw a 3-0 lead against a shambles of a Spurs side at Anfield, add to the catalogue of dropped points witnessed so often this season
