(AFP) - Liverpool moved back top of the Premier League in dramatic fashion as Toby Alderweireld's last-minute own goal beat Tottenham 2-1 at Anfield on Sunday (March 31).
Jurgen Klopp's side move two points clear of Manchester City once more at the top of the table, but City have a game in hand.
Liverpool's hopes of ending a 29-year wait to win the title looked set to be dealt a massive blow as Lucas Moura's strike 20 minutes from time cancelled out Roberto Firmino's early opener.
However, Hugo Lloris could only palm Mohamed Salah's header into the path of the unfortunate Alderweireld to condemn Tottenham to a fourth defeat in five Premier League games.
Spurs are now in serious danger of crashing out of the top four as they remain level on points with Manchester United and could be usurped by north London rivals Arsenal into third should the Gunners beat Newcastle on Monday.
And the visitors will be left to regret a huge missed chance by Moussa Sissoko five minutes from time when Liverpool were wobbling.
The hosts had got off to the perfect start when Firmino headed home the opener on 16 minutes from a delightful Andy Robertson cross.
Â
That was Robertson's 12th assist of the season from left-back and the Scotland captain was involved again in a flowing move moments later as he forged down the left and neat touches from Salah, and Georginio Wijnaldum teed up Sadio Mane to curl just wide.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino was serving the last of a two-game touchline ban and without the guiding hand of the Argentine, they lacked inspiration in the final third.
However, Liverpool were often causing their own problems by gifting away possession inside their own half and Dele Alli pounced on a slack pass by his England teammate Jordan Henderson to power a volley that dipped just over the bar with Spurs' best effort of the first-half.
Virgil van Dijk had a great chance to double the hosts' lead at the start of the second period, but the Dutch defender headed over after a well-worked short corner between Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Milner.
However, Liverpool were thankful again to Robertson at the other end as he made a vital block to prevent Christian Eriksen firing home the rebound after Alisson Becker was forced into his first save of the afternoon by Harry Kane.
When these two sides met at Anfield last season, Salah scored one his many goal of the season candidates amidst an incredible 44-goal campaign.
The Egyptian still has a respectable 20 this season, but only one of those has come in the last 11 games and he passed up a great chance to give Liverpool some badly needing breathing space when his shot was blocked by Alderweireld with Mane better placed and begging for a pass.
That missed opportunity looked costly as Tottenham struck back. Kane's quick thinking and excellent long-range pass picked out Kieran Trippier, who fed Eriksen and his scuffed shot fell perfectly for Moura to turn home.
As Liverpool surged forward in search of a winner, Spurs could have picked them off as Sissoko blazed over with just Alisson to beat before Alli clipped a shot inches wide.
Instead, there was delirium in front of the Kop end as Lloris should have handled Salah's header, but instead parried the ball into Alderweireld and the ball ricocheted over the line to breathe fresh life into Liverpool's title challenge.
"I'm not happy to play the second role. That's why I said next year I will need to have a more important role to play in the team." When asked whether he has already had offers to go elsewhere, Giroud added: "Yes but I won't reveal that now. The priority is Chelsea.
Giroud demands important role at Chelsea next season
"Maurizio Sarri has been charged with misconduct in relation to his behaviour in the 94th minute of Monday's Premier League fixture between Chelsea and Burnley," the FA said in a statement
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri charged by FA for behaviour
Buffon: PSG and Man Utd are equal as Champions League tie approaches the attitude and the spirit of sacrifice for the team," he told reporters. Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian
Gigi Buffon identifies two problems PSG have ahead of
Football: Klopp confirms Firmino fitness for Champions League final Roberto Firmino trained in Madrid on Friday and is fit after missing Liverpool's last three games, manager Jurgen Klopp said
Tottenham vs Liverpool: Roberto Firmino passed fit for
Football: Veteran Quagliarella helps rejuvenated Italy thrash Liechtenstein The Straits Times Stefano Sensi, Marco Verratti and Leonardo Pavoletti also found the net.
Liechtenstein News, Stats, Fixtures and Results - Yahoo Sports
Football: Spurs 'still in a dream' after Man City win, says
Football: Keita and Firmino give Liverpool 2-0 Champions
On this day: Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra hits back at Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger… Benjani's pal keen to sign for Blues
2019 Sell, Release, Keep or Try to sign: Midfielders - owtb.co.uk
Portland, United Kingdom - A body recovered from the submerged wreckage of a plane that went down in the English Channel more than two weeks ago has been identified as that of footballer Emiliano
Body in Channel wreckage identified as footballer Sala
Sarri refused to talk to the press after being sent off during Chelsea's draw with Burnley, with his assistant Zola claiming he was 'offended' by something said from the visitors' bench.
Chelsea report Burnley over insults aimed at Maurizio Sarri
Fifa study to decide fate of 48-team World Cup, Football News
Marcus Rashford is an English professional footballer. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.
90min - Marcus Rashford In The Form Of His Life! | Facebook
Bilbao (Spain) (AFP) - Lionel Messi was short of fitness and Barcelona lacked spark as a goalless draw away to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday offered fresh hope to their rivals in the title race. A thigh injury had limited Messi to 27 minutes against Real Madrid on Wednesday and while he played the full match at San Mames, Barca's assistant
Barca give fresh hope to La Liga rivals after Bilbao stalemate
0 comments:
Post a Comment