Sun 31 March 2019, 18:33|
Tottenham Hotspur
A 90th-minute own goal saw us leave Liverpool empty-handed on Sunday afternoon.
We'd gone behind to Roberto Firmino's header inside 16 minutes as the Reds enjoyed the better of the middle part of the first half but worked our way back, levelling through Lucas Moura as we controlled the vast majority of the second period.
It looked like there was only going to be one winner as we swept forward in search of a second - Moussa Sissoko having our best chance as he fired over in a two-v-one counter-attack - but in the last minute of normal time, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris saved but couldn't hold Mo Salah's back-post strike from Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross and the ball trickled in off the legs of defender Toby Alderweireld, consigning us to a 2-1 defeat.
Lucas was a lively influence in attack from the outset in our first match in 22 days following FA Cup weekend and the subsequent international break but, in general, we were found wanting with our final ball. Liverpool's full-backs were finding space in the early stages and when left-back Andy Robertson delivered into the box from his flank, the arriving Firmino headed past Lloris from eight yards to give his side the lead.
Alexander-Arnold fired just wide while Sadio Mane thought he'd scored with the second of two right-footed curlers in the first period, only to see his effort from the edge of the area - like his first one - sail just off-target. In between those chances, Dele arrowed a fantastic shot narrowly over for us while we temporarily altered our shape to a five-man midfield to stifle Liverpool's threats from out wide.
We had some chances to score during the game and at the end we made a mistake. Here, away, it's so difficult but we controlled the game.
We were on the front foot straight away in the second period. Christian Eriksen went close 11 minutes after the restart as he ran onto the loose ball after Kane's left-footed shot was saved by goalkeeper Alisson, only to see it spin behind off Robertson, before we found a deserved equaliser with 20 minutes remaining. Kane, who was playing his 250th senior game for us in all competitions, had the presence of mind to take a free-kick just inside Liverpool's half quickly and picked out Kieran Trippier on the right, his ball in was met by Eriksen who swiped it across the box for Lucas to ram home.
Lloris was called into action a couple of times to tip over Alexander-Arnold's effort and then pounce on a loose ball after a dangerous corner from the right-back was knocked down in the six-yard box off Firmino but we weathered a series of set-pieces from the hosts and mounted a sustained push to win the game at the other end. Our best opportunity to do that arrived in the 85th minute when Sissoko and Heung-Min Son ran at Virgil van Dijk on the counter, but the defender showed the former onto his left foot and the France international blazed over. Danny Rose couldn't quite make the most of another sweeping move before disaster struck in the 90th minute. Again it was one of Liverpool's full-backs, Alexander-Arnold, who crossed into the box, Salah's shot was kept out by Lloris but the keeper couldn't hold onto the ball and it went in off the legs of Alderweireld.
Key moment
We had been pushing for a winner before the unfortunate own goal, but a key chance for us to snatch all three points slipped away in the 85th minute. We were sprung free from inside our own half and suddenly Sissoko was running forward alongside substitute Son in a two-on-one against Van Dijk.
With the angle to Son narrowed on his right by the defender, Sissoko ended up going it alone on his left foot but lifted his effort over the bar. With a couple of other chances created during that spell as well, it could have been an entirely different story after an impressive second-half showing at Anfield.
Mauricio's view
Manager Mauricio Pochettino said: "We reacted well, dominated in the second half and played much better, created chances and should have won the game.
"We’re disappointed, very disappointed, but we keep going. In football, you cannot think too much about things you cannot change."
Reaction on Spurs TV
Liverpool 2-1 Spurs
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson (c, Origi 77), Wijnaldum, Milner (Fabinho 77), Mane, Salah (Lovren 90+3), Firmino. Substitutes (not used): Mignolet, Keita, Lallana, Shaqiri.
Spurs (3-4-1-2): Lloris (c), Alderweireld, Sanchez (Son 69), Vertonghen, Trippier, Sissoko, Eriksen (Llorente 90+1), Rose, Dele, Lucas (Davies 82), Kane. Substitutes (not used): Gazzaniga, Foyth, Skipp, Wanyama.
Match data
Goals: Liverpool - Firmino 16, Alderweireld (OG) 90; Spurs - Lucas 70.
Yellow card: Spurs - Lucas 80.
Referee: Martin Atkinson.
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool.
Weather: Sunny intervals, gentle breeze, 11 degrees.
Attendance: 53,322.
