Liverpool 2-2 Spurs: Late drama at Anfield as Spurs handed two penalties

Premier League
Sunday 04 February 2018 - 4:30 pm
Anfield
Liverpool2
2Tottenham
Show Match Events
⚽️ Salah3'
Alexander-Arnold42'
Milner59'
Mane off, Oxlade-Chamberlain on ↔️64'
Henderson off, Wijnaldum on ↔️64'
68' Alli
71'↔️ Sánchez off, Lamela on
Milner off, Matip on ↔️78'
79'↔️ Dembélé off, Wanyama on
80'⚽️ Wanyama
90'⚽️ Kane
⚽️ Salah91'
Possession %
3466
Total Shots
912
Shots on Target
35
Shots Blocked
25
Offside
22
Hide Match Events

Liverpool and Spurs played out an entertaining draw but it was a game of two halves for the reds.

Salah scored at either end of the game but Harry Kane scored at his second attempt at a penalty to give both sides a point.

Two changes for the reds

Two changes and both in Liverpool's defence. Joel Matip made way for Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold came in to replace the injured Joe Gomez.

Dejan Lovren was selected, making his first appearance alongside van Dijk, and being handed the opportunity to make amends for his horror show against Spurs back in October.

Spurs kept the same side that beat Manchester United in midweek.

Just like against Man City, Liverpool lost the toss, and had to kick towards the Kop in the first half.  But within 150 seconds Liverpool had taken the lead.

As it happened: LFC 2-2 Spurs

The reds early pressing caused Erik Dier to send a ball back towards his own keeper and Mo Salah raced in to intercept and flash it past Hugo Lloris.  It was his 20th league goal for Liverpool arriving in his 25th league game - setting a record as the fastest player to reach 20 Premier League goals for the reds.

Spurs stuck to their plan of playing out from the back, trying to stretch the protective Liverpool midfield and peel them away from the central defenders.

But the plan didn't work too well in the first half and Karius was only drawn into one significant moment when he saved well from a Dembele edge of area shot.

Liverpool were playing well.  Mane looked back to better form and was intercepting chances and looking to be creative.

From two free kicks midway through the half - the big head of Virgil van Dijk met the ball - and on one of the occasions he drew a good low save from Lloris.

Harry Kane was restricted to few touches, let alone chances, with Alexander Arnold providing a watchful eye on his every move.

Second half

Spurs came out in the second half with more determination but they were prevented from getting an early equaliser by the combined efforts of Karius and van Dijk.  Van Dijk cool and calm with the clearances and Karius coming out at to deny Son a goalscoring chance at the corner of his 6 yard box.

The increasing threat from Spurs brought about a double change in the 64th minute - with Oxlade-Chamberlain and Wijnaldum coming on to replace Sadio Mane and Jordan Henderson.

The change didn't have an immediate impact as the reds remained deep, penned in by an attack minded Spurs.  Dele Alli and Harry Kane more closely involved with the game.

Eventually Liverpool's goal would be breached - and it arrived courtesy of substitute Victor Wanyama who smashed in a 30 yard shot with gallons of power.

With five minutes remaining it looked to be getting worse for the reds when Harry Kane was awarded a penalty.  Replays showed that Harry Kane had been offside but the officials had a lengthy discussion and stuck with the decision.

But Harry Kane's penalty was saved by Loris Karius and the reds managed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Late drama would still await - and after a wretched half Mo Salah thought he had the last laugh when in injury time he popped up to lash in what he thought was the winning goal.

But then another penalty was awarded for Spurs in injury time - a very soft award once again by the assistant linesman after the referee had waved it away.

A fist pump from the assistant referee at the decision.

This time Harry Kane found the back of the net to make it 2-2.

The reds remain 2 points ahead of Spurs who face Arsenal next weekend.

2 comments on
Liverpool 2-2 Spurs: Late drama at Anfield as Spurs handed two penalties

  1. Result was fair. The method that they reached that result however wasn’t. First one was offside and not even sure Karius touched him. Don’t give me the ‘new phase of play’ when Lovren got a touch. Second pen was soft. Surprised they didn’t give a pen for Dele Alli’s dive.

    Hope Arsenal batter them next week but I won’t hold out much hope. Onwards and upwards.

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