'Things can change in the Spur of a moment'
Liverpool and Spurs is always a fascinating contest, but recently at Anfield especially it has been a tactical battle, which football purists have found intriguing. In the 2-2 draw at Anfield last season, Spurs dictated the midfield battle in the second half, having long phases of possession, moving the ball well from left to right. Liverpool fans did not want a repeat of things, so when the team news came out and the 'Brexit' midfield was named of Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner and the captain Jordan Henderson was selected, Twitter did its thing, and had a semi meltdown before the game had even started. Fabinho, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri, were all on the bench, and Keita, though he should have scored, played well in the reverse fixture earlier in the season at Wembley. Liverpool were happy to know however, that Heung-Min Son was only on the bench for Spurs.
Early on in the game, Alisson almost lost the ball, but he was able to recover, as he does not like to hoof the ball up the pitch, he sometimes leaves fans gasping. A tentative opening from both sides, did not make for great viewing but in the 16th minute, Andy Robertson put in a near perfect cross and Roberto Firmino leapt highest to head Liverpool into the lead, a good ball into a dangerous area, a goal that was complex in its simplicity. Liverpool picked up the pace after this, and started let the shots fly at the Tottenham goal with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Sadio Mane both putting efforts wide. Dele Alli, fired over later in the half for Spurs, before Mane almost curled a shot into the corner for the home side.
Mauricio Pochettino must have given his side a good talking to, as Spurs came out looking more threatening in the second half. Alisson saved from Harry Kane, and the rebound fell to Christian Eriksen whose effort was blocked. A few minutes later, Liverpool caught Tottenham on the counter attack; Firmino slipped in Mo Salah, but Toby Alderweireld made a great block on the Egyptian, Salah maybe should have passed to Mane then try and score himself. Salah, shot over, before Spurs gained a free kick shortly after in the 69th minute. Kane smartly took the free kick quickly and found Kieran Trippier; Trippier played the ball in, Eriksen got a touch and Lucas Moura swept the ball in from close range to tie things up. Liverpool knowing they had to keep on winning if they were to have any chance of claimin their first league title since 1990, started to take more risks and pile more bodies forward. Hugo Lloris, tipped over a ball in by Alexander-Arnold that almost found its way in. The Frenchman also prevented a goal when a corner hit Firmino. In the 84th minute Spurs will be wondering how they did not finish the game off. They caught Liverpool on the break, and Mousa Sissoko found himself in a two v one, with van Dijk the only one back for the Reds. The Dutchman cleverly blocked off the pass to Son until Robertson was able to get back and cover Son. Sissoko, however had no composure and drove the ball well over the bar. Liverpool breathed a sigh of relief, van Dijk could give himself a pat on the back for his decision making, as he got an accidental stamp on the foot from Sissoko for his troubles. Spurs, were to catch Liverpool napping again at the back, but Alli could only curl the ball past the post. The game looked destined for a draw, when Liverpool got what had to be the last corner of the game. The initial corner was cleared, but then Robertson was able to get the ball back to Alexander-Arnold, and the right back sent the ball back high into the box. It found Salah who headed towards goal, Lloris saved it, but then the ball hit Alderweireld and went back towards the goal, the keeper and defender left it to each other to clear and the ball trickled over the goal line to give Liverpool the win. Scenes!
Spurs, will feel that they deserved a point at the sheer minimum, but Liverpool were not to be denied. If Spurs had taken their late chances they would have had nothing to worry about, but indecision cost them. Salah, was not able to end his goal drought but his part in the goal was significant. Could it just be Liverpool's year? Jordan Pickford's blunder earlier in the season got a late home win over Everton. Julian Speroni gifted them a goal to help them beat Crystal Palace 4-3, time will tell, but they do do say you make your luck and Liverpool kept striving and in the end succeeded. This title race could go to the wire.
@DubulDee
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