Tottenham dominated Anfield and drew 1-1 with Liverpool, with Richarlison scoring the equalizer in the 90th minute and Igor Tudor stopping the comeback in dramatic fashion.
After Antonin Kinski’s nightmare in Spain, when goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario contrived to concede Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick in the first half, Spurs faced a seventh straight defeat in all competitions, and a fifth straight since Tudor took over.
However, Arne Slott’s side were unable to press into their advantage in the second half, with Richarlison converting four chances before finally leveling the score in the final moments of the 90th minute. This result means Spurs are one point above the drop zone. Liverpool are in fifth place, below Aston Villa.
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Spurs forward Richarlison scores home equalizer in the 90th minute against Liverpool
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Jamie Carragher has harsh words for Guglielmo Vicario as Dominik Szoboszlai leads Liverpool ahead
Tudor’s team puts on a fight
When Tottenham capitulated against Atletico Madrid in midweek, hopes were high for Tudor to make more time, but this was a spirited showing from a depleted side that few imagined would come up with anything at Anfield. The Spurs showed some fight.
Tottenham, without more than a dozen first-team players, had seen relegation rivals West Ham, Leeds and Nottingham Forest draw, leaving them outside the relegation zone on goal difference at kick-off. There was pressure, but they fought.
Next week’s home game against Forest remains crucial for their prospects of retaining their Premier League status, but for the first time in a while there is a bit of evidence that Spurs are prepared to scrap to stay in this game. Supporters will accept it now.
Tudor: Team spirit was great
Tottenham manager Igor Tudor told Sky Sports:
“We showed spirit, team spirit.
“It’s a really strange moment, but I told the players that it’s even harder to show who we are as players and as a team. It’s really hard to work on any kind of structure in attack at the moment, so we had to simplify it.”
“The spirit of the team was great. They were very sincere to give everything they had in this moment. This was the demand. And the quality is there as well.”
“Every point counts, every point counts. We take it game by game.”
What went wrong for Liverpool?
Szoboszlai’s free-kick goal, his fourth of the Premier League season, was a Liverpool record and Slot’s side were well placed to put an end to their losing confidence. Rio Ngmoha certainly looked on form in his first Premier League start, but Liverpool just couldn’t get it done.
Richarlison had warned them by scoring with his fifth shot of the game, more than any other player. Randall Kolo Muani set up the chance ahead of Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk, but it was also an abominable reflection of Liverpool’s defence.
They allowed their opponents to come back and paid the price, which was the hallmark of their title defense. Liverpool had lost their previous match against bottom club Wolves, but the match was played in front of their own fans, who booed at the final whistle.
Terrible for Liverpool, says Carragher.
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher said at Anfield:
“It was a terrible performance. I don’t mean to disrespect Tottenham, but they are the worst team in the Premier League right now, probably in the last few months. They are exactly the kind of team you want to play against. Playing at home, this weekend’s result will inspire them to perform like that. But it’s been that way all season.”
“And the big question on everyone’s lips is: Is it because of the coach or is it because of the composition of the team? Can a new coach fully reinvigorate these types of players and bring that energy and some of that intensity back to this team? I don’t know.”
“I think a lot of it goes back to what happened in the summer, the profile of the players that came in. There are too many players who just want to play when the ball is at their feet. They don’t want to dig in and make it difficult. So it’s very easy to play against this Liverpool team.”
