Advertisement
Jonathan Brady
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Liverpool v Tottenham, Premier League

Title chasing Spurs could only manage a draw at Anfield in a thoroughly enjoyable game.

Mauricio Pochettino’s in-form Tottenham, who are hot on the heels of Leicester City in the Premier League title race, have the opportunity to close the gap at the top to two points this evening against mid-table Liverpool.

Leicester don’t play until tomorrow, giving Spurs the opportunity to pile the pressure on Claudio Ranieri’s side before they take on Southampton.

But Jurgen Klopp and his team will give Tottenham’s title credentials a stern examination in Anfield.

It’s a difficult one to call and kick off is 5.30pm.

The teams are in. Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Danny Rose all start for Spurs after their fine displays for England over the international break, but Eric Lamela misses out due to a hamstring injury.

For the hosts, a hamstring complaint also rules out Roberto Firmino, while James Milner starts.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno, Henderson, Can, Milner, Coutinho, Lallana, Sturridge.

Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Rose,
Dier, Dembele, Son, Eriksen, Alli, Kane.

Here’s a check on the top-half of the league before this one kicks off.

CfDLMzDWAAAK_Of

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp spoke with Sky Sports a few minutes ago:

“We score not enough goals, we concede a little bit too much goals, but we became a little bit more stable … until the 47th minute against Southampton,” he said.

“The training with the players who were not on international break was great and most of the players who came back only played one game apart from Adam Lallana, so we are back, we are recharged and we are ready.”

Jurgen Klopp File Photo Adam Davy Adam Davy

KICK-OFF – And we’re off!

Daniel Sturridge starts a home league game for the first time under Klopp.

Harry Kane makes his 60th league start in-a-row for Spurs.

Adam Lallana puts a decent cross into the danger zone in Tottenham’s penalty area, but there is no-one in a red shirt there to capitalize on it.

CHANCE! Christian Eriksen has a powerful strike saved by Simon Mignolet as Spurs fire an early warning sign.

Lallana gets free down the right again and pulls back a ball intended for Coutinho, but it’s put out for a corner.

CHANCE! Liverpool have had two good chances within seconds of one another. Milner had a shot on goal blocked before the ball fell to Coutinho for a strike on goal. Decent save by Lloris.

Dangerous defending by Liverpool. A mix-up between Lovren and Mignolet nearly costs them when Kane blocks the keeper’s attempted clearance. It sails over the crossbar.

SAVE! Son almost diverts Moreno’s cross into his own net. Fortunately for Spurs, Lloris makes an excellent save at his right-hand post.

BOOKING! Coutinho get a yellow for a terrible dive midway into the Tottenham half. He throws himself into the air and is booked for simulation.

PENALTY SHOUT! James Milner goes down under a challenge from Kyle Walker but the referee points for a goal kick, but many in the ground thought he’d awarded a spot-kick.

Correct decision. Walker clearly connected with the ball first.

CHANCE! Sturridge made a perfectly timed run in behind the Spurs defence but Lloris saved well.

CHANCE! Liverpool are incredibly unlucky not to be in front. Adam Lallana mis-hits a volley at goal but Lloris again keeps it out.

Half-time: Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur - Barclays Premier League - Anfield PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

We’re back underway for the second-half. A massive 45 minutes lie ahead for Tottenham.

Tottenham’s full-backs are pushing forward in the early stages of the second-half.

GOAL! Coutinho with a magnificent finish. Excellent build-up by Liverpool.

Coutinho’s goal could be a pivotal one in the title-race. Claudio Ranieri and Leceister will be hoping Liverpool can keep this energetic display up.

CHANCE! Sturridge heads a cross over Lloris’ crossbar.

GOAL! Harry Kane makes it 1-1 with a wonderful turn and finish. This man is the real deal.

SUBSTITUTION - Origi is on for Sturridge

Just over 15 minutes left to play at Anfield. It has been an excellent encounter so far.

Mousa Dembele and Jordan Henderson battle it out for possession near the corner flag. The Tottenham midfielder outmuscles Henderson and sees it out for a goal-kick.

Things are starting to get tense.

Origi uses his pace to drive down the flank, but Dier puts it out for a corner.

SUBSTITUTION: Joe Allen comes on for Adam Lallana.

Liverpool are finding a second wind as the game approaches the 85th minute. Henderson fizzes one over the Spurs crossbar.

CHANCE! Coutinho puts a shot just wides of Lloris’ right-hand post. He wasn’t far away there.

Three minutes to play…

Liverpool look like they’ll finish the stronger.

SUBSTITUTION: Ryan Mason replaces Alli in the Spurs engine room.

Eriksen’s free-kick goes wide.

Kane wins a free-kick about 35 yards out from the Liverpool goal. Big chance for Spurs. It would take something special to beat Mignolet from here though.

The additional time board goes up and it’s… THREE minutes to play.

CHANCE! Mignolet does well to push Kane’s strike around the post and out for a corner. Spurs are desperate for a winning goal.

CHANCE! Alderweireld pops up at the near post but his header is off the target.

The ball is cleared for another corner…

Walker wins a corner off Henderson. Time for one more chance…

Full-time: Liverpool 1-1 Tottenham

Cracking game at Anfield. Pochettino needs a favour from his old club Southampton tomorrow. Neither team deserved to lose this one.

Bump in Shay Given’s road to Euro 2016 as he sits on Stoke bench

Villa fans protest against their owner as Pato makes impressive Chelsea debut

Your Voice
Readers Comments
17
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.