Tottenham Hotspur dealt a significant blow to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool of their quest for the Premier League title as they held them to a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday evening. Heung Min-Son opened the scoring early within the second half whereas Luis Diaz obtained the equaliser late on to avoid wasting a degree for the Reds.
🤝 Honours even 🤝#LIVTOT pic.twitter.com/DoPqK8cNrD
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 7, 2022
Liverpool got here into the match chasing Manchester Metropolis and their begin confirmed that they meant enterprise. Their depth within the opening 10 minutes blew away the guests who seemed like deer caught within the headlights, unable to get out of the inevitable Liverpool truck heading their method.
Luis Diaz and Andy Robertson had been significantly fast off the blocks and created harmful openings however Spurs saved getting a foot in right here and there to disrupt their assaults. Antonio Conte’s males did look harmful at instances on the counter-attack with Harry Kane, Heung Min-Son and Dejan Kulusevski. One such counter introduced the sport’s first shot on the right track kind Rodrigo Bentancur, which was straight at Alisson.
Jordan Henderson did very properly to dam a Kane shot on the volley whereas Virgil van Dijk ought to have executed higher on the different, heading broad from Robertson supply. It wasn’t till the twenty eighth minute that Hugo Lloris was examined, albeit by his personal teammate. The Frenchman did properly to tip away Ryan Sessegnon’s poor header with Mo Salah lurking on the again publish.
The sport had a little bit of a lull earlier than sparking again into life within the last couple of minutes. Van Dijk once more confirmed his power from set-pieces and was discovered free by Trent Alexander-Arnold from one other nook. His try this time was a lot better however he was unable to recover from it sufficient and noticed it come again off the crossbar.
Diaz then examined Lloris from vary after a neat one-two with Sadio Mane. His curling shot was properly parried away from hazard by the Spurs captain. A minute later Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg let go from 25 yards as properly. The Dane beat Alisson within the Liverpool purpose however his shot hit the appropriate publish as an alternative.
HALF-TIME Liverpool 0-0 Spurs
An excellent contest, however we await the breakthrough…#LIVTOT pic.twitter.com/NFir7zfznX
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 7, 2022
It was a frenetic first half that maybe deserved a purpose however each side went into the break with issues to enhance upon. The Reds got here again with the identical vigour and put Spurs on the again foot instantly. Thiago continued to drag the strings however Tottenham’s defending within the field remained stable.
10 minutes into the half although it was Spurs who took the lead with a really well-worked purpose. Emerson’s excessive ball was introduced down brilliantly by Kane who made his method ahead earlier than discovering Ryan Sessegnon free within the field. The teen did brilliantly to take care of his composure and sq. the ball to Son to faucet in.
1-0. Let’s maintain working. ✊ pic.twitter.com/W7HS9H8Kny
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 7, 2022
The purpose gave Spurs the impetus and areas opened up for them as Liverpool chased the sport, and the title with it. Sessegnon and Son mixed once more dangerously however had been unable to transform and Kulusevski shot straight at Alisson from distance quickly after the purpose.
Liverpool grew to become more and more determined for the purpose that simply wouldn’t come and the sport obtained a bit cagey. Substitute Kostas Tsimikas and Sessegnon obtained a yellow card every in fast succession.
The house facet seemed like they would want a little bit of luck and it got here within the type of a deflection that gave them the equaliser. Midweek hero Diaz as soon as once more was the game-changer, dropping a shoulder to create house for himself and taking pictures from vary. His try hit Bentancur and flew into the again of the web with Lloris wrong-footed.
LUUUUIIIIIIIISSSSSSS!!!!!!!! GET IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/CTHVAtbSI6
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 7, 2022
Neither facet wished to accept a draw and the sport was end-to-end within the last couple of minutes. Clear reduce probabilities had been nonetheless few and much between and it was Hojbjerg who had the very best alternative to get the winner in damage time when the midfielder was discovered within the field by a deep cross from Harry Winks. He tried to go it throughout to Kane when going for purpose would have been a greater alternative.
Liverpool piled on ultimately however to no avail and will solely rescue a degree. Listed below are our key takeaways from the match –
Diazzling Efficiency
The winter signing of Luis Diaz was anticipated to be a long-term transfer, a part of the eventual alternative of the Salah-Firmino-Mane trifecta. Nonetheless, it has proved to be one other masterstroke from Liverpool’s recruitment staff with the Colombian becoming in seamlessly into Klopp’s machine.
He was the distinction in Villarreal within the second-leg of the Champions League semifinal and was as soon as once more the very best participant for Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday. Diaz’s directness and confidence make him a really troublesome buyer and underneath Klopp, he’s residing as much as the potential he confirmed in Portugal.
Respect!
When Antonio Conte took over at Tottenham, they had been properly off high 4 and the season was trying like a write-off. The Italian although has managed to show it round with experience, and the Lilywhites are only one level away from Champions League qualification.
Greater than the factors, it’s their stage of efficiency which has enthused Spurs followers. They may have been conservative however they went toe-to-toe with Liverpool and put in a shift to be happy with. Even when they don’t get high 4 this season, they are going to be a pressure to reckon with in 2022-23.
Benefit Metropolis
Liverpool did go high with the draw on purpose distinction however Manchester Metropolis have a recreation in hand once they play Newcastle tomorrow. Metropolis’s Champions League exit additionally implies that they will dedicate all of their efforts and assets into the Premier League marketing campaign.
Liverpool’s title hopes took a significant dent however stranger issues have occurred. It’s unlikely that they’ll take their foot off the pedal however with two main cup finals looming and Metropolis ruthless as ever, it feels just like the quadruple dream may simply be over for this season.
