Neither team could afford to lose this match at Anfield. Liverpool needed the win to take charge of the Premier League title race, whilst Tottenham needed a win to stop a slump that has put their top four credentials at risk.
Tottenham were the better team over the 90 minutes but it was a Toby Alderweireld own goal that ultimately sunk Spurs as they dropped more points.
Own Goal From Toby Alderweireld Sinks Unlucky Tottenham
Toby Alderweireld was possibly Spurs best player on the day but it was his unfortunate own goal that sank his team at Anfield. Liverpool had taken the lead after Hugo Lloris had needlessly given the ball away, not for the first time in his career, and Roberto Firmino headed home from an Andrew Robertson cross. Kieran Trippier was out of position and Firminho was gifted the freedom of Anfield to score. It was Tottenham who then dominated the match yet came away with nothing.
Hugo Lloris’ Brilliance Marred by Basic Errors
Hugo Lloris is a brilliant goalkeeper. A World Cup winner. Yet when his career is over he will be remembered for some awful mistakes as much as he will his brilliant saves. Lloris is always nervous when he has the ball at his feet. Under no pressure he passed straight to a red shirt leading to Liverpool’s first goal.
Although it was Alderweireld who scored the own goal, he wasn’t helped one iota by his keeper. Mohammed Salah rose and headed the ball down but it wasn’t a powerful header and all Lloris had to do was catch the ball. Instead, he pushed against his defender and handed Liverpool three points. Three points that the home team barely deserved.
Liverpool Have Title in Their Own Hands
Whilst Liverpool were not at their best at Anfield, three points means that the Premier League title is theirs to lose. As long as they better Manchester City’s results between now and the end of the season they will win the title. And in a twist of irony, it may be Tottenham Hotspur that they rely on to help them win that title. When Manchester City host Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium on 20th April, Liverpool will hope Tottenham play as they did today in the second half and just be more clinical. If Spurs had been today they would have come away with a comfortable three points.
New Stadium Hopes
Tottenham return ‘home’ on Wednesday as they play Crystal Palace in the first league game at their impressive new stadium. The atmosphere might just be what Mauricio Pochettino’s men need to secure their place in the top four. They have dropped too many points recently and they must halt this slump. Tottenham can still win the Champions League but to rely on that would be reckless. Whilst the new White Hart Lane is doubtless impressive, the lack of investment in the playing squad is looking to be a naive decision.
Conclusions
For Liverpool, this result means the title is theirs to lose but they have been here before and slipped up.
For Tottenham, it wasn’t a bad performance but they have to get a grip. The new White Hart Lane will not be full for Thursday night matches in the Europa League. They have a huge stadium but with it a massive debt. And missing out on Champions League football would be a devastating blow. Tottenham cannot continue to ignore the need for investment in the team. To do so will be a huge mistake.
Liverpool signalled their intentions in the summer to build a team capable of winning the League. Tottenham have a new stadium, ready at last but look to be slipping away from being a team capable of winning the league. Or even challenging for it. At some point, the Spurs hierarchy must decide whether they truly do want to chase glory.
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