Liverpool lose ground on City after thrilling draw at Spurs

Liverpool and Tottenham served up one of the most electrifying Premier League games in recent years in a 2-2 draw which sees Jurgen Klopp’s side drop three points behind leaders Manchester City.

On a weekend where Covid postponements decimated the Premier League programme, fans were treated to a thriller in north London, an exhilarating contest that resembled a basketball game as both sides went full throttle.

Harry Kane gave Spurs the lead with a clinical finish from Tanguy Ndombele’s excellent through ball (13), one of many clear-cut openings for the hosts in an end-to-end first hour where both Heung-Min Son and Dele Alli missed big openings.

Liverpool’s defence may have looked suspect, but their attack was as blistering as ever, with Diogo Jota levelling with an outstanding header via Andrew Robertson’s cross (35), and few could have complained if the score had been 4-4 at the break as the visitors too spurned big chances.

As well as goalmouth action there was controversy; Liverpool felt Kane should have been sent off for a studs-up challenge on Robertson, but he only saw yellow, while the visitors also wanted a penalty for Emerson Royal’s nudge on Jota at 1-1. Jurgen Klopp was eventually booked for his protestations.

The drama did not stop in the second half – Kane fluffed two major chances in the first 10 minutes – before Liverpool took a controversial lead through Robertson’s header (70), with Spurs claiming Mo Salah handballed in the build-up. Spurs did not cower, however, and levelled instantly though Son, who rolled into an empty net after Alisson has inexplicably let a through ball between his legs (74).

The energy then boiled over as Robertson kicked through Emerson near the touchline, at first seeing a yellow that was then upgraded to a red after VAR asked referee Paul Tierney to consult the pitchside monitor (77).

The result, paired with Man City’s 4-0 win at Newcastle, means Liverpool are three points off the leaders as we approach the halfway stage, while Spurs sit seventh, six points off fourth-placed Arsenal but with three games in hand.

Full report to follow

What’s next?

Tottenham host West Ham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals at 7.45pm on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports Football. Spurs return to Premier League action at home to Crystal Palace on Boxing Day; kick-off 3pm.

Liverpool host Leicester in the Carabao Cup last eight on Wednesday at 7.45pm before hosting Leeds in the Premier League at 12.30pm on Boxing Day.