Liverpool 2, Tottenham 1 - Match Recap: Si Señor! The Reds Go 3 Points Clear!
VAR decisions be damned, Liverpool send Spurs back to London empty-handed.
Liverpool 2 - 1 Tottenham
Reds: Salah 26’, Firmino 90’
Spurs: Son 33’
Pre-Match
Kloppo goes as strong as can be expected. Rhys Williams comes on at center back. No one is asking him to be Big Virg tonight, but a solid Joel Matip impression wouldn’t be disappointing from the youngster. The front three will have a lot of work to do to break down a typically stingy Jose Mourinho defense. But if they can get their noses in front and hold on for the win, it would be a massive result in the title race.
First Half
Liverpool get off to a fast start, winning a corner in the opening 30 seconds. However, Mou’s Bus Parkers quickly slow down the pace, and the home side also seems content to keep the ball and be patient early.
Gini Wijnaldum literally has to have his boot kicked off of him before Anthony Taylor agrees to give a free kick. Don’t be expecting any favors tonight.
Roberto Firmino creates the first chance of the night after getting free in the box on a free kick. His header was destined for the far corner, but Lloris was able to smoother the effort.
So, a VAR controversy, if not the VAR controversy from tonight’s game will be over Eric Dier’s apparent hand ball inside the box. The Spurs’ defender went from bear hugging Salah in the box to handling it. Was it reviewed? It. Was. Not.
GOAL! Liverpool have played some good stuff that is fully deserving of a goal so far. But that shot? Not one of them. Curtis Jones dribbled into the box before getting crowded out. However, the ball fell to Salah, whose low shot was deflected, cruelly wrong-footing Lloris and floating into the top corner. 1-0 to the Scousers!
Goal. Son looked for all the world like he was offside on Tottenham’s first real attack of the night. Unfortunately it’s Williams who kept Son “onside.” You keep doing you, VAR.
That goal was an absolute sucker punch after a dominant opening half an hour for the Reds. It has been a good response from the hosts; Liverpool have been straight back on the front foot since the equalizer. There’s definitely more goals out there for Liverpool, if they can stay patient.
Meanwhile, Sadio has been fouled approximately 743 times this half, and not a one of them has been called.
Second Half
Yikes, almost a disastrous start to the second half! Williams misjudges a header, and Spurs are able to get straight in. Thankfully the ensuing shot is wide of the target.
After fifteen minutes of not much happening, Spurs create another two massive chances in quick succession. First Bergwijn is played through on goal and hits the post. Then Kane gets a free header on a corner, but puts it just wide. The hosts continue to dominate possession, but Tottenham are quick to pounce on the smallest lapse of concentration.
Now it’s Mané’s turn to rattle the cross bar! Jones plays him in, he does brilliant to turn his marker, and then absolutely unleashes hell with his left boot. Unfortunately, it hits the wrong side of the bar.
With 10 minutes to play, Tottenham have the bus fully parked deep in Liverpool territory. Both teams look dead on their feet, but Liverpool are showing the attacking initiative.
Fabinho channels his inner Lucas Leiva, giving away a dangerous and unnecessary free kick with minutes to play. Thankfully, the weak shot is directly down Alisson’s throat.
GOAL!! THERE’S SOMETHING THAT THE KOP WANTS YOU TO KNOW!!! BOBBY FIRMINO JUST SCORED A LAST MINUTE WINNER WITH A BULLET HEADER FROM A CORNER!!!
Final Thoughts
It looked like it was going to be “one of those nights” again, but Liverpool never gave up and never stopped attacking. It paid off in the end, and in style! Up the heartbreaking, table-topping Reds!
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
Post a Comment