Liverpool FC’s title hopes were shattered by a 1-1 draw against Tottenham on Saturday evening, despite Luis Diaz’s heroics.
Following a spirited but goalless first half, Son Heung-min gave Spurs the lead in the 56th minute, before Diaz drew the Reds equal with a long-range shot that took a nasty deflection off Rodrigo Bentancur and left Hugo Lloris stranded. Liverpool dominated possession and created the majority of the chances, but they were unable to break through their tenacious opponents, who defended in force.
The outcome might be disastrous for Jurgen Klopp’s side’s title hopes, as it puts them just on goal difference at the top of the Premier League table, leaving them three points behind Manchester City if they beat Newcastle on Sunday. Tottenham, however, earned a crucial point in their push for a top-four finish.
Perhaps the Quadruple was always an improbable fantasy. Perhaps others imposed this ridiculous goal on the Liverpool team all along. But, as the game slid away from Liverpool at Anfield last night, Jurgen Klopp’s team came back with every ounce of energy, every minute of wrath, and every ounce of resistance they could manage.
Liverpool drew level through Luis Diaz after falling behind to a superb Son Heung-min counter-attacking goal from Tottenham Hotspur. They then put all they had at their visitors in pursuit of the winner. Spurs would not give, as time ran out as Liverpool fans implored, begged, and prayed for the winner. Manchester City is one step closer to winning the Premier League after nursing their wounds in Madrid.
Liverpool returned to the top of the standings after a 1-1 draw with Antonio Conte’s side, but only on goal difference. City will be three points clear with three games to play if they can recover from the shock of that devastating Champions League defeat at the Bernabeu and beat a resurgent Newcastle United at the Etihad this afternoon.
‘It’s a crucial point because it’s one point more than previously,’ Klopp said of the win over Spurs. He admitted he couldn’t imagine City dropping points, but he couldn’t comprehend the euphoria surrounding the draw. ‘It’s the first small stone thrown at us,’ he explained. ‘In every game, we will not stop fighting.’
This was simply too much for Liverpool, who lacked energy and creativity against a well-drilled, astute Spurs side, for whom a point was a boost in their struggle with Arsenal for a Champions League spot. That battle might be determined on Thursday in the North London derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Spurs will be confident going into it.
Liverpool gave everything they had – and we’ll have to wait and see how badly City has been harmed by events in Spain – but this was the first time either of the two clubs in the title race has blinked. Win had come after win, It was relentless, but Liverpool faced an opponent in Spurs who would not yield and would not be intimidated.
On Tuesday, Liverpool travels to Aston Villa, Southampton, and Wolves. They must win all of them while hoping City loses one of their games against Newcastle, Wolves, West Ham, and Aston Villa. City lost in Madrid, but will they win in Manchester on Sunday, or against Steven Gerrard’s Villa, or at The London Stadium? Pep Guardiola and his team were in dire need of a boost, and this win may have provided it.
