Liverpool’s players were crushed as the ball hit the net in the very final seconds of an epic encounter. Some flat on their back. Some down on their haunches. Matip with a look of despair as Alisson tried to find some words of comfort for the defender who had inadvertently diverted Pedro Porro’s last-gasp drilled cross into his own net.
The contrast with the celebrations around them couldn’t have been more stark. Porro tore away into the corner to celebrate with the delirious home fans. Another incredible win for Spurs to savour. The best one since the last home game against Sheffield United, when two injury-time goals grabbed the three points. Ange Postecoglou was serenaded at full-time. The new manager already adored for what he has done to this club.
For over 20 minutes Liverpool had held out against wave after wave of Tottenham attacks with just nine players, after Jota’s quickfire bookings had seen him follow Curtis Jones back to the dressing room.
Jones’ red card on 26 minutes was a major talking point in itself.
Going into a tackle with Yves Bissouma, Jones got in first but his foot rolled over the top of the ball and his studs planted into the Spurs man’s shin. It looked bad on the replays watched by Hooper, although his decision was criticised by the Sky Sports pundits.
“It looks worse than it actually is,” said Neville on co-commentary. “His foot slips, it is not a red.” Jamie Redknapp called it “extremely harsh”.
A fine Spurs move soon after Diaz had seen the flag go up when he broke through and found the net was finished by Heung-min Son (36) and rubbed salt in the wounds. Richarlison almost made it two, hitting the far post as Spurs tried to press home their advantage.
But Liverpool struck back deep
into first-half stoppage time, with Cody Gakpo spinning and shooting home an equaliser to set up an intriguing second half.
Two stunning fingertip saves from Alisson kept Spurs at bay early in that second period and when he was eventually beaten by Son the offside flag went up again.
In something of a 5-3-0 set-up, the Reds – the comeback kings this season – thought they’d pulled off their gutsiest display of the lot. But at the final moment it all went Spurs’ way. Liverpool were left in fourth, their unbeaten start gone and with the apology from the officials of little comfort.
