Super Sunday fixture saw Liverpool have played an eventful 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspurs in North London. The draw means Liverpool dropped crucial two points for the title race.
The Reds went into the game without some key first-team Reds players as the Covid19 outbreak and injuries affected Klopp’s squad.
However, as the game started with both teams starting with intensity but it was Antonio Conte’s men who broke the deadlock. Spurs captain Harry Kane scored the opener in the 13th minute.
But The Reds responded well as Liverpool got into the game with Diogo Jota’s precise goal. Another headed goal for Portugal International who is very good in the air.
With both sides, all square in the opening 45 minutes, after the break both teams played with the same intensity. But Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson got the lead after he heads from close range to make it 2-1 for Liverpool.
Unfortunately, Liverpool’s lead and celebration were cut short after Red’s goalie Alisson’s mistake led to Heung Min Son scoring and making it all square.
And to make things worse, Liverpool reduced to 10 men on the pitch, after the referee showed Robertson a red card after he lunges into Emerson with a reckless challenge.
Spurs pressed well in the final 10 minutes but were unable to conjure a winner. It was a fiercely competitive game with lots of drama and finished at 2-2.
A big occasion for the Premier League before Christmas as two of the big six met.
But the game has been officiated very poorly. Referee Paul Tierney had a very poor game as his decision-making surely has to be questioned regarding Harry Kane’s tackle on Scotsman Robertson.
The challenge was indeed a red card offense but was merely shown a yellow card. And later Liverpool were denied a clear penalty.
Key Numbers
Tottenham have just registered one single win in their last 18 Premier League games against Liverpool. And during this run, it was the fourth time they’ve gone ahead in a game.
Liverpool registered their fastest ever 50 goals in a top-flight season. The Reds scored the half-century of goals in just 18 matches.
The Reds have registered goals in each of their last 28 away games in all competitions. Previously, only Top-Flight team Wolves have registered in 29 consecutively between December 1958 and January 1960.
Tottenham Hotspurs vs Liverpool: Post match reactions
Klopp reacts to the game and the key decisions
“So let’s start with the result maybe. The result is fine, would’ve been different, I think, with different decisions from the ref. But with the decisions, how he did it, I’m fine with the result. It’s a 2-2 at Tottenham – that’s absolutely OK. It was a difficult game for us for plenty of reasons.
The challenge was today we play against Tottenham, who set up a 5-3-2 and when they won the ball deep in their own half, they just kicked it as far as possible and Kane and Son were on their bikes for it, so we struggled with these moments slightly.
So let’s start with Robbo. We saw it now back and, yes, you can give a red card there. It’s not the harshest ever but it’s not the smartest as well. He knows that and he’s a really good boy but he lost it a little bit, so this red card you can give.
But this is the proof that the VAR was there today because before that we thought he might not be in his office, because the two other situations I think we all agree now that Harry Kane should have seen a red card and he didn’t. And the penalty situation, Mr Tierney told me that he thought Diogo Jota stopped on purpose, he wanted to get hit.”
When asked about Kane’s tackle on Robertson in the first half
“Really you have to not ask me, you have to ask the VAR. That’s a clear, absolutely 100 per cent red card.”
Klopp reaction on whether it’s difficult to prepare for games with the current situation
“Hendo has a cold. He’s the only one with proper symptoms but he has only a cold and we had to send him home. It is not easy.
As we always were, we were in contact with the Premier League, we tell them about our cases and the stuff that happens. In the first instance we had three cases and then two days later Thiago was positive.
Usually you prepare for a game and you have an idea who played last week and stuff like this, but we had absolutely no idea – and we saw the line-up and apart from Hojbjerg, it was pretty much the first line-up and they looked already fresh.
We were just better in the first half, or we were more dominant – I’m not sure of the numbers, but 70/30 per cent possession at Tottenham is nearly ridiculous, to be honest.
There was no open game, it was just counter-attacking, so that’s all tough. So, yes, the situation is not easy but we play football as long as people tell us to.”
Klopp’s reaction on whether a break for the Premier League would be beneficial due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases
“I don’t know. If someone tells me that’s the solution, I’m in, 100 per cent.”
What’s next for Liverpool?
Liverpool are in the EFL Cup action next. Klopp’s men are up against Brendan Rogers’ Leicester City in midweek at Anfield.
