Tottenham and Liverpool played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday evening in the Premier League. Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son, Diogo Jota and Andrew Robertson all found the back of the net here in what was one of the most entertaining matches of the season.
Team News: COVID Casualties
The big absentee in this clash was the news that Virgil Van Dijk would miss out for Liverpool once again here due to recently testing positive for COVID-19. The Dutchman also missed the fixture midweek where Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners at home to Newcastle. Thiago and Fabinho were also missing for Jurgen Klopp’s side as they had recently tested positive for COVID-19 as well. Jordan Henderson was another casualty here as, despite testing negative, the midfielder was still ruled out due to illness.
It was Tottenham’s first fixture since their 3-0 home victory against Norwich at the beginning of December as they dealt with postponements due to players missing because of COVID-19. They made their return at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after missing their last three games.
Action-Packed First Half
It was an open and end-to-end game from the off here with chances for both sides. It wasn’t long into the match when Kane was able to give Antonio Conte’s side the lead. Harry Winks did well to win the ball back for Spurs with an excellent sliding challenge on Naby Keita. Tanguy Ndombele picked the ball up in midfield and played a fantastic through ball into Harry Kane. Kane made no mistake with the finish and slotted the ball into the bottom far corner to take the lead.
Spurs hit again shortly after when they broke on the counter-attack, this time Kane leading the charge up the field. He ran the ball well down the right flank before clipping a ball into the box for Son. However, the South Korean was unable to get clean contact on the ball as it went past the post.
Liverpool looked shaky at the back as Tottenham hit them excellently on the break. The Reds felt the absence of their captain Van Dijk. It was a highly entertaining end-to-end encounter as both sides looked for goals in the opening 20 minutes.
Spurs utilised their counter-attacking abilities once again as Son burst through the Liverpool defense from a long ball from deep. He found Dele Alli who was left in plenty of space but Alisson was there to make a fine save.
However, Liverpool equalised in the 35th minute as Jota scored his tenth league goal of the season. Robertson continued his influential play and was able to get on the ball following a Spurs clearance. The left-back drove into the box and played a beautifully clipped ball into Jota who converted past Lloris with a well-placed header.
It was an action-packed first half display at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Alexander-Arnold had a great chance to put Liverpool in front. He got on the end of a cross at the back post and timed his shot excellently. However, Lloris was there to make the save.
Liverpool started to take more control of the match as the first forty five came to an end with chances on the counter dwindling for Tottenham. The Reds started to pile on the pressure as they got back into the match and looked to take the lead.
Drama Continues
Tottenham looked bright after the break and had another great opportunity around 10 minutes into the second half as Eric Dier played a brilliant ball in behind the Liverpool defense for Alli. Alli squared to the ball to Kane but Alisson was there once again to smother the ball and deny the England captain. Kane also came close shortly after but his header from a corner went just over the bar.
However, Spurs were made to rue their missed chances as Robertson put Liverpool 2-1 in front with just over 20 minutes remaining. The Scotsman linked-up well with Jota down the left flank as Liverpool created danger in the box. Salah nearly converted for the Reds but Lloris did well to clear. The ball fell to Alexander-Arnold, who played a good ball into the box, as Robertson was able to head the ball into the back of the net.
Son equalised for Spurs as the match once again took a turn, capitalising on a mistake by Alisson. The Spurs forward had made an excellent run in behind again which seemingly was going to be cleared up by Alisson. However, the Liverpool ‘keeper missed his clearance which allowed Son an open goal to convert for an easy finish.
Just a few minutes after the goal, even more drama unfolded as Robertson was dismissed for an aggressive challenge on Emerson. Paul Tierney originally gave him a yellow card but upon a VAR review, Robertson was shown a straight red card.
It was an enthralling match here which saw both sides provide plenty of entertainment. It was a truly brilliant match from start to finish in the last Premier League fixture before Christmas.
What’s Next for Tottenham and Liverpool?
Both sides feature midweek in the Quarter-Finals of the Carabao Cup as Tottenham host West Ham and Liverpool welcome Leicester City to Anfield.
Tottenham will also play host to Crystal Palace in their next Premier League fixture, while Liverpool face Leeds at home, with both fixtures set to be played on Boxing Day.
MATCH SCORECARD
December 19, 2021 – Premier League 2021-22 Round 18
TOTTENHAM – LIVERPOOL 2-2
SCORERS: 13′ Kane (T), 35′ Diogo Jota (L), 70′ Robertson (L), 74′ Son Heung-min (T)
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TOTTENHAM (3-4-2-1): Lloris; Sanchez, Dier, Davies; Emerson, Ndombele (64′ Skipp), Winks, Sessegnon (86′ Reguilon); Alli (81′ Lucas Moura), Son Heung-min; Kane (Austin, Doherty, Rodon, Tanganga, Lo Celso, Bergwijn) Coach: Conte |
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LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Konate, Robertson; Milner, Morton (60′ Roberto Firmino), Keita; Salah, Diogo Jota (90+2′ Gomez), Mane (82′ Tsimikas) (Kelleher, Williams, Quansah, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino, Gordon) Coach: Klopp |
REFEREE: Mr. Tierney
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Kane, Emerson, Winks, Davies (T), Morton, Klopp (not on pitch), Keita, Konate, Tsimikas (L); Red Cards: Robertson (L); Added Time: 1st Half 3′, 2nd Half 6′