Liverpool 1-1 Tottenham
by James Nalton
at Anfield

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR derailed Liverpool’s title challenge, at least temporarily, on Saturday evening, holding them to a draw at Anfield.

Liverpool knocked repeatedly on Spurs’ door but weren’t allowed in. Even when they tried to force it down, their only goal came from a deflected Luis Diaz effort from distance after Son Heung Min had given the visitors the lead.

Despite attacking the Kop end in the second half, Jurgen Klopp’s side failed to produce an all-important winner.

Colombian winger Luis Diaz was electric. Having slotted into a Liverpool forward line that looked impossible to break into, he’s now the standout player.

Mohamed Salah failed to produce the goals he had spoken of in recent interviews, while much of Sadio Mane’s work is now done in the build-up, playing Roberto Firmino’s role in the Brazilian’s absence through injury.

Klopp turned to Diogo Jota and Naby Keita rather than Divock Origi, the Belgian centre-forward who has been the hero for Liverpool on so many occasions, and it left them without a presence in the box.

Spurs’ defending was so good, though, that perhaps even Origi would have struggled to nick a goal.

Antonio Conte’s side took the lead in the second half through Son. It was how both managers would have envisioned a Tottenham goal arriving were one to arrive — a rapid counter finished by one of their two star forwards, Son or Harry Kane.

Kane played his part in the goal, turning a hopeful hoof into a dangerous counter-attack with a moment of expert control, while the dynamism of Son plus wingbacks Emerson Royal and Ryan Sessegnon posed a constant threat on the break.

Spurs boss Antonio Conte commented on the squad Liverpool have built.

“They created their foundation with Jurgen, they did a fantastic job,” he said.

“In seven years they won a lot, he created a monster, in a good way! In an amazing way!

“To do this you need the time and patience and a lot of things because you have to go step by step.

“It’s impossible to imagine next season we are going to win the title because I am realistic.”

Since arriving in January Liverpool’s goalscorer Diaz has become a key part of this latest incarnation of Klopp’s “monster” team — one that have already won one trophy his season and are still in the running for the other three.

Though the Premier League looks more unlikely now. “I would love to sit here and say: yes, City will drop points,” said Klopp.

“The only problem is I can’t see it. I wish I could think differently about it, it’s just I can’t see it. But we will see what happens.”