Harry Kane put Spurs ahead before Diogo Jota equalized for Liverpool and then, Andy Robertson gave the lead to the Reds before Son Heung-Min made it 2-2.
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Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the Premier League fixture in North London on Sunday. Harry Kane gave Spurs the lead with a clinical finish before Diogo Jota equalized after the half-hour-mark. It was an exhilarating opening half as both sides went full throttle and the second was no different. Andy Robertson put the visitors ahead and then Son Heung-min capitalized on Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker’s error to make it 2-2. Meanwhile late in the game, Robertson was sent off for a kick on Emerson.
A point apiece in #TOTLIV. pic.twitter.com/zRjjTX8yP8
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 19, 2021
Liverpool came into the match on the back of a six-game winning streak while Spurs were playing their first game in a fort night because of COVID-19 issues. The first chance of the match fell to Robertson from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross, but the left-back’s header went wide. Few minutes later, Arnold, who had scored a stunning goal against Newcastle in the last game, tested Hugo Lloris from 25 yards.
In the 13th minute, Kane gave the lead to Tottenham. Tanguy Ndombele played a precise through ball to release Kane on the right side of the penalty area, and the Englisman found the far bottom corner to score his first Premier League home goal of the season.
Few minutes later, Kane was once again allowed to breakaway and he set up Son in the middle, but the South Korean striker’s effort on the stretch went wide. Meanwhile, Spurs could have gone down to 10 men as Kane’s studs caught the ankle of Robertson , but the referee showed a yellow card and the VAR didn’t intervene. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was furious with the decision.
Naby Keita’s drive from outside the box forced a save from Lloris. Liverpool’s defence wasn’t having a great day as Spurs were consistently able to open them up. Just before the half-hour-mark, there was another breakaway move from Spurs. Son set up Dele Alli inside the box with a clever pass, but the English midfielder’s effort was brilliantly tipped behind by Alisson.
Liverpool got the equalizer against the run of play in the 35th minute. Robertson raced to the byline on the left of the box and crossed the ball for Jota to head home at the near post.
The game was becoming more exciting as it progressed. Sadio Mane’s cross from the left found Arnold at the far post, but the right-back’s controlled first-time volley was saved by Lloris’ knee. It was an electric 45 minutes and the second half was no different.
Kane’s close range header from a flicked-on corner went just over the bar. Meanwhile the Reds took the lead with 20 minutes to go. Mohamed Salah’s header from Jota’s cross was parried away by Lloris but the rebound fell to Arnold whose attempted shot was headed home by Robertson.
VAR had a look, and the ball did strike Salah’s arm, but it was deemed unintentional. However, Spurs leveled in the 74th minute courtesy of a goalkeeping error from Alisson. The Brazilian came racing off his line to clear a superb through ball from Harry Winks to Son, but he completely missed the ball and it fell kindly for the South Korean to roll into an empty net.
There was more drama to come as Robertson ploughed into Emerson. AlthoughTierney initially showed a yellow card, after seeing the replay, the Scottish defender was sent off.
Spurs boss Antonio Conte said after the match: “I haven’t seen the Robertson situation with Kane. I haven’t seen the possibility of a penalty. My staff said to me that the second goal was a clear handball. And I think it’s not right to comment on the refereeing decisions after the game. I don’t know if Jurgen wanted to comment on this, but I can tell you that my staff said to me it was incredible to give it, and not disallow it, because there was a clear handball from Salah.
“But the game was an exciting game, there were great emotions from the people. I don’t like that we have to speak about the refereeing decisions at the end.”
Klopp said after the match: “There were obviously many other things that were influential in this game, but some of these questions are better to ask Mr Tierney.”
Asked if Kane’s punishment should have been stronger: “Definitely, stronger. We can give Robbo a red card, it’s not the smartest challenge of his life. But that’s definitely a red card, no doubt about it. So we have a VAR sitting there, and he has a look again at the Robbo situation. Fine, that’s what he’s there for. What did he do in the Kane situation?
