Liverpool kept their title hopes alive as they went top of the Premier League with a dramatic late victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday
Jurgen Kopp's side needed to win to leapfrog Manchester City at the top of the table, while Spurs wanted to pull away from Arsenal and Manchester United beneath them.
Roberto Firmino put the home side ahead with a well-worked goal just after the quarter-hour, and Spurs looked like a team out of form - they had won just one of their previous five league games - though they slowly grew into the first half.
Roberto Firmino of Liverpool celebrates after scoring their 1st goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on March 31, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
In the second half, Spurs started brightly but Alisson was on hand to stop Harry Kane’s low drive at goal with their best chance of the game so far.
With 20 minutes of normal time remaining, Lucas Moura swept in an equaliser after a rapid Spurs counter, sending Liverpool’s title challenge off track briefly, Mo Salah intervened.
Reaching a cross at the back post, he headed at goal, Hugo Lloris pushed away the ball when he should have caught, and the loose ball rebounded off the unfortunate Toby Alderewireld and into the net, sparking wild scenes of celebration.
Jurgen Klopp manager / head coach of Liverpool celebrates at full time during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on March 31, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
The win leaves Liverpool two points clear of City having played a game more than the current champions, and Spurs are in danger of losing their top four place as Manchester United and Arsenal lurk.
TALKING POINT
Liverpool needed Salah back on form. He was a shadow of his best self again, as he struggles in front of goal. While Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane continue to threaten, they will need their best player back to make the difference in the title race. His intervention with the game about to drift to a depressing conclusion for his team could spark him back into life.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur scores an own goal to make it 2-1during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on March 31, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH
Roberto Firmino (Liverpool): While Salah struggles, it has fallen to Firmino to provide the goal threat along with Mane. In this game, he continually probed when given the chance, but Liverpool can be proud of a team performance when they did not let their sprits drop.
Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on January 31, 2019.
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Liverpool: Alisson 6, Alexander-Arnold 7, Matip 6, Van Dijk 7, Robertson 7, Henderson 6, Wijnaldum 6, Milner 6, Mane 7, Salah 6, Firmino 7. Subs: Fabinho 6, Lovren 6, Origi 6.
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris 5, Trippier 6, Alderweireld 6, Sanchez 6, Vertonghen 6, Rose 6, Sissoko 5, Eriksen 6, Dele 5, Lucas 7, Kane 6. Subs: Davies 6, Son 7, Llorente 6.
KEY EVENTS
16’ - GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Spurs. Firmino scores - Liverpool sweep the ball out to the left for Robertson in space, who curls in a cross for Firmino, between markers, and he nods into the ground and past Lloris.
28’ - ALEXANDER-ARNOLD CORNER - Alexander-Arnold almost scores from the corner. He curls in an effort that pings off the near post with Lloris panicking.
33’ - ALLI VOLLEY - Alli advances on goal, swaps two short passes with Eriksen, and fires in a half volley just over the crossbar.
70’ - GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Spurs. Moura scores - Spurs take a quick free kick for Trippier on the overlap on the right wing, it's worked to Eriksen who scuffs his effort, and Moura is on hand to drive home for the equaliser.
Lucas Moura of Spurs celebrates after scoring their 1st goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on March 31, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom
Image credit: Getty Images
82’ - SISSOKO MISS - Sissoko and Son break free with the goal ahead of them and just one marker, Van Dijk. Son lays it off for Sissoko and he foolishly blasts it over when he could have drilled low past Alisson.
90’ - GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Spurs. Alderweireld scores an own goal - Salah reaches a header at the back post, it is saved by Lloris who accidentally pushes it into Alderweireld, and the ball dribbles over the line.
KEY STAT
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2019/03/31/2555477-53008250-2560-1440.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2019/03/31/2555529-53009290-2560-1440.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2019/03/31/2555528-53009270-2560-1440.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2019/03/31/2555478-53008270-2560-1440.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2019/03/31/2555501-53008730-2560-1440.jpg)