Tottenham and Liverpool drew, 1-1, at Anfield on Saturday in a result that has huge implications for the top of the Premier League table. A Heung-Min Son goal was canceled out by a deflected shot by Liverpool's Luis Diaz that found the back of the net.
With one point, Liverpool go level with Manchester City atop the Premier League, but City can open a three-point lead by defeating Newcastle on Sunday. Meanwhile, Spurs moved to within one point of fourth-place Arsenal before the Gunners' match with Leeds on Sunday.
The first half saw Liverpool control things, taking 11 shots. But Spurs' Cristian Romero and Emerson Royal did a great job containing Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz.
The second half would see Liverpool start off on the front foot, but Tottenham opened the scoring with a great team goal. Harry Kane played in Ryan Sessegnon, who was disciplined enough to square the ball to Son instead of shooting it himself. Take a look:
Jurgen Klopp would push the pace after the opener, bringing on Diogo Jota and Konstatinos Tsimikas for Andrew Robertson and Jordan Henderson. Diaz got a goal not long after as Liverpool pushed forward and his shot deflected off of Rodrigo Bentancur and past a stunned Hugo Lloris.
For Liverpool, while Manchester City has a game in hand on them and a match against Newcastle Sunday, the Reds have completed the hardest game remaining on their schedule still gaining a point. Liverpool also maintains an advantage when it comes to goal difference but it remains to be seen how City will respond to their Champions League disappointment versus Real Madrid. On paper, the advantage will now shift to City but with so much pressure on them, they could drop a game in the future.
In the race for top four things are a little murkier. Arsenal can open a four-point gap over Spurs when they face Leeds on Sunday but this game will give Spurs a psychological boost ahead of the North London Derby on Thursday. Depending on how things go in that match, it wouldn't be shocking to see Arsenal unravel if they lose.
Emerson Royal and Ryan Sessegnon have had tough seasons for Spurs, losing their starting roles and getting injured. But they came back into the lineup in such a big match and showed up when it mattered. The duo won seven tackles, got an interception, and blocked a shot. Sessegnon also had the assist on Son's goal. On a day when Trent Alexander-Arnold and Robertson would've been expected to take home all the plaudits, Spurs' backup defenders shined. Antonio Conte ensures that every player is as prepared as possible and it made a difference as those two players were critical in keeping the match level.
With their futures uncertain as Conte has quite a list of players that he would like to bring in performances like this will make a difference for them staying in London for another year and possibly earning a starting spot next year.
No player has scored more goals than Son's 12 goals since the calendar flipped to 2022. It has put him in a place where he is only two goals behind Salah (22) for the Premier League lead with three games remaining. Salah has scored five penalties during the season while all of Son's goals have been from open play.
Son and Diaz scored in the match but Antonio Conte's defense was good enough to stave off Jurgen Klopp tossing attackers on all match. It was a game to forget from Mohamed Salah though.
A bit of a miscommunication as Salah didn't expect to get that ball but following the corner, Lloris is strong in the box to clear the chance. There will be five minutes of additional time played.
Davies couldn't create anything from his cross and Liverpool takes Fabinho off for Keita to ensure they finish with 11 men on the pitch.
Both teams are pushing but still holding strong, the end is being played on a razor's edge as everyone seems as concerned with not making a mistake as they do with creating a chance.
This is a change that shows how short Spurs are on the bench at the moment. Will Liverpool take advantage of Davies needing to move to wing back for the remainder of the match?
It took a deflection off of Bentancur and Lloris didn't have a chance as he already committed. The next goal will be massive as neither team wants to finish level.
Despite facing a barrage all game, Spurs have been able to get forward more in the second half. Sessegnon takes a yellow to keep Salah out of the box and 20 minutes remain in this one.
Tsimikas and Jota are coming in for Robertson and Henderson. Jurgen Klopp is getting to a much more attacking side to get things back versus Spurs as a draw helps neither team.
it was a team goal as Kane played the ball to Sessegnon who was aware enough to square it across to Son for the opener. What a goal.
It's a rare foray forward for Spurs bis as Son talked, they can't make much of the set play. Better though as they relieve the pressure from Liverpool.
Liverpool are getting the ball into the box but the Spurs' five man defense are staying disciplined so that someone can't get behind them. Jordan Henderson came close to creating a chance but no one was free in the box to knock it in.
Who will open the scoring?
Liverpool have taken 11 shots in the match but most haven't come from good positions creating an xG of .65. Spurs will feel good about their defensive composure but they haven't been able to get on the break in transition. All Son needs is one shot but will Liverpool find their finishing boots first?
It's such a showing of how good Liverpool are as a team as the Spurs counter would've cut most teams open but it can't penetrate their disciplined defense.
Virgil van Dijk gets on the end of a corner and beats Lloris but hits the top of the bar to clear.
The clearances are getting a little more frantic for Spurs as the Reds dominated possession in the half. They need to get something going sooner than later as Lloris has already had a busy day in net so if a goal isn't conceded, there may be a penalty conceded defending so much.
It's getting into a predictable rhythm now as Liverpool breaks finds Mane or Diaz and then Spurs stick with them to make a last-second tackle. Sessegnon does cause a bit of a worry with his header on Salah's chance but Lloris was there to clean things up.
Both teams don't look very comfortable in defense but the attacking breaks have been impressive. Liverpool are dominating possession but they haven't gotten a great chance from it yet.
Liverpool does well defending before going on the break in seconds. Salah's pass took a deflection but it was good defense by Dier to push him wide. The corner doesn't result in a great chance as Spurs are doing the best they can defensively.
Following an interception in midfield, Kane plays a cross to Son but it's ruled offsides. It may not have paid off but it shows what Antonio Conte wants to do in the rare chances that they have to venture forward.
Liverool are already showing their danger. Diaz is dispossessed by Royal and Kulusevski but after winning the ball back he is able to get off a shot and almost get the ball to Mane for a goal. Spurs will need to be perfect at Anfield.
Anfield is ready for this one
One of the interesting transitions of Liverpool this season has been Sadio Mane moving to a central forward role when Jota and Firmino aren't playing. It's the type of change that could extend Mane's career while also giving Jurgen Klopp another tool in his bag of tricks. If he can get into space today, it could cause some problems for Spurs.
Emerson Royal and Ryan Sessegnon have had roller coaster seasons this year but they're all that Conte has at his disposal out wide in one of the biggest matches of the year. Containing Mane, Salah, and Diaz is a tough task for anyone but they'll need to find a way to slow them down if the attack will have a chance.
Starters: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Diaz, Salah, Mane
Reserves: Kelleher, Milner, Keita, Gomez, Jones, Jotta, Tsimikas, Origi, Matip
Starters: Lloris, Royal, Romero, Dier, Davies, Sessegnon, Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Kulusevski, Son, Kane
Reserves: Gollini, Sanchez, Rodon, White, Winks, Craig, Lucas, Bergwijn, Scarlett
Antonio Conte is still without Sergio Reguilon due to his groin injury, and that is on top of Matt Doherty and Japhet Tanganga being out for the rest of the campaign. Otherwise, most everyone is available in a crucial match for Spurs' top-four hopes.
Roberto Firmino is dealing with a foot problem and is being monitored, according to BBC Sport. Meanwhile, Joel Matip, Luis Diaz, and Jordan Henderson were on the bench to start the Champions League semifinal second leg at Villarreal, but each are expected to return to the starting XI. Diaz especially, as the Colombian came off the bench and helped chance the match as the Reds dominated the second half to advance to the May 28 final to face Real Madrid.
