EPL: Tottenham hold Liverpool

Tottenham Hotspur marked their return to Premier League action following a series of covid –induced postponements with a 2-2 draw against title aspirants Liverpool.

Antonio Conte’s men produced a stellar display in a thoroughly entertaining match and might feel that they could have taken more from the game than only one point.

Trent Alexander-Arnold attempted to recreate his long-range goal against Newcastle before the clock reached the minute mark.

50 seconds after the kickoff, the right-back launched a 25-yard strike to force Hugo Lloris into action. 

The hosts took control in the following minutes and brilliantly exposed the Liverpool high line a couple of times.

Tottenham’s prime attacking threats Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son made life difficult for Liverpool defenders with their exquisitely timed runs. 

Emerson Royal released Kane into the Liverpool box, but thanks to a spectacular Ibrahim Konate tackle, the visitors survived the scare.

Kane ends goal drought

But Spurs reaped the rewards of their constant pressing as Kane ended his Premier League goal drought to give them the lead.  

Tanguy Ndombele, who saw his name on the starting XI for the first time since October, played a defence-slicing through ball and found Kane.

The English national team skipper made no mistake to rattle the net, leaving Alisson Becker helpless.

The goal should come as a huge relief to Kane, who has been goalless in the Premier League since scoring against Newcastle in October, but the match could have had a bitter ending for him. 

Kane caught Andy Robertson’s ankle with a high challenge, but the referee and the VAR did not deem it worthy of a red card.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, alongside many pundits, had a different opinion and got warned for his sideline antics by the referee. 

Heung-Min Son and Dele Alli both wasted good chances to extend Tottenham’s lead and Liverpool made them pay for it. 

Jota restores parity

Diogo Jota met an Andy Robertson cross with a powerful header to beat Hugo Llloris and restored parity.

The Frenchman was able to deny Alexander Arnold, however, to keep the score locked at 1-1 after the opening 45 minutes. 

Kane squandered two chances after the restart before Robertson put the Reds ahead.

Tottenham accused Mohamed Salah of handling the ball during the build-up, but the VAR did not find the allegation true.

Son delivers yet again

The lead did not last long, however, as Son neatly placed the ball between the legs of Alisson and made the score 2-2. 

With thirteen minutes to go, Robertson got a booking for kicking Emerson.

But, the VAR official advised Paul Tierney to walk to the pitchside monitor and reconsider his decision.

After reviewing the incident, Tierney felt a direct red would be a more suitable punishment for the Scotsman. 

Liverpool did well to restrain Tottenham with 10-men in the remaining minutes, but the draw has increased their gap with table-toppers Manchester City to three points.

Tottenham are now trailing fourth-placed Arsenal by six points, but they have three matches in hand to make up for it.