Liverpool, May 8 (BNA): Liverpool suffered a major blow to their Premier League title hopes as they drew 1-1 at home against Tottenham Hotspur on a turbulent night at Anfield.
Luis Diaz canceled Son Heung-min’s opening match to preserve Liverpool’s 14-month unbeaten run at home in the Premier League and put them top of the table on goal difference, Reuters reported.
But the mood at the end was calm as champions Manchester City could lead by three points in their three-game title race if they win their postponed home game against Newcastle United on Sunday.
It was only the second time in 15 league games that Liverpool did not collect all three points – the other occasion was a draw with City last month – and the consequences could be dire for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
With a slim margin of error, City now appear to be the favorites to retain their title.
“It is very difficult to play against an opponent with world-class players and a world-class coach when they have a week to prepare and we play every three days,” said Klopp, whose side reached the Champions League final on Tuesday. .
“The dressing room doesn’t fly, come on, but there are other games to play. We just have to keep going.”
It could have been worse for Liverpool had Pierre-Emile Hogberg seized a brilliant opportunity in injury time rather than oddly choosing to direct the ball to Harry Kane instead of firing a dangerous goal.
In the end, the draw was a disappointing outcome for both clubs in their respective ambitions, Liverpool to reclaim the title and Tottenham to finish in the top four.
Liverpool and Manchester City each have 83 points, while Tottenham remain in fifth place with 62 points, one point behind fourth-placed Arsenal, who host Leeds United on Sunday.
“It’s a big point, but we didn’t get it in the end,” said Son, who is now only two goals behind Mohamed Salah in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot.
Liverpool controlled the ball but Spurs dug deep defensively and rode their luck at times.
Virgil van Dijk came close to scoring before the end of the first half when he hit a corner kick into the crossbar while Diaz forced Lloris to save Lloris well.
Tottenham, unbeaten in their two matches against Liverpool and City this season, have always been a threat on the counter-attack and have topped the team in clinical style.
Kane did a superb way to control the high ball and then played in Sessegnon on the right channel and a cross was taken advantage of by Son to score his 20th goal of the season.
Spurs seemed able to hold on and move to fourth until Diaz cut in from the left in the 74th minute and took his shot in a sinister deflection to beat Hugo Lloris.
Liverpool surrounded the Tottenham goal after that, but the late goal was often found refusing to reach.