Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur. Premier League.
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Highlights and report as Liverpool lead Man City by two points; City have game in hand against Cardiff on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports Premier League
Sunday 31 March 2019 23:29, UK
Toby Alderweireld's last-gasp own goal gave Liverpool a huge 2-1 victory over Tottenham as they returned to the top of the Premier League on Super Sunday.
The Spurs defender nudged the ball over the line after Hugo Lloris had parried Mo Salah's header into his path (90), meaning that with six games remaining Liverpool lead Manchester City by two points, though Pep Guardiola's side do have a game in hand.
Liverpool took the lead through Roberto Firmino's glancing header (16) from Andrew Robertson's superb delivery, but Spurs levelled controversially with 20 minutes left through Lucas Moura's tap in, though replays were inconclusive as to whether the ball was in motion from Harry Kane's free-kick to start the move.
Spurs should have scored a second late on as Moussa Sissoko blazed over having found himself through, before Anfield went wild with the sloppy yet hugely vital winner on 90 minutes.
Spurs' five-man defence allowed both Liverpool full-backs too much space in the first half, and the hosts' opener came from Robertson's delightful left-wing cross, pinpoint for Firmino's head as he glanced past Lloris unmarked from eight yards.
But the nerves were still apparent among Liverpool's players in a first-half littered in loose passes, with Dele Alli striking just over on the half volley from 25 yards to give the hosts a scare.
Sadio Mane went within inches of doubling Liverpool's lead at the other end, curling just wide from 20 yards, before Spurs looked to rectify their issues by moving to a back four after the break with Danny Rose pushed into left midfield.
Spurs had their first clear opening after the break as Alisson parried Kane's effort into the path of Christian Eriksen, but the midfielder's follow-up shot was brilliantly blocked by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The title twist seemingly came with 20 minutes remaining as Kane's quick free-kick found Kieran Trippier on the right, though the ball may have been moving as he struck it. Play went on as Trippier found Eriksen, and his mis-hit cross was tapped home by Moura.
Alexander-Arnold then saw a cross-shot tipped over by Lloris, but Spurs should have gone ahead with five minutes remaining as Sissoko struck over with Van Dijk concentrated on Heung-Min Son as the visitors broke two versus one.
Alli then curled inches wide again, but Liverpool got their vital winner in dramatic fashion, their 400th goal under Jurgen Klopp and perhaps most vital. Alexander-Arnold's deep to the back post was headed goalwards by Salah, and though Lloris got a touch, it was weakly parried into Alderweireld, who couldn't help it from rolling over the line.
Attention now turns to City's game in hand against Cardiff on Wednesday night at the Etihad, live on Sky Sports Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp on Sky Sports: "The crowd was outstanding, incredible atmosphere. They were really here to push us and at the end it helped. It's a big change, a big improvement.
"We have to get used to the situation, it's all good. It is only positive. I said to the lads there are 500 ways to win a football game and today was slightly ugly. Who cares in the end? Who cares? That's the situation."
Mauricio Pochettino on Sky Sports: "Now we start a mini-league, with seven games ahead, in the top four it is in our hands. With all the circumstances happening this season, they are more than heroes, and we need to keep the trust and confidence, and of course we are going to fight to be in the Champions League."
Graeme Souness on Sky Sports: "Liverpool were playing with a nervousness that they're going to have to free themselves of over the next six games, because if they continue like that, it's going to be nail-biting stuff.
"They've got to somehow shed that nervousness and get on with playing their free-flowing football. They can't keep relying on people making mistakes. Lloris has gifted that to them today."
Lloris 3. Robertson 8. And what else in-between? Read our detailed player ratings HERE
After playing a part in Liverpool's dramatic late victory, Mohamed Salah hit back at his critics who say he's having a bad season.
Speaking to Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher after the game, Salah said: "I didn't score for a couple of games but there are some players who has the same number of goals as me but people are saying those players are having the best season of their life.
"There are three or four players and no-one talks about them - they say they have a good season and I'm the only one that has had a bad season. I want to win the Premier League - that is the most important thing to me."
Klopp's side appear to have found a blend of resilience and, at times, good fortune. But will it be enough to carry them to the title?
James Walker-Roberts takes a deeper look...
Liverpool now go to Southampton on Friday Night Football, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 7pm; Kick-off is at 8pm.
Tottenham host Crystal Palace on Wednesday night at 7.45pm in the Premier League, the first game at their new stadium. Follow live coverage of Spurs' stadium opening from midday on SkySports.com and the Sky Sports App.
