After a curious game Tottenham Hotspur won 2-1 against Liverpool FC, who in the end had to play almost half an hour with a double shorthanded team. The winning goal came deep into stoppage time through an own goal.
Spurs coach Ange Postecoglou made one change from the 2-2 draw with Arsenal FC in the North London derby, with Richarlison replacing Johnson, who was out with muscular problems.
Liverpool’s Jürgen Klopp also made just one change after the 3-1 Premier League defeat to West Ham: Gakpo played in the attacking centre instead of Darwin. Compared to the 3-0 win over Leicester in the League Cup last week, the LFC coach made nine changes, with only Jones and Gakpo starting again.
Jones sees red – Gakpo counters Son
From the start, a fast-paced game developed with Liverpool initially having a slight edge. Mac Allister had the first clear finish for the Reds early on (4th). Both teams attacked early with high pressing and quickly bridged the midfield. Liverpool continued to have the better chances: first Gakpo and then Robertson had a double chance but failed to beat Vicario (13th), a little later Sarr deflected a powerful shot by Jones just over the crossbar.
Speaking of Jones, the 22-year-old finally took centre stage in the 24th minute when he caught Bissouma full on the leg with an open sole. Referee Hooper initially gave him a yellow card, but after watching the video he reversed his decision and sent Jones off with a red card. Spurs immediately took more of the game, but the first goal was supposedly scored by Klopp’s team through Luis Diaz after a through pass. However, the flag went up – a wrong decision that the VAR did not correct (35.).
In the direct countermove, Spurs took the lead on the opposite side. Maddison sent Richarlison cleverly wide, the latter found Son with the outside of the box, who easily scored (36.). But Liverpool counterattacked before the break: Gakpo scored from a turn following a standard situation to make it 1-1 at half-time (45.+4).
Diogo Jota sees red card – Matip becomes the unlucky one
Liverpool continued without their goalscorer after the break as the Dutchman hurt his right leg and Diogo Jota came on (46th). With numerical superiority, Spurs’ dominance quickly increased after the restart. Maddison with a flick and Son with a powerful attempt forced Alisson to make brilliant saves (49th, 51st). There was hardly any relief for the visitors.
And it got even worse for Klopp and his team: Within less than two minutes, Diogo Jota was shown the red card for a tactical foul and then an unnecessary tripping (69th), so that the Reds went into the final phase with only eight players plus Alisson. Despite their numerical superiority, Tottenham struggled to find any clear-cut goals. But an unfortunate own goal by Matip deep in stoppage time, who scored right into the corner of his own goal, made for a jubilant Spurs (90.+6) – who are now second, just one point behind leaders ManCity.
Tottenham host promoted Luton Town in the league next Saturday (1.30pm). Liverpool first host Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League (Thursday, 9pm), then in the Premier League the Reds play Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday (3pm).
