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Fortune favours Liverpool as they go back top of the Premier League

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The title race remains on. It looked very much to be slipping away from Liverpool, but as the ball trickled over the line at the Kop End it was clear fortune favoured the reds.

Rather than one of their own players, Liverpool fans were left celebrating the mistake of an opponent, as Hugo Lloris inexplicably palmed out Mohamed Salahs header before watching it hit the unfortunate Toby Alderweireld and cross the line to make it 2-1 late on.

The second half at Anfield had been defined by the hosts nervousness and Spurs dramatic improvement, but it was the 90th minute which counted.

Tottenhams poor run was extended. Liverpool went back to the top of the Premier League.

Red dominance

Such a conclusion looked unlikely in the first period as, in the words of Reds full-back Andy Robertson Liverpool “blew them away”.

Given space out wide by Spurs 5-3-2 formation, Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold prospered through regular diagonal switches of play.

Kieran Trippier stood off Robertson and the Scot picked out Roberto Firminos head to register a ninth league assist.

Spurs midfield was pulled all over the pitch by Liverpools fast movement of the ball, but managed to remain in the contest, with the score 1-0 at half-time.

Tactical switch

Mauricio Pochettino may have been forced to serve a touchline ban but the Spurs boss deserves credit for the match-altering changes he made at half-time.

Spurs switched to four-man defence and immediately improved, as the away side seized on Liverpools indecision.

Spurs were in the ascendency when Lucas Moura scored in the 70th minute (Source: Getty)

Harry Kanes deep passing is no longer an under-appreciated facet of his game, but his quickly-taken free-kick out to Trippier in the build-up to Spurs equaliser was the most prominent example of his skill.

Trippier and Christian Eriksen combined to set up Lucas Moura for a tap-in and Tottenham had more chances to move into the lead, with Moussa Sissoko firing over in a two-on-one situation and Dele Alli curling narrowly wide.

Feast to famine

But Spurs recent away form is poor for a reason. With Sissokos spurned opportunity still fresh in their minds Liverpool summoned the courage to push forward.

Spurs dropped deeper and with Alexander-Arnolds excellent whipped deliveries in the armoury they were bound to concede chances.

The Liverpool right-back picked out Salah at the back post and his cushioned header turned into the moment of elation around Anfield.

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