Liverpool 1-1 Tottenham: Arne Slott’s side missed out on a chance to move up to fourth in the Premier League as they sleepwalked to a 1-1 draw with relegation battlers Tottenham.
Arne Slott and Igor Tudor had contrasting feelings (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
One won one point from four Premier League games, and one won the Premier League title in his first year. But Arne Slott looked like a manager under pressure when Richarlison missed a terrible equalizer as the Anfield clock ticked towards stoppage time.
Slott could only shake his head in disbelief while Igor Tudor, whose disastrous spell as Spurs manager could yet come to an end, pounced and punched the air. The result was a huge blow for Slott and Liverpool, but the bigger issue for the Dutchman is the growing discontent around Anfield.
The nature of the setback, with Liverpool conceding yet another late goal, meant there were bound to be some jeers, but there was less enthusiasm for the home performance ahead of Richarlison’s equalizer. In fact, Liverpool only took the lead due to a goalkeeping error.
Dominik Szoboszlai has established himself as the Premier League’s most lethal set-piece master, and his shooting in the first half was typically sweet. It was hit solidly and moved slightly to the side, but Guglielmo Vicario really should have made the save. In fact, he probably should have limped across and caught it.
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Perhaps Tudor made the unfortunate decision not to start Vicario against Atlético Madrid and succeeded in undermining the confidence of both keepers. Under Tudor, the Spurs have maintained a knack for allowing soft goals. In fact, they may have just raised it.
That doesn’t mean Szoboszlai should have refrained from celebrating. It was his fourth goal from a direct free-kick this season, and his frustration at being used as a right-back again may have added to his satisfaction. Of course, he performs his assigned duties diligently and with no small amount of excellence, but it is clear that he does not enjoy the role.
He was there because the slot used Jeremy Frimpong in Mo Salah’s position, with Rio Ngmoha on the left. Such is Salah’s long-term decline in form that Slott’s decision did not attract attention, but it is believed the Egyptian will return to Champions League duties in midweek.
Ngumoha’s contribution was inspiring, if a bit inconsistent. He’s definitely a natural talent. And the 17-year-old was a standout in a Liverpool side still finding their best form.
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Richarlison snatched a draw in the 90th minute (Image: Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images)
Not everything he did was successful. Sometimes he chose the wrong option. He was slightly off the cue when he tried to convert some half-chances. But Anfield still sang his name, praising the 17-year-old who will continue to shine on this stage for many years to come.
Ngumoha did not play in the Egyptian’s position, but he started and Salah did not play. It felt like an important moment in my time at Liverpool. Salah played 30 minutes and looked certain to score with multiple counter-attacks.
But as a microcosm of his season, his finish was a panic. He went from being instinctive to being indecisive. In the end, Salah’s failure to put the result in doubt proved costly as Andy Robertson fumbled a relatively simple clearance and Randal Kolo Muani set up Richarlison’s equaliser.
Liverpool have conceded eight goals after 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, dropping seven points from their win at Anfield. No wonder local residents jeered.
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