OPINION
Liverpool pulled a rabbit out of their hat when they most needed it on Sunday as a late Toby Alderweireld own goal secured them a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.
Roberto Firmino had given the hosts the lead in the first half when he powered home a header from a delightful Andrew Robertson cross, only for Lucas Moura to drag Spurs level after the break.
However, a late moment of madness from Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris ensured that the Reds took all three points and returned to the Premier League summit.
As usual there is much to be gleaned from the game, and Live4Liverpool has rounded up three things that can be learned from Liverpool’s crucial win over Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Van Dijk faultless once again
We’ve become used to the centre back greatness of Virgil van Dijk, but his pure excellence can still surprise you. There was a moment in the second half when the former Southampton man reminded us all just how good he is.
With Tottenham advancing with a two on one – Van Dijk the only Reds player back defending – the Dutchman elected to keep his position between the two Spurs stars, thus forcing Moussa Sissoko to go it alone and miss badly.
The 27-year-old used such intelligence in that moment. He knew that if he committed one way or the other that Tottenham would be through on goal and so he kept his cool and ensured his team remained in the game in the process.
Alisson well below his best
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has enjoyed a phenomenal debut season in English football, but he has looked slightly flappable at times. We all remember his huge blunder against Leicester City earlier in the campaign, of course.
He was slightly off colour on Sunday, as well. He didn’t have a shocker, nor did he produce the kind of calamitous moment that his opposite number Lloris did. The Brazil international looked a little nervous, though, that’s for sure.
He let the ball slip early on and had communication issues with midfielder James Milner. He was certainly well below his top class best and his nervy moments would have left Anfield terrified.
Pivotal moment in the title race?
Could this be the moment that ends up securing the Reds their first league title for almost 30 years? It’s too early to say that, of course, but it certainly has the feel of a crucial, crucial moment in the course of their campaign.
If Jurgen Klopp’s team had failed to win it would have been hugely damaging for his side’s hopes. Manchester City are cruising at the moment and it’s unlikely that they’ll drop too many points from here on out.
However, all Liverpool can do is keep winning games and they made sure – hook or by crook – that they did just that on Sunday. In a month or so’s time we might be looking back at this day as the turning point in the title race.
