Liverpool win cracker despite Gazzaniga exhibition

Liverpool claimed all three points in a fantastic encounter against Tottenham. The home side dominated the contest, but they had to work hard for the win. 

Spurs took the lead after just 47 seconds through Harry Kane after Son's initial shot was deflected off Lovren's head onto the post. Kane was there to head home the rebound to give the away side a surprise lead. That sparked Klopp's men into action and they attacked constantly with plenty of balls into the box. The first opportunity was in the 14th minute when Robertson played a one-two with Mane, but Paulo Gazzaniga, the Spurs keeper, intercepted the cross. That was only the start of what was to come. 

Mane headed over an Alexander-Arnold cross over the bar before Salah hit at the keeper after Mane won a long punt forward. Then, out of nothing, Spurs nearly made it 0-2. They broke through Kane and Alli's shot was cleared, but Eriksen got to the rebound and Kane was inches away from getting on the end of the ball back in. Then it was time for the Paulo Gazzaniga show with four superb saves in three minutes. 

Firstly, Fimino and Salah combined in the box and the latter's shot from inside the D was going in the top corner, but the keeper dived to his left to save it and then he stayed on his feet to deny Firmino on the rebound. Two minutes later, Van Dijk headed a free-kick towards goal and Gazzaniga had to jump to tip it over the crossbar before he denied Trent Alexander-Arnold's strike from outside the box. This time, he had to dive to his right. he made save after save.

Seconds after that exhibition, Mane very nearly levelled when he headed wide Alexander-Arnold's ball in before tensions rose towards the end of the half as Sissoko and Robertson came togehter before Rose made a nasty challenge on Henderson. Despite all the Liverpool pressure, they were losing at the interval. 

Two minutes after the resumption, Gazzaniga denied Firmino and sent the ball for a corner. Then seconds later, he set up Son with a long punt forward and the Korean went round of the keeper, but he was denied by the crossbar. Then in the 52nd minute, Liverpool levelled. Henderson's cross in was half-cleared and then Fabinho's ball in was picked up by Henderson who hit past Gazzaniga into the far corner. 

Liverpool were not done though and Salah, Firmino and Wijnaldum all tested the Argentine shot stopper for Tottenham in the next five minutes. It was relentless pressure and Pochettino did not make any changes until the 63rd minute when Ndombele came on for Winks. He probably should have reacted earlier. 

Then 16 minutes from time, Liverpool were given a penalty after Aurier lost the ball in his own box and then kicked the back of Mane's leg. Anthony Taylor was in doubt and correctly pointed to the spot. Mo Salah made no mistake from 12 yards hitting it to the keeper's left while Gazzaniga was unmoved. Despite his tremendous efforts throughout the game, Spurs now needed a goal. 

Spurs then went more attacking and Son headed a free-kick wide in the 83rd minute before Pochettino brought on Moura and Lo Celso. Spurs did put some late pressure on the hosts though. Substitute Ndombele found Rose in the 89th minute and he turned in the box before hitting wide of the goal. Then in injury time, Son shot at Alisson and with almost the last kick of the game, Alderweireld headed Rose's corner straight at Alisson. 

Liverpool fully deserved to win the game as they dominated their opponents for more than 85 minutes, but the neutral may feel sad that Gazzaniga's fabulous saves have counted for nothing. If Pochettino had made the substitutions earlier, we may well have seen a different result, but the home side were absolutely fantastic.