Spoils shared in Anfield mayhem

Rarely does a trip to Anfield disappoint, but nobody could have predicted what happened at Anfield. The home crowd thought they had won it with Salah's stoppage-time goal, before a second penalty to Spurs saw the points shared at Anfield. Excitement and chaos in a match that also saw a goal-of-the-season contender scored.

A blistering start from the hosts set the tone for the rest of the tie, as they put Tottenham under pressure with the relentless pace that defines Jurgen Klopp's side. The goal nets would have been thoroughly checked ahead of kick-off, with star frontmen Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah lurking, but it was the latter who continued his stunning form first, firing Liverpool ahead three minutes into the game to put The Kop in full voice.

Two of the best attacking teams in the Premier League, it was set to be an entertaining fixture. But Liverpool and Tottenham's fast-flowing football, exciting as it may be for the onlooker, is notoriously wanting in defence. Something that was on display from the visitors in the opening goal.

Tottenham thought they had dealt with a long ball from Sadio Mane, but the ball ricocheted off Eric Dier's boot, playing Salah through on goal. The Egyptian made no mistake, beating Lloris and sticking the ball in the bottom right corner.

It was a nightmare start for Spurs, who continued to look hesitant as Liverpool pressed high up on the pitch. Pochettino's men struggled to string passes together as Liverpool broke down moves and set up counter-attacks with lightining pace. There was little Liverpool could have done to improve their first-half performance, in contrast with Tottenham's disappointing efforts.

But Pochettino's half-time team-talk appeared to work wonders, as the visitors came out eager to go forward and pile pressure on the hosts, who gradually gave in and took a step back. An attitude that seemed to be encouraged by the Liverpool boss. 

Liverpool lifted their foot off the gas pedal and Jurgen Klopp reacted by replacing Mane. An unusual approach from the German manager as he then brought on Joel Matip to protect his lead with three centre-backs and, with the match heading into a frantic final 10 minutes, his methods ultimately backfired.

- Chaos in the closing stages -

Tottenham pinned the Reds inside their own half and shaded possession for much of the second period, and in the end it was the unlikely figure of Victor Wanyama who came off the bench to slam a half-volley straight into the top corner from 25 yards. A stunning effort from the midfielder with one of his first touches.

Then, madness ensued. Four minutes after the equaliser, Harry Kane went down under a challenge from Karius and Jon Moss pointed to the spot. With the striker getting the ball in an offside position, the referee consulted his linesman, but the decision stood. Kane, who failed to make an impact throughout much of the game and had to feed mostly off scraps, stepped up to anxiously fire straight at Karius down the middle.

Tottenham continued to push forward after missing the penalty, but somehow Liverpool had the ball in the back of the net at the other end. Salah got the ball on the right flank in a tight space, and the Egyptian got past Davies and then Vertonghen, before squeezing it into the roof of the net as Lloris came rushing out. Anfield erupted, and so did Klopp down the touchline.

With the game in stoppage time, the Reds thought they had won it, but there was one final twist which only added to the pandemonium at Anfield. Van Dijk looked to clear the ball and kicked the back of Lamela inside the box. Jon Moss initially waved play on before awarding Spurs another penalty. Kane made no mistake the second time, netting his 100th Premier League goal.