Liverpool beat Tottenham to return to the top of the table

Salah's joy after Alderweireld scored an own goal in the 90th minute. Photo: Reuters

Goals: Firmino 16', Alderweireld own goal 90' - Lucas 70'

Liverpool came back from the dead in a match worthy of the title "Super Sunday". They took an early lead, but then lost their cool and were equalised. Near the end of the match, the Anfield crowd was shocked when the visitors had a chance to face goalkeeper Alisson Becker when the score was 1-1. But the home team still enjoyed the joy of winning the match with a gift from the visitors' defense.

Tottenham continued to be like a headless snake, when coach Mauricio Pochettino was still banned from directing on the pitch. The visitors started well, but received a cold shower in the 16th minute. Firmino scored, but the first credit went to left-back Andy Robertson. The Scottish player received the ball in an open area on the wing, and crossed the ball into the penalty area for Firmino to rush in and head. The ball landed right in the space between center-back Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen. Firmino's shot hit the ground and left Hugo Lloris no chance to block.

Firmino (right) headed the opening goal. This was his 12th goal in the Premier League this season. Photo: Reuters

"Tottenham used a 3-4-1-2 formation, which meant only two players on the wing. That created a lot of space for Liverpool's full-backs," said Rob Smyth ofThe Guardiancomment.

The opening goal turned the game around. Liverpool were confident in possession and siege. Firmino was effective in the role of a drop forward to receive and develop the ball. He actively slipped into the gap between the visitors' defense and midfield. In such a situation, the Brazilian striker created a finishing opportunity for Sadio Mane in the 37th minute. But Mane's curling effort from outside the box went just wide of the goal, as Lloris failed to react.

Directing from the stands, Pochettino switched to a 3-4-3 formation late in the first half and it showed signs of improvement. Eriksen dropped back to midfield to work with Sissoko, while Alli and Lucas Moura drifted out wide. They had their first dangerous chance with a Dele Alli volley from outside the box in the 34th minute.

Pochettino made the right calls and instructions from the stands, but the final goal was beyond his calculations.

Tottenham maintained their lead into the second half. In the 56th minute, Tottenham shot twice in quick succession after an attack on the left. Kane turned and shot from a tight angle but Alisson dived to block. The ball bounced right to where Eriksen rushed in to shoot, but Robertson successfully cleared the danger.

The first half of the second half passed without a goal, Pochettino once again had to call his assistant to make adjustments.. Son Heung-min came on for Sanchez, allowing Tottenham to revert to a back four and Harry Kane to drop back. The change was immediately effective, as Kane launched an attack with a left-footed pass to Trippier in the 70th minute. The Tottenham defender passed it back to Eriksen to cross for Lucas. The lightning-fast attack left the home defence unable to react, allowing the Brazilian striker to tap the ball into an empty net.

Lucas equalized 1-1, then put the ball in his shirt to celebrate the birth of his son. Photo: Reuters

Liverpool refused to settle for just a point and pushed forward once more. They almost paid the price with a quick Tottenham counter-attack in the 85th minute. The ball was played vertically by Kane, putting Son and Sissoko in a two-on-one situation. Virgil van Dijk - Liverpool's last line-up - chose to mark Son, leaving Sissoko alone with Alisson. The French midfielder fired high into the air with his weaker left foot.

Sissoko may have regretted his miss, as Liverpool scored in the 90th minute. Alexander-Arnold crossed the ball for Salah to head into the six-yard box. Lloris dived to clear, but the ball hit Alderweireld's foot and bounced back. The ball slowly rolled into the net to the amazement of everyone.

Klopp's men reclaimed the top spot from Man City, with two more points. But Pep Guardiola's army still has a game in hand.

Competition list

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson; Milner (Fabinho 77'), Henderson (Origi 77'), Wijnaldum; Salah (Lovren 93'), Firmino, Mane.

Tottenham:Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez (Son 69'), Vertonghen; Trippier, Sissoko, Rose; Eriksen (Llorente 90'), Alli; Lucas Moura (Davies 82'), Kane.