Anfield was primed for a victory that would have seen Liverpool leapfrog into the Champions League places, but a familiar face ensured the celebrations were cut short. Despite a dominant opening hour and another highlight-reel moment from Dominik Szoboszlai, the Reds were forced to settle for a frustrating 1-1 draw against Tottenham.
Liverpool fans have been left disappointed numerous times this season by Arne Slot’s indifferent Reds.
Indeed, heading into this Premier League season, it was meant to be a triumphant second campaign with the Dutchman at the helm, as back-to-back titles were potentially on the menu.
Instead, now, the Merseyside giants are two points adrift of the top-four positions in the division, as Richarlison’s late leveller for a relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur clinched a 1-1 draw for Igor Tudor’s men on their travels to Anfield.
Liverpool unfortunately switched off at the death, as the ex-Everton marksman ran away with a smug look on his face to celebrate with the Spurs faithful.
Here are five major talking points to sink your teeth into from the underwhelming 1-1 draw.
1. Liverpool’s late goal woes continue
Amazingly, Liverpool has now given up eight Premier League goals this season in the 90th minute or later, after Sunday’s latest calamity.
Last season, the Reds prided themselves on being a resolute outfit who never knew when they were beaten.
Now, that same confidence is nowhere to be found, and their late frailties keep being exposed.
2. Robertson should have stayed on the bench
Slot was perhaps guilty of tinkering too much with his side after the 1-0 defeat at Galatasaray, with five changes made for this showdown with Tudor side.
One of those alterations saw Andy Robertson come back into the first team frame, which would have been a popular switch, considering the Scotsman recently scored and assisted for the Reds in a 3-1 FA Cup success against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He wasn’t at the races against Spurs; on the other hand, with just two tackles and duels won on the veteran defender’s end.
3. Konate needs to come back in
Milos Kerkez will fancy his chances of a return to the starting XI, as he sat on the substitutes bench throughout the 1-1 draw.
Alongside the Hungarian coming back, surely Ibrahima Konate will reenter the first team fray shortly, as Slot preferred Joe Gomez to the Frenchman on Sunday afternoon.
Like Robertson, the Englishman looked shaky when winning only two duels, as Konate must come back in to shore up the Reds defence for some big Premier League clashes to come.
4. Slot needs to make his mind up about a ST
Slot’s tinkering wasn’t only exclusively on show in the defensive positions against Spurs, as he boldly started Cody Gakpo as his lone striker.
This was yet another wrong call, looking back, as Gakpo – minus rattling the bar with one effort – was rather isolated up top on his own.
The Dutchman must either stick by his fellow compatriot or reintroduce Hugo Ekitike and stick by him, with Ekitike arguably the smarter call, considering he has 16 goals next to his name for the overall campaign.
He also nearly won the contest late on, despite only being given a 26-minute runout.
5. Nguhoma could be given a run now
Lastly, Rio Nguhoma is arguably deserving of an extended period in the first team now, if the more senior individuals at Slot’s disposal continue to fluff their lines.
Nguhoma didn’t bag a goal himself against Tudor’s men, but he was such a threat whenever he bombed forward, when other Liverpool players this season have been far too conservative in their approach.
A crazy seven successful dribbles would be pulled off by the entertaining 17-year-old, with Slot needing to maintain his faith in the teenage starlet to get even more out of him.
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