6 talking points as Jota saves Liverpool embarrassment as Spurs comeback denied
Diogo Jota prevented an epic Tottenham comeback with a late goal in Liverpool's thrilling 4-3 win at Anfield.
The Reds stormed into a three-goal lead when Curtis Jones opened the scoring for the Reds in just the third minute before the returning Luis Diaz doubled his side's advantage 120 seconds later. Mohamed Salah made it 3-0 on the quarter-of-an-hour mark.
Harry Kane fired back for Spurs just before the break before Son Heung-min further reduced the deficit. Richarlison came off the bench to make it 3-3 in the 93rd minute, but Jota had the final say with a winner just 60 seconds later to conclude a sensational afternoon.
Here are five talking points from another miserable afternoon for Tottenham fans.
1. IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN
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Tottenham's 6-1 defeat by Newcastle last week was one of the worst performances in the club's recent history.
And not just because of the inordinate scoreline, but because Spurs shipped three of these goals within the first nine minutes - five within the first 21 minutes.
Tottenham have conceded a whopping 13 goals in the opening 15 minutes of Premier League matches this campaign - that's more than any other team in the top flight.
The result cost interim boss Cristian Stellini his temporary job with Ryan Mason being brought in to replace him. And the players responded by refunding the fans that travelled; releasing a statement to boot.
"As a squad, we understand your frustration, your anger," it read. "It wasn't good enough. We know words aren't enough in situations like this but believe us, a defeat like this hurts."
Tottenham were stunned by Liverpool in the opening 15 minutes (PA)The statement and gesture were largely well-received, but they seemed a little hollow just three minutes into the match with Liverpool, what with Spurs 2-0 down.
The Reds made it three on 15 minutes and Spurs fans could be seen leaving the stadium early once again. Gary Neville joked while providing commentary on the match for Sky Sports that players will have to "set up a direct debit to supporters" at this rate.
Spurs are in complete disarray at the moment, and shipping this many goals this early on in games is not sustainable.
2. DIAZ BACK WITH A BANG
Liverpool have been hit with a number of injuries this season with top players out of action at crucial times.
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Luis Diaz has been a big miss up top for the Reds as new signings Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez have needed time to settle in but he's returned from injury in recent weeks and made his first start since October against Tottenham this Sunday.
The Colombian marked his return by showing the world exactly what they've been missing in his absence with a goal in the fifth minute to double Liverpool's advantage and send them on their way.
Klopp has a wealth of attacking. quality now, much more than he did during Liverpool's peak under him when the Reds relied heavily on Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
Luis Diaz was back in the Liverpool starting XI and back on the scoresheet (AP)The difference now of course is that Liverpool lack consistency up top, with Klopp apparently unsure as to his best front three.
Diogo Jota has returned from injury with a bang and walked straight back into the first team while Nunez has had to make way.
Gakpo, too, has been chipping in with goals and assists in recent weeks while Salah is a mainstay in this side - an experienced head with the ability to change a game at a moment's notice.
Diaz has much to do if he is to cement a permanent place in this Reds side, but he's going about doing so the right way.
3. SALAH FINDS HIS RANGE
Salah and scoring goals go together like peas and carrots, as Forrest Gump would say, but when it comes to the penalty spot, the Egyptian has a hit-and-miss record.
Salah has missed two spot-kicks this season; his first was against Bournemouth back in March. His second was earlier this month and came in an important match with Premier League title challengers Arsenal.
Mohamed Salah scored from the penalty spot for Liverpool (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Jurgen Klopp hinted that he could drop Salah as penalty taker in a recent interview.
"That is something we will talk about," he said, when asked if Salah could be stripped of the responsibility. "But not here!"
Klopp ultimately decided to stick with the forward, who stepped up to the plate this Sunday with this side leading Spurs 2-0. And he made no mistakes this time round, burying home his spot-kick.
4. HARRY KANE KEEPS HIS WORD
Kane spoke to the press ahead of the Liverpool game in which he apologised to the fans for Tottenham's poor season.
He told Sky Sports: "When you've been here this long, I've been here since I was 11 years old, you understand what the fans are like, you understand what the club's like. You've been through good moments with the club, I've been through not so good moments.
"Values are... everyone wants to win and everyone wants to lift trophies and that's ultimately our aim every year. But we're in a different situation to some of the clubs around us and we have to accept that but still find a way to improve and get better."
Kane's comments were slammed by Liverpool legend Graeme Souness, who suggested the striker wasn't speaking from the heart and that his comments were a mere PR stunt.
"I'll be as polite as I possibly can. "When you're a professional football player, passion should be with you all the time. Desire should be with you all the time," he said.
Harry Kane was delighted when it looked like Richarlison had rescued a point (AFP via Getty Images)"It's not a light switch, you can't flick it on and off. Harry came across there as if he'd been media-trained. He knew what questions were coming and he knew how to answer them. Maybe he consulted someone in PR at Spurs. I know I'm a certain age and from a different generation but I find that so weak."
Robbie Keane leapt to his defence, explaining that despite Tottenham's woes this campaign, the forward has been a model professional.
"If there is one player who has stood up this season it's Harry Kane," said Keane. For a team that's struggling and the amount of goals that he has scored for Tottenham is incredible in terms of how bad they have been this season. So one thing I never do is question Harry's determination."
Kane was named man of the match for his performance in Spurs' comeback draw with Man United last time out and was again Tottenham's best player in the defeat by Liverpool.
He netted Spurs' first goal and effectively rallied the troops to get them back in the game and show Souness his words weren't empty.
5. A TEAM OF TWO HALVES
Tottenham were at sixes and sevens in the first half against Liverpool - well, in the first 15 minutes at least.
But Mason's men were largely the better team after the break and a series of Klopp substitutes actually helped Spurs get back into the game at Anfield.
Tottenham overturned the three-goal deficit but still managed to lose the match (Getty Images)It was in many ways similar to the United match as Spurs grew into the contest after the break and adapted well to their opponent's tactical changes.
Son has been quiet in recent weeks but rattled both posts against the Reds as the urgency of Kane influenced his side to keep fighting.
The Korean helped reduce the deficit further after Kane's consolation goal but ultimately Spurs' slow start meant they'd given themselves too much to do.
6. JOTA SAVES THE DAY
When Liverpool looked set to be embarrassed, Diogo Jota produced the kind of ruthless, no-nonsense finish which had been his stock in trade during his early days at Anfield.
Recent months haven't been as kind to the ex-Wolves man, with goals having dried up amid issues with his form and injuries.
But in recent weeks he has looked back to something like his best, rediscovering both form and fitness and getting back among the goals.
When Lucas Moura made an error just moments after Richarlison had equalised, the Portuguese brutally punished him and saved his side's blushes.
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