Liverpool vs. Tottenham score: Live updates as Reds try to keep title pursuit alive, Spurs chase top four spot

Tottenham and Liverpool drew, 1-1, at Anfield on Saturday in a result that has huge implications for the top of the Premier League table. A Heung-Min Son goal was canceled out by a deflected shot by Liverpool’s Luis Diaz that found the back of the net.

With one point, Liverpool go level with Manchester City atop the Premier League, but City can open a three-point lead by defeating Newcastle on Sunday. Meanwhile, Spurs moved to within one point of fourth-place Arsenal before the Gunners’ match with Leeds on Sunday.

The first half saw Liverpool control things, taking 11 shots. But Spurs’ Cristian Romero and Emerson Royal did a great job containing Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz.

The second half would see Liverpool start off on the front foot, but Tottenham opened the scoring with a great team goal. Harry Kane played in Ryan Sessegnon, who was disciplined enough to square the ball to Son instead of shooting it himself. Take a look:

Jurgen Klopp would push the pace after the opener, bringing on Diogo Jota and Konstatinos Tsimikas for Andrew Robertson and Jordan Henderson. Diaz got a goal not long after as Liverpool pushed forward and his shot deflected off of Rodrigo Bentancur and past a stunned Hugo Lloris.

What does this mean for the league?

For Liverpool, while Manchester City has a game in hand on them and a match against Newcastle Sunday, the Reds have completed the hardest game remaining on their schedule still gaining a point. Liverpool also maintains an advantage when it comes to goal difference but it remains to be seen how City will respond to their Champions League disappointment versus Real Madrid. On paper, the advantage will now shift to City but with so much pressure on them, they could drop a game in the future.

In the race for top four things are a little murkier. Arsenal can open a four-point gap over Spurs when they face Leeds on Sunday but this game will give Spurs a psychological boost ahead of the North London Derby on Thursday. Depending on how things go in that match, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Arsenal unravel if they lose. 

Fullback power

Emerson Royal and Ryan Sessegnon have had tough seasons for Spurs, losing their starting roles and getting injured. But they came back into the lineup in such a big match and showed up when it mattered. The duo won seven tackles, got an interception, and blocked a shot. Sessegnon also had the assist on Son’s goal. On a day when Trent Alexander-Arnold and Robertson would’ve been expected to take home all the plaudits, Spurs’ backup defenders shined. Antonio Conte ensures that every player is as prepared as possible and it made a difference as those two players were critical in keeping the match level.

With their futures uncertain as Conte has quite a list of players that he would like to bring in performances like this will make a difference for them staying in London for another year and possibly earning a starting spot next year.

The Golden Boot race is on

No player has scored more goals than Son’s 12 goals since the calendar flipped to 2022. It has put him in a place where he is only two goals behind Salah (22) for the Premier League lead with three games remaining. Salah has scored five penalties during the season while all of Son’s goals have been from open play.