Football can be so cruel, as a valiant Liverpool bid to get a point with nine men came undone by a stoppage time own goal that continues Ange Postecoglou’s red-hot start to life at Tottenham Hotspur.
And that was just the tip of the iceberg, as PGMOL — the body responsible for refereeing games in English professional football — has admitted VAR “failed to intervene” to overturn a clear and obvious error by officials that took away a Liverpool goal.
Spurs could not find a way past 10-man, and then 9-man Liverpool until Pedro Porro’s wicked cross deep in stoppage time was redirected past an outstanding Alisson Becker by Reds defender Joel Matip for a decisive own goal.
And Liverpool can argue that it should’ve never gotten to that point as the then 10-man Reds would’ve been ahead 1-0, as Spurs had yet concede Heung-min Son’s opener. Curtis Jones was sent off in the 26th minute when his studs-up foul was turned from a yellow card to a red after VAR review, and Son quickly put Spurs up 1-0 on his sixth goal of the Premier League season.
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Cody Gakpo would answer for Liverpool before halftime, but the Reds fought hard to earn a point. Gakpo came off at halftime and his sub Diogo Jota was shown yellow cards in the 68th and 69th minute to doom this game to a slog.
Liverpool slogged so well, helped by Alisson Becker’s eight saves in a bid to save another shorthanded result for the Reds. But Porro’s cross was turned into goal and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium erupted for its heroes.
Spurs now sit second with 17 points, above Arsenal on goals scored and a point behind leaders Manchester City. Liverpool’s 16 points are good for fourth.
Incredible Alisson denied as controversy rampant in Liverpool loss
We’re going to be talking about several big points in this one, but let’s start with what has become an almost-unquestioned opinion.
Alisson Becker is the best goalkeeper in the world right now. The Brazilian made eight more saves and it can be argued he was about to be responsible for a fourth unexpected point of the season before Matip’s unfortunate clearance attempt.
Alas, the controversy.
First, there are two red cards that require reckoning. You can feel for Curtis Jones’ unintentional studs into the ankle of Yves Bissouma, but it’s a reckless challenge over the ball and an understandable if unfortunate red card after VAR review.
Diogo Jota’s second yellow card in two minutes was brainless, but his first felt more a reputation yellow rather than a caution that would’ve been shown to many other players in the league.
This all came after Luis Diaz’s goal was seemingly confirmed offside after what was believed to be a VAR review of what looked to be, well, onside to the naked eye. The lines weren’t shown on the broadcast and PGMOL later confirmed there was ‘significant human error.’
It’s difficult to say anything about this game except that Tottenham got the rub of the green, something’s that’s benefited their visitors so many times over the past few seasons. Spurs got a win, but it feels wrong to say they won the game. Liverpool gave it to them with plenty of help from coin-flip calls. One of them was very, very wrong.
What’s next?
Union Saint Gilloise comes to Anfield on Thursday in Europa League group play, and Liverpool goes to Brighton on Sunday, Oct. 8 for Premier League action.
Tottenham goes to Luton Town at 7:30am ET Saturday (Sept. 30).
How to watch Tottenham vs Liverpool live, stream link, time
Kickoff: 12:30pm ET, Saturday (Sept. 30)
TV channel: USA Network
Stream: Watch online via NBCSports.com
Tottenham vs Liverpool player ratings
Tottenham vs Liverpool player ratings (fotmob.com)
Tottenham vs Liverpool player ratings (fotmob.com)
Tottenham vs Liverpool final score: 2-1
Goals: Son (36'), Gakpo (45'+4), Matip (o.g. 90'+6)
Red cards: Curtis Jones (26'), Diogo Jota (69')
Jurgen Klopp reaction — ‘They drew the lines wrong’ on Diaz offside goal
“In the end it looks a little bit like destiny. We defended outstandingly well today, but unlucky. It’s not a nice outcome. We deserved a point and we didn’t get the point. I’ve heard about worse things in life. That’s how it is. How we opened up the game and then the offside goal — On the pitch? Never. And then you get it. They drew the lines wrong.”
Ange Postecoglou reaction — Spurs ‘had to show a different side’
“Particularly in the manner it happened, it really packed an impression on everyone involved. Another challenge today and we had to cope with a fair few things and show a different side to our game. First half we didn’t do well but second half we were really good.”
90th minute +6 GOAL — Liverpool own goal gifts Spurs win
For all the good football Tottenham’s played this season, it gets this win off a wicked cross.
Joel Matip has to try and clear the danger as Pedro Porro smashes a ball from the right toward the six.
Matip has men charging behind him but only gets his shin on a bid to clear it wide of the near post, instead sending the ball into the roof of Alisson’s goal.
Alisson angrily swats the ball away, then turns to comfort Matip as Tottenham Hotspur Stadium explodes. Their Spurs are going second.
69th minute RED CARD — Substitute Jota carded twice in two minutes
Diogo Jota will know he’s being watched following a 68th minute yellow card for clipping Destiny Udogie from behind.
So what is he doing with a rash, low sliding challenge on Udogie? Jota was pulled before giving away the ball, but the only explanation for his tackle is the proverbial red mist.
The Reds face 20-plus minutes down two men.
Halftime review — Tottenham 1-1 Liverpool
The controversial red card dominates any debate about a half that was undebatable entertaining.
Spurs can claim 57% of the ball and four of the game’s seven shots on target but Liverpool have attempted more shots and boast the better xG.
The goals were both good and there’s been bite to this game. Liverpool have committed nine of the game’s 12 fouls.
Liverpool has already come back from a red card and goal deficit once this season.
45th minute + 4 GOAL — Cody Gakpo strikes for 10-man Reds
A looped cross is nodded back into the mix by Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo is ready, settling the ball and turning to fire.
His lashed shot cuts between Micky van de Ven and Yves Bissouma, and Guglielmo Vicario can only get a hand to what becomes Liverpool’s equalizer.
Gakpo goes down with an apparent knee injury, but returns to the fray. Double relief for Jurgen Klopp, courtesy his Dutch winger.
36th minute GOAL — Son stays hot, taps in Richarlison feed
Moments after Luis Diaz has the ball in the Tottenham goal but is proven offside by VAR — Klopp will love the cameras today, won’t he? — Tottenham’s on the board.
James Maddison spots Richarlison down the left side, and the Brazilian has plenty to do when he gets in the box.
But he does it, squaring for a wide-open and hustling Heung-min Son to tap home for his sixth goal of the season. Only Erling Haaland (8) has more.
26th minute RED CARD: VAR review leads to Curtis Jones sending off
Curtis Jones is initially shown a yellow card for a lunging tackle that almost completely missed the ball and landed studs-up onto Yves Bissouma’s ankle.
The Video Assistant Referee has sent Simon Hooper to the screen to have another look at this one, which will divide opinions for sure.
Jones is coming out of a 50:50 challenge and charging toward Bissouma. He unintentionally lands on Bissouma’s ankle but the judgment is apparently that Jones was reckless in going into the challenge.
The Reds will face another long spell down a man, away to a top-four rival. Oof.
15th minute: Thrilling start promises fun
Tottenham looked better at the start, as Richarlison was bright early and helping to drive the Spurs attack to prominence.
But Liverpool have taken four of the game’s first five shots, and a pair of Guglielmo Vicario quickfire, close-range saves in the 14th minute signaled Liverpool’s strength into this match.
Who will find the moment to move their threat onto the scoreboard?
Tottenham lineup
Our team is in! 💪
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 30, 2023
📋 #TOTLIV pic.twitter.com/OMzntHknry
Liverpool lineup
🔴 #TOTLIV Team News 🔴
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 30, 2023
How we line-up this evening in the capital:
Focus on Tottenham
Maddison has been in Best XI since moving to Tottenham, and Heung-min Son has done an admirable job filling the boots of Harry Kane. The South Korean star has been a true leader while also filling the nets with five goals. Only Erling Haaland has more.
OUT: Rodrigo Bentancur (torn ACL), Ivan Perisic (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (thigh), Bryan Gil (groin), Alfie Whiteman (ankle), Brennan Johnson (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Giovani Lo Celso (thigh), James Maddison (knee)
Focus on Liverpool
Mohamed Salah has been sensational this early season, leading the league in assists and big chances created, but Darwin Nunez has been almost as impressive for the Reds with the PL’s top mark in shots per 90 minutes. Virgil van Dijk has also returned to near-top form, with a PL-best 3.3 interceptions per 90.
OUT: Thiago Alcantara (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Trent Alexander-Arnold (hamstring)