Jürgen Klopp said a first league title for 29 years would be reward for Liverpool’s formidable willpower after they staged another dramatic late flourish to beat Tottenham and return to the Premier League summit.

The Liverpool manager admitted his team had won ugly and fortuitously as a damaging draw turned into a potentially defining three points with Toby Alderweireld’s 90th-minute own goal. Spurs were the superior side in the second half, with Lucas Moura equalising after Roberto Firmino’s early header, only for Hugo Lloris to spill Mohamed Salah’s effort on to Alderweireld and give the hosts victory. Moussa Sissoko squandered a glorious chance to put the visitors ahead moments before the World Cup-winning goalkeeper’s mistake.

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Klopp described the victory as “rather ugly” but agreed a last-minute winner against arguably Liverpool’s toughest remaining opponent this season could have a major impact on the title race. “One-hundred per cent, of course,” he said. “If you win 5-0 – and I don’t think that would have been possible today – it can lead you on the wrong path. We are all human beings. Nine months ago we started this mission, this ride, and wanted to go for the highest stakes in two competitions. We did it our way. We had to find a way to win games much more often than in the past. Until now it worked. It is all good.

“The boys work so hard and if we could be first in the table after the last match of season then it would be a championship of will. We want it. We get used to situations, bit by bit, a bit better. The whole stadium, at 1-1, was the best performance of a Liverpool crowd after an equaliser since I am in. The atmosphere was completely front-footed. I am really happy about the attitude again today.”

Klopp said it was essential Liverpool maintained momentum to keep the pressure on Manchester City but admitted luck played its part in their 14th home league win of the campaign. “We have seven players in the box and another two on the left wing for the cross,” he explained. “That’s not a lot left for protection! But that’s the risk you have to take.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Toby Alderweireld tries in vain to clear the ball as it trickles over the line. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

“Of course it was a lucky punch, the header and the ball rolls in, but I told the boys after the game there are 500,000 different ways to win a football game and today was rather ugly. No problem, we take that. Without a bit of luck you cannot be in the position we are in. It’s not possible. The boys work so hard, I think they deserve a bit of luck. I am obviously very happy about the result.”

Mauricio Pochettino insisted he was proud of his Tottenham “heroes” for their performance at Anfield but, after a fourth defeat in five Premier League games, admitted the reality of the club’s position was showing in the table.

Quick guide Five moments that make you think it could be Liverpool's year Show Hide 29 September: Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool Trailing at Stamford Bridge to Eden Hazard’s first-half goal a few days after losing to Maurizio Sarri’s side in the Carabao Cup, substitute Daniel Sturridge curled in from an unlikely angle in the 89th minute to maintain Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the season 7 October: Liverpool 0-0 Manchester City With both sides level on points at the top of the table, City were awarded a penalty in the 84th minute at Anfield after Virgil van Dijk brought down Leroy Sané. But with regular taker Sergio Agüero off the pitch, Riyad Mahrez shrugged off the claims of Gabriel Jesus before sending his spot kick over the bar. 2 December: Liverpool 1-0 Everton The Merseyside derby seemed to be heading for a stalemate until Jordan Pickford’s inexplicable mistake in the 96th minute allowed substitute Divock Origi to bundle the ball over the line. The victory kept Liverpool two points behind leaders Manchester City. 17 January: Liverpool 4-3 Crystal Palace Pegged back to 2-2 by James Tomkins with just 25 minutes to play, Liverpool were grateful for Julián Speroni’s moment of madness as the veteran goalkeeper - making his first Premier League appearance since December 2017 - gifted a goal to Mohamed Salah before Sadio Mané ensured Jürgen Klopp’s side stayed four points clear at the top. 31 March: Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham The visitors had passed up three opportunities to take the lead when a mix-up between Hugo Lloris and Toby Alderweireld in the 90th minute saw the ball trickle over the line off the Belgium defender’s shin – the third time this season a goalkeeping error at the Kop end has contributed to a Liverpool win. Photograph: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside

“Our players deserve massive credit,” the Spurs manager said. “You can not only judge Tottenham this season on the way they play or the position in the table but all the circumstances – playing at Wembley, moving from one stadium to another.

“My players are heroes and deserve a lot of credit and whatever happens in the end of the season, I’m going to be happy my players are heroes. The circumstances are so tough and we are doing everything to fight to be competitive.

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“It is a shame we are not close [to the top of the league]. We were for a while but in the last few weeks we find our reality, our place. Of course I am disappointed today but being realistic we must be happy. We have a mini league now of seven games. It’s in our hands to be in the top four and the Champions League next season. We are in the quarter-finals and we will fight with Man City to be in the semi-final.”

Virgil van Dijk, who defended superbly to thwart Sissoko’s chance, left Anfield an ice pack on his ankle. “I don’t think it’s serious,” said Klopp. “I have to check.”

Salah, meanwhile, was thrilled with his decisive contribution despite an eighth game without a goal. The Egypt international said: “I don’t score for a few games and there are players on the same number of goals as me and they say they are having the best seasons of their lives, while I’m supposed to be having a bad season.”