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For the second successive weekend boos echoed around Anfield at the final whistle.

But this time the target of the fans' ire wasn't those in red. Blundering referee Jon Moss and his assistants found themselves well and truly in the firing line.

Jurgen Klopp couldn't hide his disgust. Liverpool had been just seconds away from a precious victory over Tottenham and a significant triumph in the battle for Champions League qualification.

When substitute Erik Lamela threw himself to the ground in front of the Kop after colliding with Virgil van Dijk, Moss clearly waved away calls for a penalty.

Bizarrely, when assistant Edward Smart, who was much further away from the incident, then flagged, Moss pointed to the spot and Harry Kane duly slotted home a 95th minute equaliser.

Anfield was engulfed by fury. The mood had been transformed. It was a chaotic end to a thrilling contest with Mauricio Pochettino's side.

Moments before Moss and Kane combined to burst the Reds' bubble Kopites had been celebrating the sheer brilliance of Mohamed Salah, whose classy double took his tally for the season to 28.

The Egyptian winger looked to have won it in stoppage time when he slalomed between bewitched defenders Ben Davies and Jan Vertonghen before coolly clipping it over Hugo Lloris.

It was breathtaking stuff. Few players on the planet are capable of producing something out of nothing like that. Liverpool are truly blessed to have him.

Salah enjoyed a record-breaking afternoon having earlier become the quickest Reds player in the Premier League era to reach 20 league goals. That milestone has been achieved in just 25 games – two fewer than Fernando Torres and Daniel Sturridge.





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This was the proverbial game of two halves. Liverpool were good value for their lead at the break as they set about avenging that embarrassing mauling they suffered at Wembley back in October.

However, in the second half Spurs raised the bar. The Reds had to dig deep and they defended bravely with Van Dijk and Dejan Lovren rising to the occasion. Loris Karius produced arguably his best performance for the club.

(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Klopp's men were 10 minutes away from grinding out a gutsy 1-0 victory when substitute Victor Wanyama's stunning strike restored parity.

Then the mayhem started. Karius kept out Kane's first penalty after the keeper had been adjudged to have brought down the England striker. Replays showed that contact was minimal.

At that point Liverpool were clinging on for a draw but Salah's party piece put them within touching distance of so much more before Kane controversially had the final word.





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When the dust has settled and emotions have calmed, this can be viewed as a decent point for the Reds. They remain two points clear of Spurs and in control of their own top-four destiny.

Fears that the wheels had come off after that miserable FA Cup defeat to West Brom have been eased.

Liverpool tore into Spurs from the off and got their reward inside three minutes. Eric Dier left a backpass horribly short and Salah nipped in to drill it past Lloris.

The tone was set for a frenetic opening 45 minutes as Liverpool's relentless work ethic repeatedly forced mistakes.

A roar accompanied the sight of Roberto Firmino picking Dele Alli's pocket and the Brazilian continued to lead from the front. Spurs were rattled with centre-backs Davinson Sanchez and Vertonghen never allowed to settle.

Liverpool had just 34% possession but in the first half Spurs rarely threatened. Tactically, it was spot on from Klopp as the Reds showed impressive levels of organisation, discipline and concentration.

(Image: Jason Roberts)

Van Dijk, who looked like a man with a point to prove on his return, produced a great block to thwart Heung-Min Son. Lovren also went a long way to banishing his demons from Wembley with Kane kept under wraps.

Trent Alexander-Arnold showed real strength of character to put a tough night against West Brom behind him as he provided an outlet down the right.

One delightful clipped pass picked out the run of James Milner, whose deflected strike looped just wide. Another pin-point delivery found the unmarked Firmino, but he couldn't get enough on his header.

It was a big call by Klopp to pick Milner considering he could have gone with the greater mobility or creativity of Gini Wijnaldum or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.





But the vice-captain put in a tireless shift. The midfield trio of Jordan Henderson, Milner and Emre Can outworked and outshone Mousa Dembele and Dier before the interval.

You couldn't question the commitment and the desire – epitomised by the sight of Can and then Sadio Mane winning it back off Dembele before Henderson proved too strong for Kane.

Van Dijk proved a steadying influence at one end and at the other his header from Milner's free-kick forced a sprawling save from Lloris.

When Dembele did find space 20 yards out, Karius was equal to it.

The second half was a different story. Spurs clicked into gear and Liverpool found themselves increasingly pinned back.

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Lovren was alert to slide in and prevent Kane from latching on to Christian Eriksen's through ball.

Son then raced clear but Karius was brave and alert as he dashed off his line and denied him. The rebound dropped kindly to Alli but he drilled wide.

Salah could have eased the mounting pressure after being released on the counter but he squandered the opening. Mane, whose worrying run continues, should have put Salah through again soon after but got the pass horribly wrong.

Klopp responded by bringing on Wijnaldum and Oxlade-Chamberlain for Henderson and Mane.

Moss riled supporters with some bewildering decisions but he was spot on when he booked Alli for a shameful dive.

When Joel Matip came on for Milner, Liverpool were effectively shutting up shop but it didn't work.

Eriksen's cross was pushed out by Karius, Can was unable to clear and Wanyama unleashed a thunderbolt into the top corner.

Suddenly, the Reds looked out on their feet. Kane spurned the first spot-kick before Salah latched on to Alexander-Arnold's pass and lit up Anfield.

Klopp embarked on a manic, fist-pumping celebration down the touchline. But the smiles on the home bench didn't last. The afternoon ended with the incensed manager dragging his players away from Moss as shouts of 'cheat' rained down from the stands.

Those in red could hold their heads high. They had given everything.

MATCH FACTS

Liverpool: Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson, Henderson (Wijnaldum 64), Can, Milner (Matip 78), Salah, Mane (Oxlade-Chamberlain 64), Firmino.

Not used: Mignolet, Moreno, Ings, Solanke.

Tottenham: Lloris, Trippier, Vertonghen, Sanchez (Lamela 71), Davies, Dembele (Wanyama 79), Dier, Son (Llorente 90+2), Eriksen, Alli, Kane.

Not used: Vorm, Sissoko, Aurier, Winks.

Referee: Jon Moss

Attendance: 53,213

Goals: Salah 3, Wanyama 80, Salah 90+1, Kane 90+5.

Bookings: Alexander-Arnold, Milner, Alli, Can.

Man of the match: Mohamed Salah. A class act.