{"id":1238674,"date":"2021-12-19T19:09:14","date_gmt":"2021-12-19T19:09:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1238674"},"modified":"2021-12-19T19:16:14","modified_gmt":"2021-12-19T19:16:14","slug":"tottenham-liverpool-analysis-diogo-jota-denis-law-reaction","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tottenham-liverpool-analysis-diogo-jota-denis-law-reaction\/","title":{"rendered":"From ‘Klopp’s Denis Law’ to TEN cards, stats and reaction from the madness of Spurs 2-2 Liverpool"},"content":{"rendered":"

A pulsating, almost breathless encounter in the capital capped off a rather subdued Premier League weekend as Tottenham and 10-man Liverpool shared the spoils in a 2-2 brawl.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is already being dubbed the ‘game of the season’ as Liverpool and Spurs went toe-to-toe in a flurry of leather, with the fistic subconscious of both teams bubbling to the surface as goals, VAR drama, tempers and cards (lots of cards) dictated this fiery showdown.<\/p>\n

There were enough talking points in this game to, not only make up for the six Premier League fixtures postponed this weekend, but also to take us through for the rest of the festive calendar and possibly into the New Year.<\/p>\n

Harry Kane scored and should<\/em> have got sent off; Andy Robertson scored and did<\/em> get sent off; Diogo Jota scored and should<\/em> have got a penalty; Alisson produced the save of the season, then the blunder of the season; Son Heung-min got a goal; Jurgen Klopp was apoplectic; and Paul Tierney dished out 11 bookings.<\/p>\n

There is a lot to unravel, but here we breakdown some of the best reactions and stats from a Premier League classic, step by step.<\/p>\n\n

Harry Kane: deadlock-breaker, red-card escapist<\/h2>\n

It was an eventful contest for Harry Kane. Struggling for form heading into this showdown, the reigning Golden Boot holder got Spurs off to a flyer with a trademark caress past Alisson, finally netting his first Premier League home goal of the season, meaning he has seven goals in 13 appearances in the top flight against Liverpool.<\/span><\/p>\n

In truth, Kane should have had a hat-trick (at least) given the number of gilt-edged chances that fell his way. The Spurs marksman finished the game with the highest xG (expected goals) of any player (1.03) and over double the number of shots of his closest challenger (six, Milner, Jota and Keita all finished with three).<\/p>\n

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But, arguably the biggest talking point that will come out from this game, as far as Kane is concerned anyway, is his reckless lunge on Robertson during the first half. Charging in studs up, Kane’s mistimed ‘challenge’ caught the Glaswegian and sent him tumbling to the turf, with Tierney brandishing a yellow in his direction.<\/p>\n

Klopp was naturally dismayed by the decision, with VAR carrying out a quick check to deem the foul worthy only of a cautious. The post-challenge reaction was a mixture of confusion and frustration as the video assistant referee appeared to miss out on what seemed a textbook red card (though Kane seemed to think otherwise).<\/p>\n

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?\ufe0f "We had more than enough to win the game." <\/p>\n

Harry Kane reflects on the game after getting his first home league goal of the season and says his tackle on Andrew Robertson wasn't red card worthy. <\/p>\n

? Watch all the #TOTLIV<\/a> reaction on Sky Sports PL pic.twitter.com\/vi8LLpRK5D<\/a><\/p>\n

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 19, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n