Victor Wanyama scores a thunderbolt from 30 yards/Premier League
LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom, Feb 4 – Harambee Stars Captain Victor Wanyama stepped off the bench to score barely two minutes on the pitch as Liverpool and Tottenham played to a 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday.
Wanyama’s thunderbolt from 30 yards cancelled out Mohammed Salah’s third minute goal but there was to be plenty of drama in the final five minutes.
Harry Kane missed a penalty just after Wanyama’s goal and on the other end, Salah scored his second, but Spurs had a late penalty this time converted by Kane for a two-all scoreline.
Liverpool were leading 1-0 with 12 minutes left after Mohamed Salah’s opener but Victor Wanyama thumped Spurs level before Kane won a penalty on 85 minutes.
However, the England international spurned the opportunity and Salah sensationally put Liverpool in front in injury time with an exquisite solo effort.
That looked the end of the drama but Spurs won a second penalty with their final attack when the linesman overruled referee Jon Moss for a Virgil van Dijk challenge on Erik Lamela.
In front of a disgruntled home crowd, Kane made no mistake to become the player to reach 100 Premier League goals in the second-shortest time.
Harry Kane missed one penalty but buried another to earn Spurs a point
With just three minutes gone, Liverpool’s high press forced Eric Dier into a horrendous back-pass which was seized upon by Salah, who was presented with an easy finish past Hugo Lloris from 10 yards out.
Tottenham looked rocked by the early goal as Liverpool continued to play with energy through Jordan Henderson and James Milner in midfield – however, the second goal evaded them with Milner and Roberto Firmino skewing shots wide after some creative play by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
After the break Spurs started to find their rhythm and ask questions of Liverpool defensively.
Jurgen Klopp made two changes after the win at Huddersfield, and they were both defensive. Virgil van Dijk came in for Joel Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold replaced Joe Gomez.Spurs were unchanged following the 2-0 win against Manchester United.
The atmosphere around Anfield was becoming nervy with their team dropping deeper and Klopp switched to a back five for the final 10 minutes in order to see the game out.
Salah has scored 21 goals in 25 Premier League games for Liverpool
His defensive tactic didn’t reap the required effect as Spurs levelled in spectacular fashion.
Eriksen’s cross from the left was palmed clear by Karius into the path of Wanyama, who struck a quite breath-taking half-volley into the top corner.
The drama wasn’t done there as Spurs won a penalty in the 85th minute as Kane nipped through and went down under minimal contact from Karius.
The script seemed set for the England international to net his 100th Premier League goal but his penalty was straight down the middle and Karius blocked it away.
Liverpool then thought they’d won it when Salah somehow twisted and turned in the box, beating two Spurs defenders, and poked a fine finish into the net.
With Anfield rocking, the home fans’ joy quickly turned to anger when Lamela was felled by Van Dijk inside the area. The referee originally waved away the appeals but the linesman flagged and Moss brought the play back to award the penalty.
This time Kane stayed cool and quite a bonkers match ended all square.
“I am not allowed to go in their room until half an hour after the game, do you think the first thing
Jurgen Klopp was unimpressed with the two penalties awarded to Tottenham, saying ‘it’s hard to accept the decisions’.
–Courtesy Sky Sports
