How Sadio Mane’s awful miss saved Liverpool’s season
By Roy Skillen
There was one moment during the 3-1 win over Tottenham that could be massively significant in kick-starting Liverpool’s stop-start season.
It was a moment that had Jurgen Klopp smiling and drew a collective sigh of relief from millions of Liverpool fans around the world. The majority of you may be thinking that I am talking about Bobby Firmino’s first-half stoppage-time goal, but I’m not.
The moment that could very well save Liverpool’s season actually occurred almost 45 minutes earlier. It came after Sadio Mane had missed a guilt edge chance to put the reds ahead within the first minute.
The Senegalese striker was put through on goal but fluffed his left foot shot well wide of the Tottenham goal. From there Spurs hit us on a quick counter and Heung Son Min slipped the ball past Alisson into the bottom corner.
It felt like Deja Vu. Wasteful in front of goal only to be caught out at the back. However, in a pleasant twist of fate Son was ruled to be have been offside during the buildup by the much-maligned VAR referee.
Although there was no doubt it was the correct decision you could see the relief spread over the face of the gaffer. Something had gone our way, the winds had shifted and from there we never looked back.
It was a performance of total dominance and I don’t think anybody could argue that point. Trent looked back to something like his best, Firmino looked sharp and creative. Mane started slow but grew it to the game and deserved his goal at the end. Mo Salah also looked dangerous and was unlucky to have his own goal chalked off for handball, while Thiago battled hard and left the field with a yellow card to his name and blood seeping through a bandage on his head.
Liverpool are back in the Premier League race
I know we have been here before. Performances against the top teams in the league have been solid this season, but this one had a different feeling.
Next. Liverpool 3-1 Spurs: Moments that shaped the win – thank you VAR. dark
After being on such a poor run of form we had to make a statement, and we did it in style. I know there is a long way to go and the injury to Joel Matip is a massive blow, but another win in London against West Ham this weekend will put us in a good spot for when Manchester City hit Anfield in a couple of weeks time.