Match reportLiverpool and Tottenham play out Anfield draw
Dominik Szoboszlai’s 18th-minute free-kick from distance had given the Reds the lead, with both sides having further chances, including an effort against the post from Cody Gakpo.
However, in the final minute of normal time, Richarlison swept a shot in from close range to claim a point for Spurs.
Team
Arne Slot welcomed back Alisson Becker from injury as Liverpool made five changes from the midweek Champions League clash with Galatasaray in Istanbul.
Jeremie Frimpong, Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Andy Robertson also returned to the Reds line-up.
Liverpool: Alisson, Gomez, Van Dijk, Wirtz (Jones, 64), Szoboszlai, Mac Allister (Chiesa, 90), Gakpo (Nyoni, 84), Robertson, Frimpong (Salah, 64), Gravenberch, Ngumoha (Ekitike, 64).
Unused substitutes: Mamardashvili, Konate, Kerkez, Ramsay.
First half
Liverpool had the all of the ball in the opening exchanges, but it was Spurs who had the game’s first chances of note.
After Souza had been denied the opportunity to tap in from a Dominic Solanke cutback thanks to an intervention from Robertson, the midfielder had a swerving shot tipped over the bar by Alisson a minute later.
Nevertheless, the hosts took the lead with 18 minutes on the clock.
Alexis Mac Allister won a free-kick 20 yards from goal, left of centre, allowing Szoboszlai the chance to attempt one of his now-trademark set-piece efforts.
The No.8 did not disappoint, lifting the ball over the wall into the back of the Kop net via a despairing glove from Guglielmo Vicario.
Ryan Gravenberch then scooped over from the edge of the area after spinning away from Pape Matar Sarr as Liverpool threatened a speedy second.
On 34 minutes, Florian Wirtz fashioned a good opening for Ngumoha inside the box, but he saw his drive blocked by Pedro Porro.
Then, a ball recovery high up the pitch from Gravenberch allowed Mac Allister to tee up Gakpo on the edge of the area. His near-post hit beat Vicario but cannoned against the base of the post.
Tottenham twice went close to levelling on the brink of half-time, but Richarlison’s header from a Mathys Tel delivery dropped wide of the post from close range.
The same player then nodded a corner at goal, but Alisson sprang to his left to push to safety and keep Liverpool’s lead intact at the break.
Second half
Ngumoha was at the heart of all the early action after the break, arrowing a shot a couple of yards wide from a Frimpong cross and having an attempt claimed by Vicario.
At the other end, Richarlison did well to hold up possession from a long ball forward and get a strike in at goal. On this occasion, it was turned behind by Alisson.
Slot opted to make a triple change just following the hour mark, with Hugo Ekitike, Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah replacing Frimpong, Ngumoha and Wirtz.
Salah almost capitalised on some hesitancy in dealing with a ball forward from Radu Dragusin; however, his drive across goal evaded the bottom corner as the contest ticked into its final quarter.
Richarlison was a fraction away from an Archie Gray centre and Xavi Simons drew a stop from Alisson with Spurs not giving up in the search for a leveller.
And they did grab a point in the 90th minute when Richarlison swept in from Randal Kolo Muani’s nudge across the area.
Attendance: 60,386