Tottenham’s resistance puts major dent in Liverpool’s title hopes

In the most demanding and unforgiving Premier League title race it is Liverpool who have blinked first. Jürgen Klopp’s team sit at the summit once again but, having seen their 12-game winning league run at Anfield come to an end against a resolute Tottenham, a point will be considered insufficient in the bid to dethrone Manchester City.

Klopp rallied the Kop after the final whistle - never give up, the message - but Trent Alexander-Arnold’s reaction was telling. The Liverpool defender dropped to his knees after an enthralling game in which Son Heung-min put Antonio Conte’s side in sight of a precious victory in their pursuit of Champions League qualification before Luis Díaz’s deflected strike rescued a point for the hosts. City can open up a three-point gap should they pick themselves up off the floor to defeat Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

On paper, Spurs’ visit to Anfield appeared the most awkward assignment left for Liverpool in their pursuit of the Premier League title. It played out as such on the pitch. Klopp’s team started with an intensity and confidence that was also evident in the crowd following another momentous week for the club. Andy Robertson, snapping in to dispossess Rodrigo Bentancur and set up a half chance for Sadio Mané inside the opening minute, typified the ferocity with which the Champions League finalists worked to regain possession.

But Conte’s team weathered the initial storm and, as the Liverpool manager had predicted, the danger posed by “some of the best counter attacking players in the world” soon became apparent. From Spurs’ first attack in the sixth minute Harry Kane’s cross forced Alisson to save at the feet of Son and from Bentancur’s follow-up, although the South Korea