To say that the blip, as George Gillett called it yesterday, is
now over might be a bit premature.
To say that it could yet be a turning point in Liverpool's
troubled campaign could also amount to nothing more than wishful
thinking.
There have been false dawns already this season, proving that it
takes more than one result to revive an ailing team.
But this was a most important victory for Rafa Benitez and his
beleaguered side, not least because of the manner in which it was
won.
Spurs stunned: Dirk Kuyt opens the scoring for
Liverpool
Anfield was gripped by more than nervous tension last night.
There was an almost tangible fear, the sense that Liverpool would
concede yet another late goal, sending stress levels through the
roof for the Anfield faithful.
LIVERPOOL...............TOTTENHAM
5............Shots
on target.............3
8............Shots
off target.............2
1...............Blocked
shots...............5
2...................Corners....................3
11......................Fouls....................17
2...................Offsides....................5
346...........Total
passes...........422
62%.......Passing
success.......73%
28.............Total
tackles..............21
64%.......Tackles
success.......76%
45%............Possession...........55%
54%.............Territory.............46%
When the fourth official signalled that there would be five
minutes of second-half stoppage time, a Kop haunted by the events
of last week's FA Cup encounter with Reading and the visit to Stoke
that then followed were horrified. That was far too much time for
things to go wrong.
It was made all the more uncomfortable by the fact that
Liverpool should have put three precious Barclays Premier League
points beyond Tottenham's reach long before the 90th minute. They
had chances galore, with Dirk Kuyt, David Ngog and Sotirios
Kyrgiakos all going painfully close to adding to the irrepressible
Kuyt's sixth-minute goal.
But a combination of poor finishing and quite brilliant
goalkeeping from Heurelho Gomes ensured an anxious, extraordinary
climax.
Point to prove: Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt
celebrates scoring the second goal from the penalty spot
Only when a super move that was started by substitute Stephen
Darby and continued with Kuyt was concluded with the sight of
Sebastian Bassong crashing through Ngog did Anfield begin to relax.
Howard Webb pointed to the penalty spot and invited Kuyt to add a
second.
Even then, though, there was one more cruel twist. Lucas burst
into the penalty area before the ball had been struck and, having
scored with his first attempt, Kuyt had to do it all over
again.
Liverpool celebrated wildly, because this was not just about
taking a significant step towards the top four and those coveted
Champions League places but restoring some confidence.
Scoring against Tottenham has proved no easy task for their
opponents in recent weeks but Kuyt ended 633 minutes of near
flawless defending when he struck with a superb right-foot
shot.
Benitez would have been pleased that they protected the lead.
This time Liverpool did not crumble under the considerable
pressure.
Deadely Dirk: Kuyt sends keeper the wrong way to
wrap up the points
This time they did not concede the late goals that had cost them
on five other occasions this season.
Playing with a spirit epitomised by Jamie Carragher when he
accelerated past Gareth Bale so quickly to win a corner he probably
even surprised himself, they conquered Tottenham with a combination
of style and steely determination.
That Alberto Aquilani was central to much that was good about
Liverpool would also have given Benitez something of a lift. The
injury-plagued Italian's �20million move to Anfield has not been an
easy one but in occupying the role normally reserved for Steven
Gerrard he did a thoroughly decent job. Most crucially, he set up
Kuyt for the opening goal.
For Tottenham, of course, it was rather less encouraging. They
have had a fine season so far but this came after a disappointing
draw against Hull at the weekend and extended a run that must be a
huge source of frustration for Harry Redknapp. It is now 65 games
without a win when they visit so-called top four opposition.
They had their chances here. Not least when Jermain Defoe seized
on a poor back-pass from Kyrgiakos and, after wrestling the ball
off Pepe Reina, scored into an empty net. But Defoe was judged
offside, and that looked a poor decision.
On his knees: Spurs striker Jermain Defoe shows his
disappointment
That said, Tottenham failed to match Liverpool for sheer desire.
Redknapp will be particularly upset by the way his side contrived
to let Liverpool breach their defence. A fine piece of individual
skill from Aquilani enabled him to deliver the ball to the feet of
Kuyt, who then struck with a blistering right-foot shot, but the
opportunity came as a result of a mistake by Michael Dawson.
With Carragher barking the orders on the pitch and Benitez
directing from the technical area, there was an urgency about
Liverpool's football that has too often been missing this
season.
After the break more chances followed.
Albert Riera forced a fine save from Gomes with a looping header
while a sweetly struck volley from Jermaine Jenas brought the best
out of Pepe Reina.
Kuyt and Philipp Degen contrived to waste one chance and Kuyt
then somehow missed with a point-blank volley, Gomes excelled in
denying the Dutchman as well as Ngog and Kyrgiakos. Much to the
relief of Liverpool, however, he could not stop Kuyt's late
penalty.
