Liverpool became the first team to blink in the ongoing Premier League title race against Manchester City.
The Merseyside club’s title charge stuttered against Tottenham with a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
Luis Diaz’s long-range effort canceled out Son Heung-min’s opener to preserve Liverpool’s 14-month unbeaten run at home in the Premier League.
The draw sent them top of the table on goal difference.
But the mood at the end was subdued as reigning champions Manchester City can retake the spot and move three points clear in a gripping title race with three games to play if they win they beat Newcastle United at home today (Sunday).
Realistically needing to win every remaining game, this was Liverpool’s last remaining test and they dominated possession to start the match as Tottenham dug deep defensively and rode their luck at times.
Virgil van Dijk came closest to scoring before the interval when he headed a corner against the crossbar while Diaz forced Hugo Lloris into a fine low save.
Tottenham, who are unbeaten in their games against Liverpool and City this season, looked to strike on the counter and they took the lead in clinical style.
Harry Kane did superbly to control a high ball and then played in Sessegnon on the right channel and his cross was tapped in by Son for his 20th goal of the season.
Tottenham looked capable of pilling off a win until Diaz cut in from the left in the 74th minute and his shot took a deflection to leave Hugo Lloris wrong-footed as it nestled into the net.
Liverpool laid siege to Tottenham’s goal after that but the late goal they so often find refused to arrive.
It could have been even worse for Liverpool but Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, deep in stoppage time, opted to head the ball across to Harry Kane rather than at a gaping goal.
Jurgen Klopp’s side had to improve massively in mid-season to erase a 12-point lead for Man City at the top to cue a Premier League title race but the tiniest of margins could go be detrimental to their cause.
It was only the second time in 15 league matches that Liverpool have not taken all three points with the other occasion being a draw against City last month.
Liverpool and Manchester City both have 83 points while Tottenham remains in the fifth spot with 62 points, one behind fourth-placed Arsenal who next host Leeds United.
