Spurs-Liverpool talking points

From controversial calls to Tottenham’s attack, we look at talking points from the draw at White Hart Lane…

Tottenham’s Danny Rose struck in the second-half to earn a draw against Liverpool, after James Milner had earlier converted a penalty. 

Here, we round up the talking points from a pulsating encounter…

Controversial calls

Three close calls from referee Robert Madley and his officiating team proved significant in this clash between evenly matched teams.

After high profile penalties for pushing and shoving in the box at Stoke last weekend, Jan Vertonghen appeared to be taking a risk when he bundled Joel Matip to the ground at a Liverpool corner. The referee blew his whistle but, rather than point to the spot, simply spoke to both players. Jurgen Klopp was aggrieved on the touchline and told Sky Sports after the game his side should have had a penalty.

The Reds were eventually awarded a spot-kick just before the break when Erik Lamela clipped Roberto Firmino’s heel and caused the Brazilian to trip over in the box, giving Milner the chance to convert.

Tottenham supporters may argue the contact came outside of the area but Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher felt the correct call was made. “Ninety-nine per cent of [Firmino’s] body is in the box and it’s very difficult for the officials,” he said. “It goes either way. But I don’t think Spurs can complain.”

The Reds had the ball in the net once more midway through the second half, when Sadio Mane tucked home Adam Lallana’s cross. However, the England man was adjudged to have strayed beyond Rose and was ruled offside.

It was a call which split the Sky Sports pundits. Jamie Redknapp called the decision a good one, Graeme Souness argued the benefit of doubt should have gone with the attacker and Carragher sympathised with the difficulty the situation presented the referee’s assistant.

Jurgen Klopp said it was “not the biggest mistake in world football” – but its impact on the game was clear when Rose fired in an equaliser 16 minutes later.

Tottenham’s trouble in attack

Liverpool’s defending has come in for criticism already …

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