Liverpool 2 Tottenham Hotspur 2

Premier League

Sunday 4 February 2018

‘pool pages

The context

This would be John’s first time at Anfield. The number of tourists with similar ambitions – along with our refusal to pay ridiculously inflated prices – made arranging it rather difficult. But now, thanks to our friend Pete, we were Spurs fans for the day; a Premier League price cap on away tickets also meant this privilege set us back far less than any daytripper.

The journey 

scale model

We met up in Maghull. Black cabs cruised like basking sharks around Everton Valley; residents-only restrictions mean the days of “mind yer car mister?” have long gone, but I still swerved plenty of opportunistic scalls in high-viz renting out abandoned streets and other peoples’ driveways. Parking at the secure yet curiously fish-like North Liverpool College felt a far safer option.

Flesh and wine

crown jewel

For all Anfield’s managed dereliction there are still a few proper boozers about. We found Pete in the admirable Grove Hotel, which somehow manages to survive even though its former community has been mostly obliterated. From the outside it didn’t even look open; once through the doors – no bouncers here – we found fuggy warmth and genuine welcome.

me, myself and pie

Homebaked also keeps going. This co-operative community bakery – previously Mitchell’s – sells particularly celebrated pies; Pete has long been a devoted customer, despite living several hundred miles away. It occupies one corner of tinned-up Donaldson Street so may unfortunately be living on borrowed time like so much else else around here.  

The game

overhanging

Anfield’s cramped away corner isn’t a great vantage point. We stood at the back beneath its overhanging upper tier, getting showered with cement dust when Liverpool scored and fans above our heads jumped up and down. People watching TV in their living rooms back home had far more idea whether or not two late Spurs penalties were correctly awarded.

mighty Mo

Sky pundits were apparently unsure. But in any event Harry Kane hit one straight at Loris Karius and scored the second during added time. They bookended a goal of sublime individuality by Lucien-from-Liver-Birds lookalike Mo Salah, who pirouetted through the Spurs defence on ballet-dancer feet before beating Hugo Lloris at his near post.

Kane mutiny

Salah and Kane are this season’s scoring sensations. The former pounced to put Liverpool ahead before their visitors could properly settle. Matters then calmed down until Spurs took control of the game after half-time, deservedly equalising with Victor Wanyama’s thirty-yard strike in front of the Kop. Cue those crazy final minutes; after the dust had settled we all agreed a draw felt about right.

Teams and goals

Liverpool: Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, van Dijk, Robertson, Can, Henderson (Wijnaldum 65), Milner (Matip 78), Salah, Firmino, Mane (Oxlade-Chamberlain 65). Unused subs: Moreno, Mignolet, Ings, Solanke.

Tottenham: Lloris, Trippier, Sanchez (Lamela 71), Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Dembele (Wanyama 79), Son (Llorente 92), Eriksen, Alli, Kane. Unused subs: Vorm, Sissoko, Aurier, Winks.

Goals: Liverpool, Salah 3, 91; Tottenham, Wanyama 80, Kane 95.     

Att: 53,213