Liverpool missed the chance to return to the Premier League’s top four as Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison struck a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sunday.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s 18th-minute free kick had looked like securing the points for Liverpool but the host was unconvincing and could have no complaints as Tottenham ended a five-match losing streak in the league.
Former Everton striker Richarlison was a constant threat for the visitor and fired a low shot past Alisson in the 89th minute to secure a vital point in his side’s relegation battle.
Liverpool moved above Chelsea into fifth place with 49 points from 30 games while Tottenham’s first point in six Premier League games left it 16th with 30, one point above the relegation zone.
Tottenham is now 12 league games without a win, its worst run since 1935, but the visiting fans were celebrating at the end after a display that offered some hope that it can avoid a first relegation since 1977.
Interim manager Igor Tudor still has no victories in five games since taking over from Thomas Frank, but his side was unrecognisable from recent chaotic displays, albeit helped by a lacklustre Liverpool, which conceded yet another late goal to drop more points in its quest for Champions League qualification.
“I always believe in my team. At this moment, you need everyone together and today we had a good game,” Tottenham’s Spanish defender Pedro Porro said. “For now we take the point, take the positive things.”
Despite its issues, including missing both of its regular central defenders, Tottenham started well as it looked for an unlikely first league win at Anfield since 2011.
But it looked like being a familiar tale of woe as Szoboszlai sent a curling free kick past the dive of Spurs ‘keeper Guglielmo Vicario, who should have done better.
Vicario did much better just before half-time, pushing Cody Gakpo’s low shot against the post.
Tottenham should have gone in level at the interval with Richarlison heading a good chance wide and the Brazilian was Tottenham’s biggest threat after the break as the visiting side grew in confidence and Liverpool slumbered.
Mohamed Salah dragged an effort wide that could have sealed it for Liverpool but the host looked uneasy when Randal Kolo Muani was allowed to dribble across the area. He rolled a pass to Richarlison who then made no mistake to strike it home.
Published on Mar 16, 2026