It was a tale of two substitutes in stoppage time as the Reds beat Spurs 4-3 at Anfield after a frenzied contest
Diogo Jota was the hero for Liverpool as they secured a remarkable 4-3 win over Tottenham at Anfield to move up to fifth in the Premier League table.
The substitute's 94th-minute strike delivered a fourth successive win for Jurgen Klopp's side, who had led 3-0 inside 15 minutes before being pegged back by a spirited Spurs outfit.
Harry Kane and Son Heung-min were both on target for Ryan Mason's men, and when one of their substitutes, Richarlison, bundled in a 93th-minute leveller, it looked as if the Londoners were leaving with a hard-earned point.
Jota, though, stayed cool to capitalise on a defensive mistake in front of the Kop, sparking wild scenes. In the frenzy, Klopp was booked for celebrating in the face of fourth official John Brooks, and appeared to pull a hamstring in the process.
A fitting end to a madcap afternoon.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Anfield…
Getty ImagesWINNER: Diogo Jota
The Liverpool fans were heading for the exits. Annoyed.
Their side has been doing their heads in for months, and they had certainly done their heads in here. From 3-0 up and cruising, to 3-3 and watching a former Evertonian rub their noses in it. The story of the Reds' season, you could say.
Not quite. As Richarlison put his shirt back on, Liverpool launched a ball forward, Lucas Moura made a terrible error, and Jota punished him severely.
It was a superb finish, cool and calm in any context, never mind this one. Jota celebrated by pretending to play a PlayStation. Fitting, really, given the unbelievable nature of the contest.
This was the Portuguese's fifth goal in his last four matches, a welcome return to form indeed. At his best, he is aggressive, dangerous and decisive. We have seen flashes of the old Jota of late.
Tottenham, of course, will feel he should not have been on the pitch after catching Oliver Skipp with a dangerously-high boot. They probably have a point, too.
Liverpool, though, will be extremely glad he was.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Lucas Moura
Oh dear Lucas, what were you thinking?!
After one Brazilian substitute had hauled Tottenham off the canvas, another delivered the knockout blow to Ryan Mason's men.
Moura, sent on to chase the game, ended up costing Spurs it, his errant pass presenting Jota with a chance he gobbled up gratefully.
It's not been a great few weeks for Moura, who was sent off having come off the bench at Everton earlier this month. This was his first game back from suspension, and another trip to Merseyside he'll want to forget quickly.
GettyWINNER: Luis Diaz
If Jota's return to form and fitness is a welcome boost for Klopp, then so is that of another Liverpool attacking star.
Diaz has had a lot to think about during his six months on the sideline with a knee injury, but he's made an encouraging return in recent weeks.
Handed a start here after a trio of substitute cameos, the Colombian marked it in style, with his first goal since September and an all-action, box office performance from the left wing.
He was simply too much for Pedro Porro, Spurs' overworked right wing-back, Diaz's touch, running power and combination play ensuring Liverpool started the game like a train.
He got the Reds' second goal, producing a superb near-post finish from Cody Gakpo's pull-back, and though he was never going to last the full game after so long out, the ovation he received when replaced by Jota, just after the hour mark, said it all.
Back in the team, back in the goals. Back on song, for Liverpool.
Getty ImagesLOSER: Richarlison
If Carlsberg did finales…
Richarlison must have been thinking about the Evertonian tweets and messages he was about to receive. He'd scored the equaliser and silenced Anfield, after all. His shirt was off, and the Tottenham fans were mobbing him. His first Spurs Premier League goal. He was the hero.
Football, though, has a funny way of biting you on the backside, especially when you live your life as a wind-up merchant, and within 99 seconds, the smile had been well and truly wiped off the Brazilian's face.
The last laugh belonged to Jota, and to Liverpool.