Liverpool Fall Asleep at Anfield, Tottenham Begin to Wake Up

LIVERPOOL, SUNDAY — Liverpool continues to suffer from recurring ailments throughout this season, while Tottenham has managed to showcase their best performances and results under interim coach Igor Tudor. As Liverpool appeared to be in a slumber, Tottenham gradually awakened and began to rise.

Home midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai once again emerged as the most deserving figure to feel disappointed at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, on Monday (16/3/2026) early morning WIB. After scoring a spectacular goal from a free kick, Liverpool failed to secure a victory once more, similar to their match against Manchester City earlier this month.

Tottenham equalized through striker Richarlison in the 90th minute. For the eighth time in the league this season, Liverpool conceded a goal in or after the 90th minute. According to Opta, this was the most goals conceded at a crucial time in the club's history, surpassing the 2010-11 season (7 goals).

The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Liverpool failed to conquer a team with the worst trend in the league since the turn of the year. "We need to wake up soon because if this continues, we should be satisfied with the achievement (finishing in the zone) of the Europa Conference League. I don't know why this is happening, honestly, I don't know," said Szoboszlai.

Unlike Szoboszlai's statement, it is actually not that difficult to identify the issues with "The Reds." The defending champions failed to replicate last season's achievements due to an inefficient execution of their game plan. This classic problem has been evident throughout the season and reemerged in the recent match.

The strength of the team coached by Arne Slot lies in their fast-paced gameplay. When the match turns into a transition-heavy basketball-like game, they usually capitalize on that advantage. However, this theory has not held true this season. They have instead become complacent after a back-and-forth exchange of attacks, leading to conceding goals at the end of matches.

"It feels frustrating. How many times has this happened? And it happened again today. Once again in the final minutes, once again after many opportunities to score, and we ended the match with disappointment. I am starting to get used to situations like this," said Slot, who was booed by his own supporters after the final whistle.

In the last half hour, Tottenham began to attack sporadically. The visiting team became bolder in leaving their defense to search for an equalizing goal. Liverpool, on the other hand, repeatedly had opportunities from transitional situations. However, "The Reds" always struggled with their finishing touch.

Slot made some rotation in the squad for that match. Seventeen-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha was given the opportunity to start. However, that cannot be an excuse. The main strikers, Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike, were brought on in the 64th minute, but they also could not provide a solution in the front line.

Regardless of Liverpool's recurring ailments, Tottenham's squad deserves appreciation for their resistance. They arrived at Anfield in a crisis situation. "The Lilywhites" have lost four consecutive matches across all competitions since Tudor's arrival in mid-February. The coach is at risk of being dismissed if he fails to secure a positive result from Anfield.

Tottenham has shown great spirit in their effort to escape the clutches of the relegation zone. Only the fighting spirit can be relied upon by Richarlison and his teammates, as they are currently facing a player crisis. A total of 11 of their key players are unable to play due to injuries or red card suspensions.

In the back line, the visiting team even employed a combination that had never been tried before, namely the central defender duo of Radu Dragusin and Kevin Danso. "We can only work hard, keep running, and maintain our belief until the end of the match. We are indeed facing difficulties, but we are a group that does not give up," said Dragusin.

The change in Tottenham's formation has had a significant impact. Tudor no longer employs his favored 3-4-3 formation and has boldly attempted a 4-4-2 formation. The striker duo of Richarlison and Dominik Solanke has been paired in the front line. With the presence of this duo, they are willing to implement a strategy of long passes.

The result paid off as injury time entered. A long ball from Tottenham's defense failed to be handled by Liverpool's players. Substitute Randal Kolo Muani successfully stole the ball and passed it to Richarlison, who was free in the penalty area. The equalizer was scored.

Tudor stated that he intentionally simplified the attack scheme with long and speculative passes. "In difficult situations like this, everything becomes challenging if we do not make it simpler. This is a good start. An extraordinary point. We deserve that because of the fighting spirit of the players," he said.

Thanks to this result, Tottenham can breathe a little easier in 16th place. They are once again one point away from the relegation zone after competing teams, Nottingham Forest and West Ham, also drew. Meanwhile, Liverpool remains in fifth place (49) as they failed to capitalize on Aston Villa's defeat. (AP/REUTERS)