Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool got lucky as their title challenge gathered fresh momentum on a dramatic day at Anfield.
Liverpool moved back to the top of the table with a 2-1 win over a Tottenham team that has now failed to win in the Premier League since February 10 but those simple facts do not begin to tell the story of remarkable encounter.
Tottenham were the better team for long periods of the second half and had opportunities to inflict Liverpool’s first home defeat since April 2017 but they ended up conceding a last minute own goal when Hugo Lloris inexplicably fumbled Mohamed Salah’s tame header.
Klopp recognised how well Tottenham played but, equally, he pointed out that Liverpool – who have now scored seven injury time goals this season – have a willpower that is enabling them to keep applying pressure to title favourites Manchester City.
‘Nine months ago, we started this mission, this ride, and wanted to go for the highest stakes in two competitions,’ said Klopp, who has injury concern over Virgil van Dijk after his star defender was hurt in a collision with Moussa Sissoko.
‘We did it our way. The boys improved so much. We have to find a way to win games much more often than in the past. Until now it worked. It is all good. The boys work hard and if we would be first of the table after the last match of season, it would be a championship of will. We want it.
‘We get used to situations, bit by bit, a bit better. When you concede a counter-attack like we did, nobody can be completely happy but we always had the chance to score ourselves. I am really happy about the attitude.’
Roberto Firmino had given Liverpool the lead in the 16th minute but they were never comfortable and Klopp said he was “not surprised” in the second half that Tottenham, who had adjusted from a back three to a back four, equalised through Lucas Moura.
‘We conceded because in the second half obviously we were not as good in the first half,’ said Klopp. We did a few things the wrong way. Tottenham changed a bit, put (Danny) Rose a bit higher. Not a big problem, usually, but for us it was. We couldn’t really get a grip.’
