Tottenham claw their way to a draw

Luis Suarez makes his first appearance since suspension but couldn’t improve Liverpool’s weak form at home.

Liverpool
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Suarez (R) made an instant impression kicking Scott Parker in the stomach before going close to scoring [AFP]

After a technical fault prevented his plane from taking off, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was unable to watch his side battle to a 0-0 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Monday.

However, Liverpool’s infamous striker Luis Suarez was able to attend, returning to Premier League action after serving an eight-match ban for the racial abuse of Man United defender Patrice Evra. 

There was also a special appearance from a local cat who came on briefly during the first-half. The unnamed tabby leisurely prowled the pitch before deciding he was better off on the bench. 

The match was one that Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish was desperate to win as poor home form has left his team languishing behind Arsenal, Newcastle, Chelsea and third-placed Tottenham in the table.

Champions League football now looks like an outside chance for a Liverpool side who were touted by many as one to watch this season.

Instead it is Tottenham who have surpassed all expectations.

They continued to do so against the Reds with strong defending from stalwart Michael Dawson and inspirational bravery from Scott Parker.

Liverpool looked like the dominant force but couldn’t fight their way through the well-organised Spurs’ defence.

‘Defend for their lives’

Tottenham assistant manager Kevin Bond, in charge at Anfield in Redknapp’s absence, told the BBC: “We had to work really hard and defend for our lives at the end.

“We didn’t create many chances but we had the best chance of the match five minutes before the end, and it just was not meant to be. For Gareth Bale’s chance, the goalkeeper stood up well and it was a big moment for us, but a point was a good result for us.”

“We didn’t create many chances but we had the best chance of the match five minutes before the end, and it just was not meant to be”

Spurs’ assistant manager Kevin Bond

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll had a good opportunity to score after 74 minutes but skied a half-volley over the bar while Suarez headed straight at former Liverpool keeper Brad Friedel from a free kick with his only real chance.

Suarez came on after 66 minutes following the end of his suspension which included an eight-match ban for racially abusing Man United’s Patrice Evra in October and one game for giving Fulham fans the finger in early December.

Spurs’ best chance fell to Bale five minutes from time, but the Welsh midfielder hurried his shot and fired straight at Pepe Reina, one of the few attempts the Liverpool goalie had to deal with.

There were few real chances at either end and many would argue that the highlight still belonged to the cat.

The result means Spurs remain seven clear of fourth-placed Chelsea following their London rivals’ 3-3 draw with Man United on Sunday.

Liverpool, who remain unbeaten in the League at Anfield but have drawn eight of their 12 home matches, remain seventh on 39 points, one behind Arsenal.

If Liverpool are to climb the table for a place in Europe, they can’t afford to catnap in the coming weeks.

Source: News Agencies