Igor Tudor sees Tottenham Hotspur ‘turning point’ in EPL after draw with Liverpool
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Tottenham Hotspur's Richarlison scoring a 90th-minute equaliser in the 1-1 English Premier League draw with Liverpool at Anfield on March 15.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LIVERPOOL – Interim Tottenham Hotspur manager Igor Tudor hailed an “amazing” spirit from his depleted squad to snatch a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on March 15 and bolster their chances of avoiding relegation from the English Premier League.
Richarlison’s 90th-minute equaliser snapped a club-record run of six straight defeats that had sunk Spurs to the brink of falling into the bottom three.
Dominik Szoboszlai's 18th-minute free kick had looked like securing the points for Liverpool but the hosts were unconvincing and could have no complaints as Tottenham grabbed a point.
Former Everton striker Richarlison was a constant threat for the visitors and fired a low shot past Alisson Becker to secure a vital point late on in his side’s relegation battle.
Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai (right) celebrating with Andy Robertson (left) and Rio Ngumoha after scoring the opener in the English Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.
PHOTO: EPA
Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison celebrates scoring their equaliser against Liverpool.
PHOTO: REUTES
A draw edges Spurs one point clear of relegation rivals Nottingham Forest and West Ham United.
“The team spirit was amazing. This was the main demand. The quality is there,” said Tudor.
“We hope today is a turning point.”
The Croatian manager was without a dozen first-team players due to injury or suspension, meaning he could not even field a full complement of substitutes.
The former Juventus boss was forced to throw on 19-year-olds Callum Olusesi and James Rowswell in the second half.
“It is an amazing, incredible point we take here, and deserving,” added Tudor. “Congratulations to the guys.
“It is very difficult to even explain our circumstances. In training, we prepared in one way.
“This morning, Conor (Gallagher) says that he is not able to play so we need to change the players and positions. The moment is really strange and even more challenging to show who we are. The players were really amazing.”
By contrast, Liverpool blew a huge chance to climb into the top four.
Arne Slot’s men edged ahead of Chelsea into fifth, but remain at serious risk of missing out on the Champions League next season.
It was a familiar tale this season for the defending champions as they conceded late after failing to kill the game off.
“Again in the last minute, again after an opportunity to score ourselves, and again we leave the pitch with a disappointing result,” said Slot.
Szoboszlai added: “It’s a huge disappointment. Again in the last minute, I don’t know how many times it’s happened this season, we have to wake up.”
Slot had no complaints that his side were booed off at Anfield, but is confident the fans will rouse themselves to back his side in the March 18 Champions League last-16 tie against Galatasaray.
Liverpool trail the Turkish giants 1-0 heading into the second leg.
“They have experienced this far too many times, more times than they are used to and that is completely normal that they show their frustration,” added Slot.
“The frustration is felt by me, by the players and also by our fans.
“I’m 100 per cent sure that if they show up on Wednesday that they will be supportive again from the start, but if the team doesn’t perform to the standards that they are used to, I think it is completely normal that they are frustrated.” AFP, REUTERS
