How It Happened is an on-the-whistle match report of the Reds’ latest game, as it happened. It’s a new matchday feature we’re trying out here at The Anfield Wrap, so let us know what you think.


LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 27, 2016: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp and Tottenham Hotspur's manager Mauricio Pochettino before the FA Premier League match at White Hart Lane. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

A REAL game of two halves at White Hart Lane, with James Milner and Danny Rose getting the goals, as an exciting contest ended in a 1-1 draw.

Liverpool dominated much of the first half and would have gone in at half time expecting more than the solitary goal from Milner’s penalty, with Philippe Coutinho missing a couple of decent chances to put Klopp’s side further in front.

The Reds started the second half the quicker of the two, seeing a Sadio Mane goal ruled out for offside, but Spurs got back into the game, and reaped the rewards of a period of sustained pressure, as Danny Rose got the equaliser to ensure a share of the points.

Liverpool had the better of the opening exchanges of the encounter, Mane’s ball through to Roberto Firmino split the defence and the Brazilian unselfishly squared the ball to fellow countryman Coutinho who failed to beat Michel Vorm at his near post.

Coutinho was given a chance at redemption, but suffered the same result, after Mane had chipped a ball over the top to find him in acres of space behind the Spurs defence, but his tame effort was easily dealt with, once again, by Vorm.

Spurs may have had thoughts on getting to half time unscathed, but that was blown up in the air when Erik Lamela was judged to have clipped Firmino, and referee Bobby Madley pointed straight to the spot. Milner made no mistake, sending the ‘keeper the wrong way, to put the Reds a goal to the good.

LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 27, 2016: Liverpool's James Milner scores the first goal against Tottenham Hotspur's goalkeeper Michel Vorm from the penalty spot during the FA Premier League match at White Hart Lane. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool came firing out the blocks in the second half. Joel Matip rose to meet a corner and saw his header clip the bar. Then Mane had a goal ruled out for offside, after some nice interplay by Georginio Wijnaldum and Adam Lallana.

However, Spurs finally started to establish a foothold in the game. Lamela’s freekick forced Simon Mignolet to tip over the bar, before the Belgian was called into action again, as Toby Alderweireld steered Eriksen’s corner towards goal, but it was saved at the near post.

Eventually, the pressure paid off for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, as a diagonal ball was received by Eriksen on the right, his ball found Rose at the back post, with Liverpool on the back foot, and he finished at the near post to even the scores.

It was a well-fought game, where a draw was arguably a fair result, though Klopp may feel his side should’ve taken the initiative in the first half to ensure they wrapped up all three points.

LFC: Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Matip, Milner; Henderson (c), Wijnaldum, Lallana; Mane, Coutinho, Firmino.

Subs: Manninger, Grujic, Moreno, Lucas, Sturridge, Origi, Stewart.

LISTEN: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Liverpool 1: The Pink.

READ: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Liverpool 1: Match Ratings.

READ: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Liverpool 1: Match Review.

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