TOTTENHAM 2-2 LIVERPOOL
Referee Paul Tierney and the Video Assistant Referee team were in the dock, this afternoon, as Harry Kane escaped a red card for a shocking challenge on Andy Robertson. The England captain was extremely lucky to avoid a red card.
Kane had just put Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 up when, adrenaline coursing through his veins, he when careening in with a studs-raised tackle on the Liverpool full-back.
Robertson nicked the ball over Kane’s sliding tackle but copped some studs into his spin and was sent flying. Referee Paul Tierney opted to flash a yellow card at Kane and VAR clearly agreed with the call, despite replays showing it should have been a sending off.
Jamie Redknapp on Harry Kane challenge
Soon enough, Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp was in the referee’s notebook as he wildly protested the Kane decision and a strong Diogo Jota penalty appeal being waved away.
Jota equalised for Liverpool but Klopp was still fuming after the half-time break. Sky Sports cameras in the tunnel showed the German approach Tierney for a few words before the second half commenced.
During that break in play, Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Jamie Redknapp agreed that Kane should have been given his marching orders.
“Yeah, red card,” said Redknapp. “I think he’s reckless, out of control.
“He just scored. The crowd were up, fever pitch. When you go in for a challenge – and a lot of players have been sent off for less than that – sometimes the reputation of being England captain, these things do help you, because is a really late challenge
“He’s lucky that Andy Robertson’s foot is not on the floor – he just gets it out of the way in time. He’s gone over the top of the ball there. He’s lucky.”
Should Harry Kane have been sent off?
Should Liverpool have had a penalty?📺 Watch #TOTLIV live on Sky Sports PL pic.twitter.com/yKLtrBsJzX
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 19, 2021
Harry Kane in among an avalanche of goal chances
With the Spurs striker getting a reprieve, it seemed like fate that he would play a big part in the second half. He was denied by Alisson after being teed up by Dele Alli, while his quick reaction header from four yards out went over the bar, much to the astonishment of the homes fans, and boss Antonio Conte.
With 20 minutes to go, it was left to Spurs fan to fume as Alli was denied a penalty after getting a slight nudge by Trent Alexander-Arnold. To make matters worse, Liverpool steamed down the other end of the pitch and scored through Robertson despite the ball – albeit accidentally – touching the arm of Mo Salah in the lead-up.
Spurs were level soon after, though, as the Reds defence was split open and Son Heung-min slotted home after rounding Alisson. More drama was to follow.
Robertson was initially yellow-carded for a rash challenge on Emerson Royal. VAR told Tierney to review the footage, though, and the card colour was changed from yellow to red. The Scotland captain walked slowly off as Klopp once again bent the ear of the fourth official.
Pity Robertson isn’t England captain.
— Jim Beglin (@jimbeglin) December 19, 2021
Liverpool did not sit back and hold on for the point, despite being down to 10 men, and it made for an exciting finish to the game.
Jota tested Hugo Lloris from distance while Alisson kept a Son shot out with an out-stretched leg, only for the offside flag to finally go up. A breath-taking match, and one with honours even but plenty of talking points.
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