Harry Kane’s controversial late penalty denied Liverpool maximum points against Tottenham.

A third-minute strike from Mohamed Salah had put the Reds ahead when the Egyptian scored past Hugo Lloris after a misplaced pass by Eric Dier.

But the hosts were pulled back when Victor Wanyama smashed home an equaliser for Mauricio Pochettino’s side with 10 minutes remaining.

Kane missed a penalty before a late moment of magic from Salah appeared to have handed all three points to Liverpool.

It was not to be, though, as a foul by Virgil van Dijk on Erik Lamela handed Spurs a second penalty which Kane converted to secure a point.

Here were the key talking points from Anfield:

Sitting back costs the Reds

 

It’s been long established that this Liverpool side is not one that can sit back and soak up any form of pressure.

Even the addition of Virgil van Dijk will not transform them into one that can so why Jurgen Klopp elected to try and do so against Tottenham is anyone’s guess.

Liverpool always look more likely to let a lead slip when they try to defend it rather than sticking with their attacking philosophy.

After catching Spurs out on several occasions in a superb first-half performance, the decision to then take their foot off the gas in the second half handed momentum to the visitors.

It ended up costing them as Victor Wanyama’s thunderbolt and Harry Kane’s late penalty saw the visitors walk away with a point.

Both should be a lesson well learned for Klopp, asking his side to go against their natural attacking instincts does no work.

Mixed performance sums up Lovren

 

After the Wembley horror show earlier in the season, Dejan Lovren will have been determined to make a point in this game.

He looked all set to do so too, marking Harry Kane out of the game with an outstanding performance.

Then a mistake at the death meant Harry Kane was onside when Loris Karius fouled him for the first penalty. Nothing could sum up the Croatian more.

A strong performance here would have went a long way to answering some of his critics and perhaps giving his Anfield career a much-need boost.

Instead, his latest error will have eroded any memories of the strong showing that proceeded it and likely left many wondering just how much more time he has in a Liverpool shirt.

Fast starts needed across the board

 

Just as scoring first appears to be a major bonus for Liverpool, so is starting a game quickly in the big games.

Klopp wants his team to come flying out of the blocks, regardless of their opponent and the stats show it is not a ridiculous desire to have.

Mohamed Salah’s early strike means the Reds have now scored inside the opening 20 minutes in six of their last nine home games against the top six.

Those early strikes had seen them go on to secure all three points in five of the last six games, this draw bringing an end to five straight victories.

In the big games, early goals give Liverpool the platform they need to secure the points.

With none of the top six left to travel to Anfield, such quick starts must be enjoyed against the so-called ‘lesser’ sides.

Salah joins the Premier pantheon

 

There is not much left to write about Salah’s sensational season.

While the Egyptian continues to produce and add goals to his tally, though, column inches about him will also continue to grow.

His double here took him to 21 goals in 25 league games and the fastest a Liverpool player has ever reached 20 goals in a season for the club.

Salah is just the fifth Liverpool player to hit that landmark in the Premier League era.

The other four are Robbie Fowler, Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, three of whom who can comfortably consider themselves Anfield legends.

If Salah continues on this current trend, he’ll be among the pantheon of the best too. The stats already have him there.