Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by a resilient Tottenham Hotspur.
Son Heung-Min handed the visitors a second-half lead with an easy finish after Ryan Sessegnon and Harry Kane had carved open the Reds’ defence.
But Luis Diaz drew Jurgen Klopp’s side level with 15 minutes remaining as his long-range effort found The Kop’s net via a deflection by Rodrigo Bentancur.
The result moved Liverpool ahead of Manchester City in the Premier League table on goal difference before the champions take on Newcastle on Sunday.
Here were the key talking points from Anfield:
Proven point on a tough night
The deflation when Michael Oliver called time on this game was palpable.
Anfield reverted to previously banished levels of despondency after Liverpool failed to extend a winning run in all competitions to seven straight matches.
Two points dropped in the Premier League title race? Potentially, yet optimists would class it more a hard-earned point against a stubborn Tottenham team.
Jurgen Klopp’s side dominated both possession and chances for large parts but, in contrast to their most recent outings, clinical edge was sorely lacking.
They were not helped by the visitors defending stoutly; often throwing their bodies into the line of fire from varying angles in order to ward off danger.
How costly failing to break down Spurs will immediately prove to the Reds’ bid to dislodge Manchester City is set to become clear early on Sunday evening.
With a handful of games still remaining, Luis Diaz’s equaliser could become a priceless one if it helps swing the balance of power in just over a fortnight.
…but Reds caught on the counter
Playing the underdog has often suited Liverpool throughout Klopp’s tenure.
In reality, however, they still struggle on the rare occasions when they are required to play on the back foot, especially in their ongoing Anfield fortress.
Not since Norwich City took a surprise second-half lead during an eventual 3-1 defeat in February had the Reds fallen behind in a home league game.
This time around they cannot say it did not come with fair warning as Spurs’ carefully laid trap indulged their hosts’ penchant for pressing at the outset.
Antonio Conte’s master plan culminated in the Londoners staging several ruthless counter attacks from which they carved open Liverpool’s defence.
Only their chronic lack of finishing offered Klopp’s title hopefuls any reprieve.
The Liverpool manager will doubtless be asking questions how, and why, they were able to ghost through his backline with such relative ease so routinely.
Kopites must keep the faith
At full time, Spurs’ travelling fans gleefully chanted about how they had effectively derailed the quadruple season by holding Liverpool to a draw.
One trophy already in the cabinet and a further two to contest later this month clearly begs to differ, but their gloating still punctured Kopites’ nerves.
Klopp’s aims to disabuse players and supporters alike of the notion that this was a major opportunity lost manifested in typically blunt form post-match.
Premature defeatism does not alter the fact that the destiny of the title race is no more in their hands than it had been prior to kick-off on Saturday night.
City have held the balance of power for the majortiy of the current campaign and barring any shock results before May 22, that is still unlikely to change.
Until it is proven mathematically impossible to catch up with Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions, Liverpool need to keep the faith until the very last.
Without it, a potentially memorable season will sink without a trace.