The interim head coach looked relieved after picking up his first point at the club
Igor Tudor finally had something to smile about after Tottenham’s dramatic late equaliser at Anfield earned him his first point since taking charge, with Richarlison’s 90th-minute strike silencing the Kop and keeping Spurs one point above the Premier League relegation zone.
It was a result that felt significant given the context. Tottenham had lost all four of Tudor’s previous games, arrived on Merseyside with just 12 senior outfield players available, and had been written off by virtually everyone. What they produced was their most organised and encouraging display in months.
Tudor made no attempt to hide his relief. “I agree, a lot of hard work from the players,” he said. “We had to do the right things to be a team. In the end, you can say we deserve the goal. We tried until the last second.”
“With just two senior outfield players on the bench, it’s not easy, really, so I’m happy. Happy for the players.”
The winning moment came when substitute Randal Kolo Muani, one of only seven players on the bench, controlled a long punt forward, held off both Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk, and laid the ball perfectly into Richarlison’s path.
The Brazilian, who had already had four chances before finally making one count, slotted past Alisson to spark wild celebrations from the travelling end.
Richarlison makes history
It was Richarlison’s fifth Premier League goal at Anfield, a remarkable record at a ground where so few visiting strikers have left with anything.
The Brazilian has now scored more away league goals there than any other player in the competition’s history bar Andy Cole.
The boos that rang around Anfield at full-time told their own story from a Liverpool perspective.
Arne Slot’s side had dominated for long spells, held the lead for over 70 minutes, and still contrived to drop points against a side that had not won a league game since December.
Spurs host Nottingham Forest next weekend in a six-pointer in the battle to beat the drop.
