The Pak Banker

Harry Kane rescues Spurs in Liverpool thriller

- LONDON

Harry Kane scored a lastgasp penalty equaliser just minutes after missing another spotkick in Tottenham's breathtaki­ng 2-2 draw at Liverpool. After falling behind when Mohamed Salah punished a mistake from Eric Dier in the third minute at Anfield, Tottenham hit back to equalise through Kenya midfielder Victor Wanyama's blistering 20-yard drive with 10 minutes left.

Tottenham wasted a chance to take the lead when Kane saw his 85th-minute penalty saved by Loris Karius, who had been penalised for bringing down the England striker. Salah looked set to make Kane pay for that mistake in the first minute of stoppage time as the Egypt winger danced his way through the Tottenham defence to slot in a sublime goal.

But in the final seconds, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk conceded a controvers­ial penalty with a soft challenge on Erik Lamela. This time, Kane held his nerve to net his 100th Premier League goal as he stroked his spot-kick past Karius to cap an incredible finale. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was furious with the second penalty decision and confronted referee Jon Moss on the pitch after the final whistle.

"The result was massively influenced by decisions. The first (penalty) was clear offside, unbelievab­le," Klopp said. "For the second, Virgil van Dijk touches him, but we all know Lamela wants the touch. A situation in the last minute like that? Wow. He (the official) wanted to be middle of interest and he is."

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino inevitably saw it differentl­y. "Both were a penalty and nothing to say, it is not controvers­ial - it is nothing," he said. "Sometimes people complain about the referee, but when they are right it is good to tell everyone."

Liverpool remain in third place, while Tottenham stay two points behind Klopp's side in fifth. Tottenham are one point behind fourth-placed Chelsea as the battle hots up to qualify for next season's Champions League via a topfour finish.

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