Liverpool’s frustrating trend of conceding crucial late goals continued as Tottenham Hotspur snatched a dramatic 1-1 draw at Anfield, leaving the home side ruing another missed opportunity in the race for Champions League qualification.
The Reds looked on course for victory after Dominik Szoboszlai fired them into the lead in the 18th minute. However, Tottenham forward Richarlison struck deep into stoppage time to rescue a point for the visitors and silence the home crowd.
The equaliser marked the eighth time this Premier League season that Liverpool have conceded a goal in the 90th minute or later. Each of those goals has cost them valuable points, a worrying pattern for a team hoping to secure a top-four finish.
Szoboszlai, who had earlier given Liverpool the lead, admitted the team’s frustration following the result.
“I feel flat,” the Hungarian midfielder told Sky Sports. “We have to wake up because if we carry on like this, we should be happy with the Conference League. I honestly don’t know why this keeps happening.”
The draw prevented Liverpool from moving into fourth place in the table and instead left them sitting fifth, just one point ahead of Chelsea. Aston Villa remain in fourth, while Manchester United also continue to push for a Champions League position.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher described the result as a major setback in the race for European qualification.
“This is an absolute disaster in terms of Champions League qualification,” Carragher said on Sky Sports. “Liverpool looked all over the place in the second half. It felt like the goal was coming.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot acknowledged the team’s ongoing defensive issues, particularly in the closing stages of matches.
“We have conceded far too many goals to pick up the amount of points that this club is used to,” Slot admitted. “Every time it happens in the last minute it is an enormous frustration.”
The statistics underline Liverpool’s struggles late in games. The Reds have conceded 15 league goals from the 75th minute onwards this season, more than any other team in the Premier League.
Slot said the goals have come in different ways, making the problem difficult to pinpoint.
“The way we concede is not always the same,” he explained. “Sometimes it is a deflection, sometimes long balls or second balls. But at this stage of the season, it is not a complete surprise when it happens.”
Despite the disappointment, there was a positive note for Liverpool with the performance of 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha. Making his first Premier League start, the youngster impressed with his fearless attacking display.
Ngumoha became the first player since Matheus Cunha in May 2023 to attempt at least seven dribbles in a Premier League match and complete every single one.
Slot praised the teenager’s development and hinted he could feature more frequently in the coming weeks.
“A performance like today will help him get more minutes,” the Liverpool manager said. “He is progressing very well.”
However, Liverpool must quickly refocus as they prepare for a crucial Champions League last-16 second-leg clash against Galatasaray. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, the Reds will need a strong performance — and far greater concentration in the closing stages — to keep their European hopes alive.