For seven minutes, it is no exaggeration to say that Liverpool’s title hopes hung in the balance. The alarm bells had started to ring from the moment that the substitute, James Milner, miscued high into the sky and Virgil van Dijk extended his arms, looked at his goalkeeper, Alisson, and wondered where he was. Alisson had been a virtual bystander up until the 74th minute, such was his team’s control but there he was – or wasn’t – when Van Dijk needed him the most.
What happened next appeared to unfold in slow motion. Alisson did reach Van Dijk’s back header first, ahead of Ryan Babel, the former Liverpool winger but, inexplicably, he challenged with his feet, rather than plunging low to gather with his hands. Perhaps, Alisson was worried that he had left his area. He had not. Cue the ricochet, a tap in for Babel and a major flutter for the travelling support.
Related: Liverpool go back to the top with Milner’s late penalty at Fulham
Related: Jürgen Klopp loves it too much at Liverpool to be swayed by Beckenbauer
Continue reading...