Liverpool drop points against relegation-fighting Tottenham: Are the Reds set to lose out on a Champions League spot?

Mo Salah and co. are looking completely blunt up front. (Image credits – Heute; licence details).

Richarlison’s last-minute strike at Anfield saw Liverpool draw 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Igor Tudor's side gained a valuable point away from home against the Reds in their relegation fight with Nottingham Forest and West Ham United. However, the Reds lost two important points in their bid to finish in the top four this season.

Liverpool’s player of the season so far, Dominik Szoboszlai, continued his superb form with his fourth free-kick goal of the season to hand the home side an early advantage in the game. Spurs keeper Vicario got his hands to it, but such was the precision by the Hungarian midfielder that it pierced through his hands. Coady Gakpo, Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike came close to scoring Liverpool’s second goal, but their weakness in front of goal this season came back to haunt them again.

Deep in the 90th minute, Richarlison bagged a stunning goal to snatch two points from Liverpool’s hands and give Igor Tudor his first point of his Spurs career. With this draw, Spurs also ended their losing streak in the Premier League, which will give them some confidence ahead in the remaining fixtures.

Arne Slot's side paid the price for losing intensity in the end, and it has been the story of their season. They have conceded eight goals in the league in the 90th minute or later, which is the most they have scored in a single season since the 2010-11 season. The Reds have also lost seven points from winning positions this season at Anfield, which used to be their impenetrable fortress.

Even against a Tottenham side riddled with injuries, a poor run of form, instability at the back and on the verge of getting relegated, Liverpool missed an opportunity to go fourth in the table. The Reds now sit fifth in the table with 49 points, 2 points behind Aston Villa sitting in fourth position. The supporters seemed frustrated at Anfield, and certain sections even began leaving after the Brazilian equalised for Spurs.

They had the opportunity to leapfrog Chelsea and Aston Villa with a win over Tottenham at Anfield. The team which used to dominate this fixture under Jurgen Klopp seemed amateurs on Sunday as Arne Slot's in-game management continues to frustrate the fans. Loud boos echoed throughout Anfield as the full-time whistle blew, and it's not looking good for the Dutchman’s future at the club, as whatever Klopp built was based on the supporters' trust. However, it's not looking like a similar scenario for the former Feyenoord boss.

Having lost against Galatasaray 1-0 in the Champions League RO16, this fixture was the opportunity to gain some confidence ahead of the return leg at home on Tuesday, especially against a side which is low on confidence and when they were missing key players due to suspension or injuries. The Reds' attack has been toothless this season, often seeming to be clueless in the final third. Whereas, at the back, problems persist, as it has become a habit to concede goals casually in the end.

"I think it is understandable for fans to be frustrated because it has happened already so many times that they have seen the home team not picking up the points they're expecting due to goals conceded in the last minute," Slot said in his post-match conference. (sic)

He added, “We are all frustrated -- that is completely clear. It is now up to me and the players to take that frustration to Wednesday evening and show the fans the performance and result they deserve because the fans have been supportive all season for us. If it happens so many times that they are frustrated at the end of games or after the final whistle, that makes complete sense to me.” (sic)

Liverpool's campaign already looks bleak as the Premier League is way out of reach, and realistically the Champions League seems a harder reach as well with their current form compared to the other sides'. The FA Cup could possibly be the only hope of some silverware this season, and things could be worse if they fail to even finish top four this season. Time is running out from Arne Slot's hands to get things together at the club, and after the performance against Tottenham doubts have started to arise within the club as well regarding the Dutchman.