Fighting back

As an American Liverpool fan, my Saturday/Sunday morning ritual usually consists of getting out of  bed (sometimes fairly early for a weekend) and finding the best internet link to watch the Liverpool game on my computer. I've grown so accustom to this that it almost feels like a treat to see ESPN picking up the occasional game. It still baffles me that the major American broadcasting companies aren't buying more into the best overall league for the world's most popular sport. Even with soccer moving into the second most popular sport for Americans between the ages of 12 and 24.

This past Sunday was no exception to the usual routine. I was a little wary of the impending result for the Reds, primarily because they haven't been able to put together a solid performance against a top team this season. Tottenham were coming into the game sitting in the top 4 of the EPL. The Spurs were riding high on the stellar form of their Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale. I'll be completely honest, I figured we would give them a run for their money, but in the end Bale would pull out some heroic goal like he'd done several times recently. I don't think that seemed too far-fetched as the Spurs hadn't lost since December. I'm glad I was wrong...

Early on Liverpool seemed a little slow, but it didn't take much time for the club to get into the game. Once again, you could tell Coutinho came to play. It seems his performance in the club's last game boosted his confidence. 20 minutes in he played a cheeky back-heel pass to a forward-charging Enrique, who eventually played it back. Coutinho then played a threading through ball back to Enrique at the top of Tottenham's box, who then brilliantly found Suarez. And Suarez being Suarez quickly tapped it in before Spurs's keeper, Lloris could cover the near post. Beautiful build up from the young Brazilian, equally impressive finish from the Uruguayan.

Following the first goal, Liverpool seemed to take their foot off the gas. I likened it to how the U.S. National Team often reacts after scoring a goal. And in similar fashion, Tottenham eventually took advantage of the dazed play of Liverpool. Jan Vertonghen equalized right before half-time from a perfect cross sent in by, guess who? Gareth Bale.

Brendan Rodgers has been known for his half-time pep-talks and team adjustments. I was expecting to see Liverpool come out after half with fire in their eyes. Whatever fire there was, if any, was quickly extinguished by a go-ahead goal from Vertonghen in the 53rd minute. Liverpool seemed to be asleep during many of Spurs's set pieces. This was no exception, with the defender putting in a quick-reaction shot.

At this point in the game, I was getting that all too familiar feeling of watching a team (supposedly on the rise) come so close to beating a quality side, but coming up short in the end. Although, like a true Liverpool fan, I couldn't forget the countless times the Reds had put together last minute miracles. In the 66th minute, Stewart Downing smashed home an embarrassingly bad back pass to Lloris. Hope was restored at Anfield with a deep exhale from the stands. 2-2 boys and girls.

I would have been okay with this game ending in a draw. Tottenham were a team that was experiencing an impressive undefeated streak, as well as the club with one of Europe's most in-form players Gareth Bale. But Liverpool had proven they could fight back (whether it was with a bit of luck or not). So needless to say in the 83rd minute when Suarez was brought down in the box by an Assou-Ekotto forearm to the face, I was elated to see the penalty given. A few exclamatory expletives may have escaped my breath when Stevie G banged in the PK to put Liverpool up 3-2. After a few nervous closing minutes, GAME OVER! Liverpool 3, Tottenham 2.

With a result like that, it's hard not to buy into Liverpool making a run in to a Champions League spot. Walk on boys!

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