This game swung Liverpool’s way the moment Virgil van Dijk did just enough to force Moussa Sissoko to blaze over the bar when clean through on goal.
It was a magnificent piece of defending. You will not find it in any coaching manual.
With Tottenham mounting a quick counter-attack, Van Dijk found himself outnumbered with Sissoko running with the ball to his left and Son Heung-min available for a pass on his right.
What sets Van Dijk apart is the way he thinks clearly in the most pressurised moments.
He knew that if Son was put through, the ball would be in the back of the net. Sissoko, by contrast, has not scored all season.
Van Dijk positioned himself to block the pass at all costs while closing down Sissoko just enough to force him into a snap shot.
His smart, instinctive thinking in the heat of battle earned Liverpool a crucial win.
