Liverpool avoided a late scare against nine-men Tottenham Hotspur in a game that ended in chaos at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Arne Slot might have been left with a bitter taste in his mouth on Saturday evening.
Liverpool had been in cruise control - two goals up against a side with ten men, later reduced to nine, when, as they have done all season, seemingly imploded as the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium rallied behind their faltering side.
It's been the story of Liverpool's season; so often have they thrived on chaos, it was the hall mark of their playing style under Jurgen Klopp. They were dragged down to Spurs' level - and almost paid the price by letting their two-goal led disappear.
It hadn't been the best of first half's between the two sides. And a moment of madness from Xavi Simons shocked the game into life.
Simons, a player looking for confidence, went crashing into the back of Virgil van Dijk - raking his studs down the back of his calf. It was initially given as a yellow card, but upgraded to a red when it went to VAR.
Spurs were down to ten and Slot looked to his bench, this was the moment to drive in the knife.
Alexander Isak was summoned and for the first 15 minutes of the second half Liverpool looked like the team that their fans had been dreaming about over the summer.
Florian Wirtz in full flow as Isak found the back of the net. However, their time together was fleeting as a tearful Isak was forced off with an injury he picked up while smashing the ball past Guglielmo Vicario.
Slot's genius decision had sent them ahead - but they now needed to defend the lead. Which was made that much easier when Hugo Ekitike headed home.
However, after a smash-and-grab strike from Richarlison, Liverpool's cracks started to widen once more. Jeremie Frimpong had to be subbed off after he was left bloodied - and furious.
It was utter chaos, and Slot could do nothing but watch as his team was dragged into petty battles across the pitch.
Speaking in the Sky Sports Studio, Jamie Redknapp said: "Where do we start? It was so chaotic and madness.
"Tottenham, for large parts, were so poor, but it was a masterclass from Liverpool in how not to manage the last ten minutes of a game. Tottenham ended up with nine men but they looked like they had 11.
"Frank will go into the dressing room and think 'we did OK there'."