Always one of the big games in the calendar, we've enjoyed some fantastic encounters against Liverpool at home over the years - with the Reds back in N17 on Saturday (5.30pm UK) here are six of the best - spanning the start of the Premier League in 1992/93 right up to that late, late winner in 2023...
Our first-ever Premier League encounter with Liverpool came 14 games into the inaugural season of the new competition back on Halloween in 1992, with a magnificent goal from Nayim the highlight of the afternoon. Both sides were going through a transitional stage and that was reflected in the league positions at the time, as we sat five places off the bottom and Liverpool just five places above us. While the visitors may have had the better of the first half, we scored the goals in the second period to take the points. The opener was magnificent, as Gary Mabbutt headed Neil Ruddock’s free-kick square to Nayim, whose dipping 25-yard volley flew over David James. And we wrapped things up when Nayim’s corner found Ruddock and he scored his first league goal for Spurs.
Ledley King made his Spurs debut as a substitute in a 3-2 defeat at Anfield in May 1999, but had only featured a further three times for us when he was selected to face the Reds again in November 2000. The Academy graduate was joined in the starting line-up by fellow youth product Alton Thelwell, who was making his professional debut and the pair both rose to the challenge on what was another great victory over the Merseysiders. Up against a formidable strike-force of Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler, the youngsters acquitted themselves well, even though Fowler did open the scoring after just 18 minutes. By half-time though, we were ahead, as Les Ferdinand and Tim Sherwood each scored and we held on during the second period for a fantastic victory.
Rock bottom of the Premier League at the time, confidence was in short supply here at Spurs when Liverpool arrived at White Hart Lane in November 2008. Harry Redknapp’s recent appointment had helped to lift the mood though and our dramatic 4-4 draw at Arsenal four days earlier was certainly a step in the right direction. But we feared the worst when Dirk Kuyt blasted home to give the visitors a third minute lead, assisted by a familiar face in Robbie Keane. Darren Bent sliced against his own post, Steven Gerrard hit the woodwork twice and Heurelho Gomes made a string of fine saves as Liverpool dominated. But, when Jamie Carragher headed into his own net on 70 minutes to level the scores, momentum swung our way and we completed an unlikely comeback when Bent crossed for Roman Pavlyuchenko to score a 90th-minute winner.
Having been hammered 1-5 at White Hart Lane by Manchester City in our opening home league game of 2011/12, it was with some trepidation that we welcomed Liverpool for our second Premier League game in N17. New signings Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor made their home debuts for us and we made a dream start with the imperious Luka Modric scoring a stunning 25-yard curler on seven minutes. Our task was certainly helped by two red cards to Kenny Dalglish’s side, Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel receiving their marching orders either side of half-time. Jermain Defoe doubled our lead on 66 minutes, while Adebayor marked his home debut with a brace, his second coming with the last kick of the game.
Wembley Stadium hadn’t quite felt like home when we entertained Liverpool there in October 2017. Our temporary accommodation while Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was being built, we’d struggled to find our feet at the national stadium, losing to Chelsea, drawing with Burnley and Swansea and only just edging past Barnsley (League Cup) and Bournemouth with 1-0 wins. But this was the day it all changed as we blew Jurgen Klopp’s side away. Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son struck early, Mo Salah pulled one back but Dele scored on the stroke of half-time to leave us in control. Kane’s second on 56 minutes completed the scoring and we only lost one other league game at Wembley that term, to champions-elect Manchester City in April.
This was the seventh of our 10-match unbeaten run under Ange Postecoglou at the start of the 2023/24 campaign - and the second dramatic climax in front of the South Stand on the trot, after the win against Sheffield United. This was another incident-packed encounter with Liverpool reduced to nine men for the last 20 minutes. The visitors had an opener ruled out by VAR before Heung-Min Son slotted home for 1-0 from Richarlison's pass. Curtis Jones was sent off after 26 minutes but Liverpool levelled before the break through Cody Gakpo. Diogo Jota, off the bench for the second half, picked up two yellow cards, but the nine men held firm, with Alisson keeping out James Maddison and Son. We had time for one last attack - Pedro Porro rifled over a low cross and Joel Matip sliced into his own net - cue pandemonium in N17!