Super Reds sink Spurs in five goal thriller

Liverpool claimed a thrilling 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield to extend their run of good form and move ahead of neighbours Everton into sixth place in the Premier League table. Despite dominating the first half and bagging the opener, Spurs had the lead soon after the restart thanks to two goals from Jan Vertonghen. Perseverance and a large dose of good fortune allowed the Reds to get back into the match, though, as Downing exploited a dreadful defensive error to equalise before Steven Gerrard's late penalty in front of the Kop clinched all three points for the jubilant home side.

With Pepe Reina out due to a calf strain, Brad Jones made his first appearance since his below-par display versus Oldham in the FA Cup contributed to the Reds' crashing out of the competition. Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher played his 500th Premier League game, as he reached an impressive landmark for potentially the last time in his career. Up front, Suarez, Downing and Coutinho formed a formidable triumvirate behind Daniel Sturridge, who returned from injury.

Brendan Rodgers' side began in the ascendancy, Sturridge shooting into the Anfield Road end and then just losing control of the ball after promisingly rounding goalkeeper Lloris. At the other end, the closely monitored  Gareth Bale fired a free kick goalwards, which Jones nervously beat away.

On 21 minutes, Liverpool's pressure paid off and some passing football of the highest caliber produced the goal it deserved. Coutinho's cute pass found Enrique, whose incisive through ball took out the entire Tottenham back line. Suarez poked underneath Lloris to find the back of the net and claim his 29th goal in all competitions during this campaign.

On fire- Suarez just can't stop scoring

Soon after, Liverpool's claims for a penalty were rejected by referee Michael Oliver after Walker pulled Coutinho in the box to prevent him reaching Suarez's drilled cross.

Tottenham's attack had been largely kept quiet thanks to Liverpool's focus on nullifying the threat posed by Bale, who had been restricted to shots from range that went high and wide. However, the hosts were given a scare when Sigurdsson, who had been one of Rodgers' transfer targets in the summer, fired inches wide when through on goal.

Frustratingly, Spurs netted an arguably undeserved equaliser on the stroke of half time, as Vertonghen rose above Johnson to head Bale's cross into the bottom corner. The timing of the goal was disappointing, deflating the home side and boosting the visitors heading into the interval. This was seen in the start to the second half, which was controlled by Villas-Boas' side. 

After Defoe's shot was just about dealt with by Jones, poor defending from the Reds allowed Bale's free kick to fall to Vertonghen, who powered a left-footed volley beyond Jones and into the corner of the net to complete the reversal and double his personal tally. 

When Sigurdsson's shot was then deflected onto the post by Johnson after a barnstorming run past Gerrard and Carragher by Bale, Liverpool breathed a sigh of relief, as a third goal really would have killed off the contest. Without a change of the flow of momentum, however, a third from Spurs seemed inevitable.

Thankfully, a piece of good fortune was the game-changing event that swung the match in the Reds' favour. A horrendous back pass from Kyle Walker gifted Downing a chance at goal and, after rounding Lloris, the former Villa winger, who has come on leaps and bounds in recent months, kept his composure and fired into the net to level the scores.

Downing profits from poor defending and levels for Liverpool

Back to his best, Downing then flew down the right wing, crossing to the back post where Sturridge headed into the side-netting.

Another piece of woeful defending from Spurs helped Liverpool win the match. Defoe's misjudged pass put Assou-Ekotto under pressure. In the process of trying to clear his lines, he barged into Suarez, who was instantly awarded a penalty by the referee. Spurs could have few complaints. Gerrard took advantage of their needless mistake, netting low to Lloris' left thanks to the knowledge of the keeper's tendency to dive to his right given to him by goalkeeping coach John Achterberg.

Ecstatic- Gerrard cannot hide his delight after netting a late spot kick

It was a terrific way to end an enthralling encounter. To comeback from 2-1 down against the in form Tottenham Hotspur was a remarkable achievement that Liverpool should be praised for. Yes, poor defending and good fortune contributed to their victory, but the Reds still performed competently to take advantage of those factors which, for once, went in their favour.

Liverpool's attack appears to be firing on all cylinders and could propel them to a fantastic end to the season, which may see them leap into the European places. This up-swing in form is finally yielding results against the big teams and, in the long run, appears to be garnering momentum to support Rodgers' plans to re-build and revamp the squad.

For the first time in a while, there is real hope in Kopites' hearts.

YNWA