Firmino's late winner sends Liverpool top of Premier League

Pure joy
Roberto Firmino is ecstatic after heading home the winner. Photo: AFP

Liverpool: Roberto Firmino scored with a 90th-minute header as Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 to climb above their opponents to the top of the Premier League.

In a victory reminiscent of so many which carried the Reds to their first title in 30 years last season, Liverpool's relentlessness was rewarded when the Brazil striker powered home a header from Andy Robertson's corner with the clock ticking toward stoppage time on Wednesday.

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho looked sickened, having assumed his side had done enough to earn the point to stay in first place.

Liverpool had comfortably out-shot their opponents during the 90 minutes, in which they enjoyed 76 per cent possession, but saw Mohamed Salah's 26th-minute goal canceled out by Son Heung-min's effort on a breakaway in the first half.

The hosts looked set to be frustrated by Mourinho's rope-a-dope game plan, which the Portuguese coach seemed satisfied enough with to replace midfielder Steven Bergwijn, who hit the post in the second half and looked a threat on the counterattack, with left-back Sergio Reguilon with 15 minutes to go.

But Jurgen Klopp's side has seen this sort of thing before and, encouraged by its opponents' passivity, continued to drive forward. It eventually brought them reward.

Happy boss
A delighted Jurgen Klopp with Firmino at the end of the game. Photo: AFP

How much the victory meant was evident as Klopp, having had words with Mourinho, raced onto the field at the final whistle and lifted Sadio Mane off his feet before embracing each and every one of his players. He then produced his trademark triple fist-pump for the supporters on The Kop.

Liverpool moved three points clear after 13 games.

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