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Football London
Football London
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Emma de Duve

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg leaves Antonio Conte with head in hands as huge North London Derby looms

Tottenham's 1-1 draw against Liverpool on Saturday leaves them four points behind Arsenal, ahead of Thursday's North London Derby. Antonio Conte's side produced a solid display at Anfield, but just couldn't find another goal to secure all three points.

In his post match press conference, the Italian explained his mixed feelings. "To have a good result was positive on one hand," he said. "On the other I think maybe we have to be a bit disappointed, and I can see it in the eyes of my players at the end of the game. A bit of disappointment because we had the chances to win [the game]."

READ MORE: Every word Conte said on how long before Tottenham can win the league and catching Arsenal

Spurs had just 35 per cent possession against Jurgen Klopp's side, producing eight shots and three on target. Although Liverpool had 22 shots at goal, they also only had three on target and Tottenham's defence worked well to deal with most of what came their way. Whatever Conte and the Lilywhites thought they deserved from the game, they have had to deal with a point. After the draw and ahead of the North London Derby, football.london takes a look at what the Italian did at Anfield.

Mixed reactions

The shots Tottenham had were produced by seven different players against Liverpool, but it was only Son Heung-min who was able to find the back of the net. The positive for the South Korean is that he now sits just two goals behind Mohamed Salah in the race for the Golden Boot.

The game evoked mixed reactions from Conte on the sidelines. With early chances in the game, he was clapping his side for their attempts. As the game went on and Spurs were struggling to take the lead again, after Luis Diaz's 74th minute goal, you could see the frustration in the Italian's reactions. His facial expressions and hand gestures showed his disappointment with missed chances and when Thiago Alcantara missed an opportunity, he was shouting at his side.

Goal celebration

Usually when his side score, Conte provides an animated celebration but when Son scored before the hour mark at Anfield, it was a more tame response. The 52-year-old still hugged his coaching staff and outstretched his arms in celebration.

However, it wasn't the usual animated reaction. Maybe this was due to a bit of disbelief or because he knew his side still had 35 minutes of the game to play.

Pierre Emile Hojbjerg chances

Arguably Conte's biggest reaction of the game was in response to Hojbjerg's chances, particularly his final one. In the first half, the Dane hit the post after a shot from outside the box. This evoked a slight reaction from the Italian, who jumped up and his face showed he knew it was a good opportunity for his side.

However, it was the 26-year-old's chance in the closing moments of the game which was most disappointing for Conte and Tottenham fans. Emerson Royal crossed the ball into Hojbjerg, who, along with Steven Bergwijn behind him, were completely unmarked in the 94th minute of the contest. The Dane leapt and decided to head the ball across goal towards a waiting Harry Kane, although he got it all wrong and his header ended up going backwards rather than across goal for Kane.

As the midfielder went to head the ball, Conte was on the touchline imitating a strong heading motion. When the chance was wasted, the 52-year-old showed his frustration with his mouth open as he crouched to the floor and had his head in his hands. That opportunity was one of Tottenham's biggest chances to secure all three points at Anfield. It wasn't to be and Spurs now have to get a win against Arsenal, when they play their north London rivals in N17, on Thursday, hoping the Gunners drop points in one of their final two games of the season too, to have any chance of Champions League football next year.

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