Liverpool have returned to the top of the Premier League table ahead of Manchester City courtesy of a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.

Roberto Firmino sent Jurgen Klopp's side ahead in the 16th minute, but Lucas Moura came up with a second-half leveller as Tottenham, who are in a serious top-four battle, looked to pick up a point on Merseyside.

A 90th-minute own goal from Toby Alderweireld secured a huge win for the home side, however, leaving them two points clear of champions City, albeit having played one game more.

James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum started as the midfield three for Liverpool as Fabinho and Naby Keita were both left on the bench.

As for Tottenham, Son Heung-min was only on the bench following his exertions during the international break, with Lucas joining Harry Kane in the final third of the field.

Mohamed Salah had the game's first shot in the fifth minute, but the Egypt international's effort was always rising over the Tottenham crossbar, before Lucas had one deflected past the post down the other end.

Lucas was bright for Tottenham in the early exchanges and the Brazilian created a shooting opportunity for Moussa Sissoko in the 11th minute, but the midfielder's effort was always moving wide of Alisson Becker's post.

It was Liverpool that made the breakthrough in the 16th minute, though, when Andrew Robertson charged down the left before delivering a terrific cross onto the head of Firmino, who guided his effort past Hugo Lloris.

Trent Alexander-Arnold fired a long-range strike just wide of the Tottenham post shortly after the goal, before Sadio Mane curled past Lloris's goal as the visitors continued to struggle.

Spurs would have been encouraged by the fact that Alisson was having some nervy moments under pressure, however, while the away side were threatening when they had the chance to break.

Alexander-Arnold hit the post direct from a corner in the 28th minute, though, and Firmino was causing Davinson Sanchez all sorts of problems as the Reds chased a second goal.

Tottenham had another half-chance in the 33rd minute when Dele Alli broke into a dangerous position, but the England international fired over Alisson's goal. Mane then just missed the post with a curling effort down the other end as both teams continued to have bright moments on Merseyside.

There were periods of the first 45 minutes where it seemed like Tottenham could be blown away, but the capital outfit did settle in the latter stages of the half and Mauricio Pochettino will have been encouraged ahead of the second period.

Virgil van Dijk had a big chance to double Liverpool's lead shortly after the restart, but the centre-back headed a Milner cross over the Tottenham crossbar at the far post. Firmino then nodded over the Tottenham goal in the 54th minute as the home side chased a second goal.

Spurs had a golden chance to level the scores in the 56th minute when Alisson palmed a strike from Kane straight into the path of Christian Eriksen, but the attacker's goal-bound strike was deflected over by Robertson.

Salah then had a strike blocked by Alderweireld down the other end as both teams continued to threaten.

Tottenham had their equaliser in the 70th minute, however, when Lucas smashed home from close range after Eriksen had trickled a cross into the Brazilian's path.

Spurs had Kane to thank for his quick thinking in the middle of the park, though, with the England captain cleverly switching a free kick to Trippier, who managed to pick out Eriksen.

Lloris had to tip an Alexander-Arnold effort over the crossbar in the 77th minute as Liverpool chased a second, before Fabinho and Divock Origi both entered for the home side.

Lloris was grateful to jump onto a loose ball inside his own box shortly after, with a corner from Alexander-Arnold hitting Firmino inside the Tottenham penalty area. Origi then had a free kick deflected just wide of the post during a desperate period.

Tottenham had an incredible chance to score a second five minutes from time when Sissoko led a two-on-one before eventually striking towards goal, but his effort was far too high.

Alli then curled just wide of the post as the visitors continued to threaten, but there was heartbreak for the capital outfit in the final minute when Liverpool scored a second.

A deep cross from Alexander-Arnold caused concern inside the Tottenham box - Lloris managed to keep out a header from Salah, but it hit Alderweireld before dropping into the back of the net.

Next up for Liverpool is a trip to Southampton on Friday night, while Tottenham will play at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time on Wednesday night when Crystal Palace visit the new ground.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson (Origi 77'), Wijnaldum, Milner (Fabinho 77'); Mane, Firmino, Salah (Lovren 93')

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (5-3-2): Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez (Son 69'), Vertonghen, Rose; Sissoko, Eriksen (Llorente 92'), Alli; Lucas (Davies 82'), Kane