Anfield held its breath, fearing the worst, awaiting the damaging blow to Liverpool's Premier League title aspirations.
After a Liverpool attack had once again floundered in the second half, a couple of passes later and suddenly Moussa Sissoko was clear on goal for Tottenham Hotspur.
For the visitors, in the ascendancy after the interval and fully deserving Lucas Moura having equalised Roberto Firmino's early opener, it was the chance for the winner they merited.
For Liverpool, with mere minutes remaining, time stood still.
Except as Sissoko hared down on Alisson Becker, the retreating Virgil van Dijk could sense what later replays made patently obvious.
Sissoko didn't fancy it. The midfielder was desperate to make a return to pass to Heung-Min Son, racing in from the right but shielded by Van Dijk.
What followed was an example of textbook defending and understanding your opponent.
Van Dijk knew Son had the better chance of scoring. Sissoko knew it. And by the time the Liverpool defender, having jockeyed Sissoko to the edge of the area, closed in on the man in possession, the eventual shot was hurried and horribly over the bar.
Should Sissoko have scored? Undoubtedly.
Liverpool player ratings vs Tottenham - Andy Robertson brilliant but Van Dijk Man of the Match
But Van Dijk was aware Son had the better opportunity, and gambled on Sissoko demonstrating why he has scored precisely one goal in three years.
All this happened in a matter of seconds. So many decisions to make, every one pitch perfect from Van Dijk whose overall defensive performance was another to cherish.
It will never make a highlights reel. It will no doubt soon be lost to the midst of time as more chapters of this tense, enthralling Premier League title race are written.
But there will not be a more intelligent, composed piece of defending seen in the top flight this season.
Jurgen Klopp explains why Fabinho isn't starting for Liverpool against Tottenham
Sissoko's miss turned the match.
Liverpool , moments later, had the win when Hugo Lloris dropped Mohamed Salah's header on to the unlucky Toby Alderweireld and the ball trickled over the line.
You make your own luck at this level. Liverpool player ratings vs Tottenham - Andy Robertson brilliant but Van Dijk Man of the Match about how Van Dijk kept on track the title hopes of Jurgen Klopp's side.
