Tottenham Hotspurs FC 1-1 Liverpool FC – Post Match Opinion
Liverpool came away from White Hart Lane with a share of the spoils this afternoon, securing a draw against Mauricio Pochettino’s subdued Tottenham Hotspur side. A first half penalty from James Milner gave the visitors the lead before Danny Rose popped up with an equaliser midway through the second half.
Jürgen Klopp was at last able to field his first choice central defensive pair in Dejan Lovren and January Bosman signing Joel Matip. Either side of them was Nathaniel Clyne, and James Milner preferred at left back to the error-prone Alberto Moreno. A midfield three of Adam Lallana, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum supported Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané.
The fact that Klopp decided to play leave out outspoken Daniel Sturridge in my opinion, sent a message that public complaints will not be tolerated. The England international was clearly unhappy with the situation. C’est la vie. We have seen this on three occasions now. Mamadou Sakho, Moreno and now Sturridge have all been cast aside, despite pubic “support” from the manager. Klopp: a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a snake in the grass, or simply a pain in the a*se? You decide. I prefer the former.
Liverpool overall, can be disappointed not to have taken all three points in a match they mostly dominated. Indeed most possession fell to the visitors (although after the Burnley result, we know this doesn’t count for much), more telling 13 shots convey an attacking intention, despite the fact that the hosts had more shots on target (4 versus 3). Not a surprising stat given the profligacy the Reds often show in front of goal.
Spurs ‘keeper Michael Vorm done well early on to keep out Coutinho’s close range shot after being teed up by his compatriot Firmino. The hosts only came to life after Simon Mignolet parried away an Eric Dyer free kick which signalled a spell of pressure from the hosts.
Overall, Liverpool defended quite well and Matip is showing the signs of having the cool head to compliment his erratic partner Lovren. He is a similar player to Sakho with good passing skills, although not of course, as ungainly looking as the Frenchman.
In the 43rd minute, the visitors were given fair reward for their pressure when Erik Lamela brought Firmino down as the Brazilian burst into the hosts penalty box. Robert Madley pointed to the spot. Milner cooly slotted to the left. Vorm, opting to dive the wrong way. 0-1 Liverpool and good value.
The second half saw Tottenham focus their efforts on the Liverpool left trying to take advantage of perceived weakness in the visitors’ back line. For the most part, Milner stood firm. The hosts pushed on and Wijnaldum went close when put through by the industrious Firmino. Matip headed onto the bar from a Milner corner.
The Reds should have had the game wrapped up when Lallana centred for Mané who’s volleyed point-blank shot was ruled out for offside. Alas, Lallana was in an offside position when he picked up the through ball from Firmino. This seemed to wake the hosts up with the prospect of their first loss of the season looming large.
Christian Eriksen shot narrowly over from a centre – from the Liverpool left. Mignolet
pulled off two quality saves from Lamela and Toby Alderweireld to keep the Reds ahead. Shortly afterwards, Eric Dier got the better of Milner to put a cross over from… yes, the Liverpool left – which was flicked on seemingly into clear space. However, Danny Rose seized the loose ball and shot beneath the mingled Mignolet and Clyne.
Klopp said after the game “We have to accept a point, as this is Tottenham!”. A fair summary I suppose. It’s almost a year since the German’s first game as Liverpool manager at White Hart Lane. A good time to compare. One would have to say this current team is better. Not a million miles better, but noticeable.
The inaugural match under Klopp was played on the adrenaline that came with his appointment. All running and very little of real quality. This time, the play was much better. The attack was more measured and creative. The defence (marginally) more solid.
Overall a decent result, but leaves us short of my 10 point target for the first five games. Which, it doesn’t take a genius to work out is now impossible. A sign of things to come? Very likely. LFC are now less likely to finish in the top four, barring a substantial (and I mean substantial) improvement. Two wins are needed from the next two games in order to keep pace. Against Leicester and then Chelsea. No pressure! At least the first one is at home.
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