Three years ago, the last time when Liverpool weren’t in any European Competition, they had a brilliant start to their domestic campaign – 3 wins from 3. Fast forward three years and it’s a different story all together, still trying to find their identity and being labelled “The Consistently Inconsistent Team” of the Premier league.
Saturday’s early kickoff saw them take a trip to White Hart Lane, their fourth away game of the season (taking the EFL into account). Liverpool started of in full throttle with the front four pulling the Spurs’ defence apart left, right and center. Firmino slipped in a delicious ball for Coutinho who should’ve scored only for Vorm to save it on the line with an extended leg. Liverpool were a class apart and their deserved goal came from a James Milner penalty close to half time. Firmino chased a loose ball and drifted into the penalty box only for Lamela to trip him down with a challenge on the Brazilian’s heel. And the resultant penalty was dispatched off calmly by Milner. Perhaps they were making it up for putting in a dreadful and lifeless display against Burnley last week. The midweek EFL fixture helped them to get back to scoring goals, freely and fluidly and the movement could be seen by the front four in the first half as well.
But the second half was a different story all together. A powerful header by Matip, just over the bar and a deadly counter attacking goal by Mané ruled out for offside were the last of Liverpool’s dominance over the game as Tottenham, slowly and steadily came back from the dead. Mignolet produced a brilliant save from a bullet header by Toby Alderweireld and Eriksen shot well wide despite having tonnes of space and time to shoot from a cut back by Kane. They finally levelled the game when Danny Rose rushed in from the flank to score into the bottom right corner after Lamela overran a heading chance to a Eric Dier cross.
As the game finished 1 – 1, Klopp would’ve felt his team should’ve nicked the game from Tottenham’s grasp considering the amount of relentless running and pressing they did the entirety of the match. His methods seem to be working out on the pitch despite taking more time than first thought of. Matip looks to be a steal (and a steel)for Liverpool, with his calm and composed nature of play together with his partnership with Lovren, a sign of good things to come for a backline which was easy pickings for pundits all over. Sturridge served his supposed punishment for his midweek outcry in the media by taking a place on the bench and not coming on until late into the second half. Sturridge has been, is and will be the greatest ever Reds striker, if the goals to game ratio is taken into account. And if he doesn’t be flexible to Klopp’s liking, then it’s more than likely he’ll be partnering Andy Carroll up front at West Ham next season.
Tottenham as usual the case may be are struggling for goals just like their talisman Harry Kane. They are desperate for fluidity and can’t keep up with the high pressing of teams this season. Dele Alli looks a troubled kid in his sophomore year in high school doing anything and everything other than what’s required of. With the skipper and stopper Hugo Loris injured there looks to be no proper leader on the pitch (no disrespect to Harry Kane – too young to be leading a team tbh). With the way their playing, hassling and harrying their way out of games, and with the Champions League kicking off soon, Tottenham look more likely to scrape into the top six than challenge for top prize.
With the international break up next week, both teams can regroup and come back, rejuvenated fighting tooth and nail for a place in the top four. Hoping for an injury free Intl. break, and for even more exciting action come September.
Until next month,
S.A.Arun
Get in There Son 