Liverpool Rightly Aggrieved to Settle for a Point Against Spurs
It's been 8 months since Jürgen Klopp took charge of Liverpool and on Saturday he returned to White Hart Lane, the match in which he started his reign. The tactical adaption from was clearly apparent, a shift from the excessive running and pressing at any given moment to his players, but doing it with intelligence, while making movement and intuitive runs, which the Spurs defence struggled to cope with at times. Klopp declared his disappointment with the result this time round, stating his team looked to have enough to win the match.
“Oh my God,” Klopp exclaimed as he threw his arms in the air. This was the German boss' reaction to the disallowed goal that may have earned his side three points. The away end erupted as Liverpool broke with pace with Georginio Wijnaldum, his through ball found Adam Lallana and Mane capped off a explosive counter attacking move only for the flag to be raised. On second viewing, the Senegalese maybe should have had his second Premier League goal of an already impressive campaign. “It was a wonderful goal, huh? Brilliant play. It happens.” Klopp added.
Klopp reflected back on the draw, but was slightly aggrieved not to walk away as victors “We have not [had] the most easy starting programme. Four points from nine is not what I wanted but it’s OK. That’s our platform.”
Klopp admitted Simon Mignolet was their saviour in his first match, and joked it was Michel Vorm who was Spurs' hero this time on a humid afternoon. It took just a few minutes for the stand-in keeper to be put to the test, Philippe Coutinho somehow missed a guilt-edge chance in the third minute, giving Vorm just enough of a sniff to pull off a great low stop. Vorm charged out a number of times to also deny the on-running Mane, who was a constant threat in the first half.
Liverpool finally got their due rewards minutes before the break after Roberto Firmino was tripped by Erik Lamela as his touch took him past his fellow South American. The Brazilian playmaker relished his opportunity up front, hunting and linking up play on any given opportunity in place of Daniel Sturridge. Indeed, his 64 touches across the pitch was the most by any other forward player. James Milner made light work of the penalty in the end, dispatching the ball low to the Vorm’s left to give Liverpool the lead.
Spurs were forced into an early change in the high octane affair and when Kyle Walker went off, Mauricio Pochettino decided to change to a 4-4-2 with Vincent Janssen thrown into the fold. Eric Dier filled in at right-back, proving his versatility with an accomplished performance. Pochettino favoured a direct approach rather than his usually high pressing system in order to counter Liverpool's and it nearly paid dividends. Harry Kane shrugged off the attention of Dejan Lovren, the move ultimately ended with Dele Alli on the edge of the box, but he sliced his effort wide, which was ultimately the best of the host's chances in the first half.
Liverpool started the second half in a similar manner that they ended the first. With fitness issues and controversy still surrounding fan favourite Mamadou Sakho, Joel Matip made his Premier League debut. But the 6’5” Cameroon international nearly made his presence felt at the other end of the pitch, with his effort skimming the crossbar from a corner. Matip managed 10 clearances and three interceptions, a promising introduction as Liverpool look to put a halt to the stream of goals being conceded.
Spurs in truth, were sub-par and apart from those chances, they struggled to find momentum. Harry Kane also floundered, a shadow of the striker who scored 25 goals last season. The England striker still seems to be finding his stride following the Euros, having failed to attempt a shot, while having just one touch in the opposition box this afternoon.
Spurs, though, were boosted by the disallowed goal. Erik Lamela had his free kick attempt from a tight angle tipped over by Mignolet, with the Belgian keeper was called into action seconds later when Toby Alderweireld’s header tested him from the corner. Pochettino's frustration reflected that of the crowd throughout, but it was man of the match Danny Rose who offered mitigation. Rose was at the end of Lamela's flick on as he squeezed his volley in at the near post to draw the match level.
A punishing blow for Liverpool, who should have taken their chances, but a well earned point for the home team who will now look to push on after the international break.
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