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Liverpool overcame Tottenham 2-1 in a no-frills match for 93 minutes. Here are three things we learned.
If only the excitement of the last two minutes could extend to the first 93! Liverpool dominated the match, forcing a mistake after a Tottenham error. Here are three points to draw from what was planned to be one of the biggest matches of the season.
Liverpool rolls
If you're wondering if Liverpool is really a threat to Manchester City, do not worry anymore. Of course, Liverpool had taken the lead with the best goal differential in the Premier League, but they had not played one of the big six yet, and Jurgen Klopp's heavy metal football tends to overtake the weakest. It was difficult to glean too much from their first games.
Today, Liverpool has not overwhelmed the Spurs with their high flying attack; instead, they capitalized on the Spurs 'mistakes each time, bringing them to the midfield and eliminating the Spurs' attacking life. The difference in style was noticeable not only looking at the caliber of the opponent, but also projecting what Liverpool can accomplish this season.
In the past, while Klopp had teams playing offensive and elegant football, they were open to late goals and mental slippage. Against the biggest clubs, they sometimes had difficulties, as shown by the recent Premier League matches between these two clubs. Despite the beauty of Erik Lamela, the organized outing organized by Klopp has materialized. Assuming this is a sign of things to come and that Klopp has not only slightly adjusted his tactics, but has also added staff to consolidate some weaknesses, Liverpool should hit much more fear in the hearts of opponents than last season.
We are ready for a one-season battle for the title. It can only be a two horse race, but Liverpool has every right to say that they are equal to Manchester City so far.
The defense of reds is real
We had a late soap opera thanks to a Spurs goal in the 93rd minute. While it threatened to reverse the story, the truth remains: Liverpool has become a defensive beast.
The variety of ways that Liverpool can now stop his opponents is really something. Klopp's press will still take possession of the pitch for the strikers, and in the past it is the first and only line of defense for his clubs. Today, the midfielder has taken the reins and Liverpool has spent less time at the break and more time forcing Spurs turnarounds.
When the press does not work, it often leaves the bottom line completely open and vulnerable. Against an attack by the Spurs who can stand behind almost anyone, opportunities were rare. The defensive evolution of Liverpool has been going on for months, but it is clear that it is not an aberration. They conceded a goal if you exclude the neutral moment for Alisson against Leicester.
When their press is running and the back line is playing well, Liverpool is a complete team. Perhaps the most complete of the league. We learned everything about this group now. Until they get their shot at the defending champions, all we can say is that they are among the best.
Missing Spurs tell a story
The clash, and possibly the final score, can be explained in large part by Spurs' critical players who could not take the field today.
With Dele Alli, Mauricio Pochettino turned to Harry Winks in a midfielder three with Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele. While Winks has been a player with a lot of potential for a few seasons now, he has missed most of the past two seasons due to an injury and was making his first start of the season. This midfield battle was incredibly one-sided. Winks, frankly, was not very good. Apart from a few moments of the Renaissance at Dembele, the Spurs constantly gave the ball and had trouble stringing passes. Part of the reason Harry Kane seemed non-existent was that the Spurs could not build the ball with this makeshift midfielder.
However, the lack of a Spurs pillar was even more evident between the pipes. Captain Hugo Lloris has been busy lately, but it was a thigh injury, not his legal problems, which kept him out of the way. Michel Vorm, the long-time substitute, took the start and made an uninteresting performance. A bad shot by Vorm prevented Tottenham from clearing the ball and Vorm had a chance to stop. The second goal bounced off the post and flew directly into his arms to fall to Roberto Firmino's feet. This is not the first big match where Vorm hesitated to relieve Lloris. In the FA Cup semi-final last season, its shortcomings were blamed on Manchester United's winning goals.
The depth of the Spurs was questioned early in the season, with midfield injuries highlighting the lack of summer rookies. But no Lloris has done more harm to the Spurs, and in games against the best clubs, Tottenham can not do without their first choice.
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