Jack Hallows looks back at the major talking points from Liverpool FC’s huge 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday afternoon.
Liverpool’s winning run continues!
The Reds have now won five out of five in the Premier League this season, with their latest victory avenging the 4-1 defeat last time they visited Wembley and proving that this team is more than capable of exorcising their demons.
There are definitely a few juicy talking points to get stuck into from this one so let’s get to it!
Improvements needed in the final third
I’m going to sound horrendously bias by saying this but 2-1 flattered Tottenham on Saturday afternoon.
Had Sadio Mané not moved towards the ball after Firmino diverted it goalwards in the first minute and the Reds’ decision making been a little more intelligent throughout, the scoreline would’ve been far more along the lines of the 4-0 victory over West Ham on the opening day.
With Tottenham missing usual shot-stopper Hugo Lloris, Michel Vorm had a tough afternoon in goal with both goals the Reds did score arguably coming from errors by the Dutchman.
The attacking trio looked far more on their game in comparison to the last handful of fixtures, with their combination play looking far slicker and their pressing game combined with their off-ball positioning forcing Spurs midfielders into a number of mistakes.
However, the forwards failed to capitalise on a poor afternoon for the Londoners by time and again making the wrong decision in the final third and snatching at chances.
Sadio Mané and Naby Keïta both wasted good chances in the second half while Mohamed Salah seemed unsure of himself with a good chance in the first half before acting in an uncharacteristically selfish manner in his attempts to get on the scoresheet during the second period.
Jürgen Klopp was seen furiously berating Salah and Mané in particular throughout the final half hour, screaming on one occasion for Salah to “pass the ball!”
It was great to see the Reds creating more chances and forcing mistakes from their opposition once again – especially ahead of a huge fixture with Paris Saint Germain coming up tonight – but the forwards now need to re-discover their instinctive finishing abilities.
Defensive assurance continues
Last time Liverpool visited Wembley to play against Tottenham, I could literally tell you at least two mistakes made by every member of the defensive unit that Klopp fielded that day.
Dejan Lovren had a nightmare, Alberto Moreno and Joe Gomez were constantly too high up the field, Joël Matip’s poor header set up Dele Alli for the third goal perfectly and Simon Mignolet was completely horrendous.
This time around, however, it was the complete opposite.
I don’t have a single bad word to say about any of the Reds’ back five.
The defence is admittedly much changed since that fateful day last October and it really shows just how far Klopp has brought his backline in that time.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s development over the last 12 months has been astounding while Joe Gomez is looking completely at home in the right-sided centre-half spot.
The pair are only 19 and 21 years old respectively but their performances this season so far have been far more fitting of seasoned professionals with hundreds of games under their belt.
They’ve been targeted time and again by opposition attacks due to their perceived ‘inexperience’ but so far, so very good. One tackle by Gomez on Lucas Moura in the second half had me on my feet!
On the left-hand side, it’s a case of ‘have a go at them if you want but good luck!’ with Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson having made all the difference to Liverpool’s defence since being introduced at the start of the calendar year.
We all know how good Virgil is, with his pace, strength and aerial prowess combined with his ability to command the backline, read the game and improve those around him really pushing him into the upper echelon of defenders in the world game.
Robertson though is criminally underrated still!
The Scotsman has all the attributes needed to succeed as a full-back in a Klopp system with his delivery, pace and movement superb when going forward and his positional intelligence combined with one-on-one defending ability making him an equally solid member of the backline.
Finally, the goalkeeper.
Alisson was beaten eventually by Erik Lamela but there was very little the Brazilian could do given how hard the ball was hit and from such a close distance.
The former Roma keeper was solid once again, decisively coming off his line numerous times and showing far more pragmatism on the ball than we’ve seen previously – showcasing his ability and willingness to learn from his errors.
Safe hands, great distribution but overall another less than busy afternoon for the Brazilian. He’ll just be annoyed he didn’t get a fourth clean sheet of the season!
James Milner: Man or Machine?
I feel like a broken record because I talk about Milner practically every week but in all fairness, he just keeps giving me great reason to do so!
The 32-year old was once again incredible against Spurs, covering almost 13km over the 90 minutes, creating three chances, finding a teammate with four successful crosses and completing the most passes in the opposition half of any player on the field (32).
He’d also have had an assist had Firmino’s goal in the opening minute stood!
Other than perhaps adding a little more goal threat to his game, there is nothing that Milner doesn’t do when fielded in the midfield trio.
He’s smart in possession, taking the safe route when he needs to without being afraid to take the occasional risk, provides a composed and snide presence amongst a younger group of players and to top it all off, works tirelessly off the ball, tracking his runners with diligence and snapping into tackles.
After a quiet start to last season, no one would’ve batted an eyelid in January if Milner had decided to push for a move away from the club in the winter transfer window but the Reds’ no.7 has since become such an integral part to Liverpool’s midfield that he’s made himself practically undroppable.
As far as I’m concerned, he starts every game he’s available for.
The Matip sub
Trent Alexander-Arnold off for Joël Matip with just minutes to go.
I said it while watching the game but I will happily say it again and again: I hate this substitution.
I sort of understand why Klopp does it. The change eats up a few precious extra seconds and breaks up the flow of the game while Matip’s presence brings extra height and theoretically composure to the back four.
However, it always seems to make the Reds nervier rather than adding anything resembling composure.
Moving Gomez from centre half to right back is a bizarre enough decision in itself given how well the young Englishman has been doing next to Virgil van Dijk and it seems as if Matip takes a little time to get up to speed with games, resulting in a drop in communication along the back four.
Psychologically it also helps the opposition, portraying concern and telegraphing to them: “we’re on top but I’m worried about the way you’re playing and I’m going to go to extra lengths to protect this lead!”
Even more surprising was the fact that at 2-0 up, Klopp has the perfect opportunity to introduce Shaqiri for one of his misfiring forwards or if extra solidity was what the German was really after, a bow for Fabinho with 10 minutes to go might’ve made more sense.
First test passed
All in all, three points against a top four rival was the perfect way to kick off this next month or so of fixtures.
Four from four was a perfect way to go into the international break but once the Champions League draw was announced, it was always felt that Klopp’s men would be tested with far more regularity from this point in the season onwards.
There are still bigger tests on the near horizon – potentially one as early as this evening when PSG visit Anfield – but a win away to Spurs, something Klopp had not previously managed, is the perfect start.
The Londoners may not have been at their best but this is irrelevant because truthfully, neither were Liverpool, yet the Reds still scythed Pochettino’s men open time and again and if they had been a little more on song, would’ve put plenty more goals past their opposition.
You can only beat what is put in front of you and so far, Liverpool have been fantastic at doing that.
The Reds’ tough run will continue up until the next international break in October but so far, so good.
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