5 things we learned from Liverpool 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur played out a two-all draw in the Premier League last night, in what was a thrilling encounter for a place in the top four.
With two of the league’s top scorers on either side, this match was also billed as ‘Salah versus Kane’ and it was the Egyptian who drew first blood for the hosts with a third minute opener.
An extended period of domination followed for Liverpool but they struggled to make it count and Spurs hit back with a late equalizer by Victor Wanyama. The midfielder lashing one in from 20 meters out.
Just minutes later, Tottenham were given the opportunity to turn the match in their favour, as Loris Karius fouled Harry Kane for a penalty. The Englishman dusted himself off, only to have his effort saved by the German.
A minute into stoppage time and Liverpool thought they had won it, thanks to Salah’s second of the match, but with seconds left to play, Spurs were awarded another penalty due to a Virgil van Dijk foul on Erik Lamela.
Kane once again stepped up, sending Karius the wrong way and scoring a landmark goal to see the match end 2-2. Here are five things we learned from the tight affair.
#1 Liverpool’s pressing game was excellent
Manager Jürgen Klopp may have played down suggestions of revenge – his side lost 4-1 to their opponents in the reverse fixture – ahead of this match, but Liverpool’s first half performance and patches of it in the second half proved the Reds had learned an important lesson from Wembley: never allow Spurs time on the ball.
When Tottenham fans or pundits did their official player ratings following this match, one can’t imagine Mauricio Pochettino’s players would’ve received huge amounts of credit for their influence on this match, as their opponents ensured it’s limitation for the longest period possible.
Almost every time Spurs when in possession, five seconds were barely afforded to them. Klopp’s players were after the ball like a swarm of bees buzzing after honey.
It was the kind of performance that would’ve left Spurs fans wondering where their best players in Dele Alli, Son Heung-min and Christian Eriksen were and Liverpool fans looking forward to more consistent performances in the future.