Visualized: Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham

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Match data from WhoScored, except average position from the SofaScore app. 



It is more than fitting that we end this campaign with a defensive masterclass.

2016-17, 2017-18, Liverpool sides defined by the heights hit in attack. Salah, Mané, Firmino just tearing' shit up. Liverpool sides that were tremendously fun. But Liverpool sides which won fuck all.

That ain't this Liverpool side.

It has been a long process getting Liverpool's defense to the level where an early goal can mean 88 minutes of defensive shell and that defensive shell actually holding firm for said minutes.





Yes, yes, Premier League only, because that's what I've got on-hand, but the Champions League has seen similar. The shots allowed this season have been vastly less threatening, the opposition are putting fewer on-target, and Liverpool's goalkeeper has saved more of them. This shouldn't be news to anyone who's seen Liverpool this season and last.

There's Virgil van Dijk. Alisson Becker. But, again, team. Joël Matip starting the season as fourth choice but finishing with an admittedly half-fit Harry Kane in his pocket. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, in attack but also at the back. Fabinho. Gomez for the first half of the season, Lovren when fit and needed.

On Saturday, there's Van Dijk's last man tackle on Son's break in the 75th minute. Alexander-Arnold's crucial block on Dele Alli in the 54th minute. Alisson's eight saves, all of them after the 65th minute. Liverpool may well not win without those moments. There are a lot of defensive moments like that we can point to all season long, whether Napoli in the group stage or Barcelona a few weeks ago or etc etc etc.

There have been multiple reasons for the defensive improvement. Here's one.

Alisson Becker, Liverpool 18-19 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE radar and shots faced. pic.twitter.com/DlsmCRnvav

— StatsBomb (@StatsBomb) June 3, 2019

Otherwise known as the guy who made eight saves between the Tottenham's first substitution and Liverpool's second goal.

And while we've seen the most statistical improvement in the Premier League, Liverpool's defense has been better in the Champions League this season as well. A bit. Just nowhere near as much compared to the league improvement.



I'm more than willing to credit that to the opposition. Liverpool's run last year was easier, even if easier is very much a relative term. The group included a side which ended up seventh in La Liga, a side which finished third in Russia, and the second-placed Slovenian side; the knockout rounds had Manchester City, but also Porto (1st in Portugal) and Roma (3rd in Italy). We had Liverpool's goal-average insanely boosted by 7-0 wins over Spartak and Maribor, but there were more impressive five-goal performances against Roma and Porto.

This year, we had the mega-rich runaway Paris St-Germain, Italy's second best side in Napoli, and Serbian Champions Red Star Belgrade in the group; the German winners, Spanish winners, and Portuguese runners-up in the knockout rounds. No European fixture is truly easy, etc, but that's an awful lot of league winners that Liverpool had to beat to lift this trophy for the sixth time.

There isn't a ton to analyze from Saturday's match because of Liverpool's early penalty. It truly defined the game, and led Liverpool to play quite a bit differently than I expect they would have without scoring in the first few minutes. Had Liverpool's attack played like *that* in a match that stayed 0-0, who knows.

But that penalty also led to a match which demonstrated just how far Liverpool have come at the back. And that's more than good enough for me.

So Saturday was and wasn't in keeping with a lot of what we'd already seen this season. Sure, that was Liverpool's least possession and lowest passing accuracy in a match this season. We saw few dangerous opportunities on the break, no shots or key passes from Mané, probably not helped by a disjointed and not match-fit Firmino. We got far more shots from distance, in proportion and in total, than is usual this season.

It was also very hot, very humid, and there had been three weeks since either team played a competitive fixture, and it showed.

But we got a fairly lucky Liverpool goal and a Liverpool set play goal. An early goal and a late goal. And some very good defending in between. Yep, this season's Liverpool does that.

Liverpool scored first and shut up shop. Tottenham couldn't break through until making substitutions, starting by sacrificing midfield for attack with Moura for Winks, with just six shots for the opening 65 minutes then ten in the final 25, including all eight on target.

But Liverpool had already made its substitutions. Klopp, more proactive than usual in the heat and after a three-week layoff, brought on Origi for the counter that was always coming and Milner for fresh legs and pressing and midfield compactness and experience.

And, yes, Tottenham could have equalized with better finishing or worse goal-keeping. Lucas Moura did have a clear-cut chance, put off-target rather than needing to be saved. We've seen shots from where Eriksen's free kick was taken beat previous Liverpool goalkeepers. Tottenham are a good side and Pochettino's no fool. But Liverpool were prepared for what was coming, planned accordingly, and saw everything out. Unlike the meeting at Anfield two months ago, where Liverpool were pushed back and back and back by Tottenham's changes and were lucky to stay at 1-1 and somehow even got 2-1 at the death. It is good to be lucky, better to be good, and best to be lucky and good.

This Liverpool side did it. Thankfully, because I don't know if I could have taken another "so close, yet so far" moment.

This was Liverpool's fourth final. Losses in the League Cup and Europa League in Klopp's first season, the loss in last season's Champions League. They'd yet to lose in a two-legged European tie, whether 2015-16, 2017-18, or 2018-19. This was the first time that Liverpool had been favored in a final. And Liverpool were coming off a league campaign where they'd scored the third-most points in Premier League history and only finished second. And had three weeks to think about it. Liverpool were in dangerous of becoming 1970s Netherlands at best – bridesmaids rather than brides, remembered for fun sides and beautiful football and not winning with it. And that's seemingly a best case scenario.

But that did not happen.

This Liverpool side deserved far, far more than nearly. This Liverpool side is far, far better than nearly. Promised finally fulfilled. And you can't help feeling that it's only just begun.

Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham

Goals:
Salah 2' [pen]
Origi 87'

It was a game governed and decided by a contentious second-minute penalty. It was a game played in 90º heat. It was a game played 20 days since these sides last played a competitive fixture, because sure let's wait until June. Incidentally, this is the first time that Liverpool have ever played a competitive match in June.

And I do not care, because Liverpool just won the Champions League, for the sixth time in the club's history.

I almost feel bad for Tottenham. We're less than 27 seconds in. Liverpool are in a dangerous position, a chip over Tottenham's back line finding Mané with a modicum of space in the penalty box, albeit wide and deep. So Mané goes for the cross, as Sissoko – who's marking him – has his arm raised, ostensibly directing a team mate. And Mane's cross is off both chest and arm and the arm's in an unnatural position and sure it's a penalty who knows what a penalty is anymore.

Salah scores and it's 1-0 before we've even drawn breath. And from there, Liverpool play accordingly, especially given circumstances with weather and potential fatigue and the fact it's between two sides who know each other as well as two sides can. Liverpool went full Tony Pulis: soak up pressure, look long. This Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool, went full Pulis in a Champions League final.

And it worked. It bloody worked. I can't even.

It worked despite Liverpool completing their fewest passes in a half this season in today's first half, despite Liverpool's lowest passing accuracy of the season. The order of the day was long balls to Salah and Mané, especially with Firmino not at his best after that injury a few weeks back. And there were half-sights every now and then, but Liverpool rarely had the ball, as much by design as Tottenham necessity. Most importantly, no one really had chances for the first two-thirds of the match outside of the penalty.

It worked because Virgil van Dijk and Joël Matip were absolute mountains, especially Joel Matip – who had Kane lurking around him more often than not, even if it was a half-fit Harry Kane.

It worked because Alexander-Arnold and Robertson know how to defend as well as attack. Today's tempo and tenor restricted both in the opposition half, but both did as needed at the other end.

It worked because Alisson made eight saves – all in the final 20 minutes – even if most were routine and all were expected.

It worked because Tottenham's substitutions and alterations didn't affect the match as they did in the previous meeting at Anfield, with Klopp acting first and practically: Origi for Firmino and Milner for Wijnaldum. Meanwhile, Lucas Moura, Dier (because of injury to Sissoko), and Llorente did little to change proceedings. Well, the game became more open as Tottenham threw more and more forward, but Liverpool like it when the game becomes even more.

It worked because a set play finally came off, albeit not until three minutes from time. Van Dijk's shot's blocked, the ball's not fully cleared, and it falls to Origi. Divock Origi, on the left side of the box. Divock Origi, smashing the ball across and past Lloris with his left foot. Divock Origi, who scored with all three of his Champions League shots this season: the first goal in the semi-final second leg, the fourth goal in the semi-final second leg, and the game-killer in the final.

Again, I can't even.

"I can't even" an awful lot with this team. It worked because this team is a damned team. It is a fully oiled, fully organized all consuming machine: from a defense unrecognizable to that of a year or two ago, a still unheralded and underrated midfield that almost always does what's asked of it, that front three, and a surprisingly deep bench when almost everyone's available.

It is a team that nearly broke records in the Premier League if not for one of the most expensive and dominant sides ever. And it is a team that finally won a European final after harshly falling at the previous two hurdles.

It deserves this. Every single one of them deserve this. And the more that's to come.

Visualized: Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham

Previous Match Infographics: Fulham (a), Bayern Munich (a), Burnley (h), Everton (a), Watford (h), Manchester United (a), Bayern Munich (h), Bournemouth (h) West Ham (a), Leicester (h), Crystal Palace (h), Brighton (a), Manchester City (a), Arsenal (h), Newcastle (h), Wolves (a), Manchester Utd (h), Napoli (h), Bournemouth (a), Burnley, Everton (h), Paris St-Germain (a), Watford (a), Fulham (h), Arsenal (a), Cardiff (h), Red Star Belgrade (h), Huddersfield (a), Manchester City (h), Napoli (a), Chelsea (a), Southampton (h), Leicester (a), Brighton (h), Crystal Palace (a), West Ham (h)

Match data from WhoScored, except average position from the SofaScore app. 

Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham

Goals:
Firmino 16'
Moura 70'
Alderweireld OG 90'

And you thought Liverpool's last match was lucky. Good lord the season's gonna kill us all.

It is very hard to talk about the football match when things like this happen.

In a lot of ways, we've been here before. Liverpool are decent for most of the first half and open the scoring early, Firmino's wonderful header from Robertson's even more wonderful cross. But Liverpool don't get a second despite a handful of half-chances, and Liverpool's only shot on-target is that Firmino goal. They're once again up against a deep defense, with Spurs switching to a back three to both contain Liverpool and because they've barely got any available central midfielders.

And Liverpool increasingly fumble and frustrate. And Spurs improve, because Spurs are not Fulham or Burnley or Everton or Leicester or West Ham, especially after Spurs switch to 4-4-2 at halftime. Now it's Liverpool increasingly pushed back, the fullbacks far less of an outlet with Eriksen and Rose on the wings and Tripper and Vertonghen solidly behind.

We get angrier at Liverpool's midfield's inability to create, especially when paired with increasingly less destroying, not even doing what they're there to and at least keep possession. We get angrier at the lack of substitutions, Fabinho still on the bench, Keïta and Shaqiri seemingly not even in plans.

And an equalizer feels coming. Liverpool are doing *enough* – Van Dijk constantly heading away, Robertson's crucial block on Eriksen's rebound after Alisson saves Kane's wide angle shot, Matip thankfully scrambling Eriksen's cross behind rather than into his own net – but we're rightfully nervous.

Then it comes. Sure, Harry Kane's barely fouled and takes the free kick with the ball still rolling, Trippier's damned close to offside, and Eriksen mis-hits his pass inside but it somehow falls perfectly for Lucas Moura. Multiple bad and unfortunate things needed to happen for Spurs to equalize. But Spurs equalized. Just as Leicester and West Ham did in those maybe costly draws, just like Fulham did two weeks ago.

Thankfully, we got what we got two weeks ago. Which did not feel like happening until it somehow happened.

Fabinho finally comes on, as does Origi. Liverpool push and press and both van Dijk and Firmino should have scored from the same corner and Origi's free kick is deflected barely wide and Mané's almost but not quite found by van Dijk with a long clearance. It is actually better, spurred into action by Spurs' goal.

There should have been a winner here. And it should have comes from Tottenham. Liverpool, full bore for a second goal, are leaving themselves wide open. Tottenham break when Liverpool lose possession in the final third and it's Rose to Kane to Son to Sissoko, two on one against just Virgil van Dijk. But van Dijk's angles are perfect because van Dijk's almost always perfect, baiting Sissoko into a shot when unable to release Son, ballooned over. To make matters seem more lost, Dele Alli's curling an effort just off-target two minutes later.

This is the way the world ends. With a draw at best and maybe a loss and there's no way City are dropping points in two matches let alone one.

Until Liverpool get a corner, and Robertson corrals the clearance and Alexander-Arnold whips a cross to Salah at the back post. Header saved, but saved onto Alderweireld, rolling past and under Lloris just before 90:00 hits the clock.

Pandemonium. Which, I certainly do not hesitate to add, is more than deserved after the way this fixture ended last season.

And we live to see another day. Liverpool remain two points ahead of City, albeit having played one more match, as we go into April. The season lives on to kill us on another day.

And it's thanks to yet another late winner. 3-2 Paris St-Germain, 1-0 Everton, 4-2 Palace (which somehow became 4-3), and now 2-1 Tottenham. All winners in the 90th minute or later. Not to mention 1-1 Chelsea in the 89th minute or 2-1 Fulham in the 82nd minute or maybe necessary two-goal cushions at Palace and in both matches against Burnley.

Are they flukes if they're multiples?

So no matter the sometimes sloppiness and more times of frustration. No matter the same again, almost punished again. No matter the struggles in attack or the odd mistake in defense, or the questionable decisions with both line-ups and substitutions.

This is a team that does not give up. And that's by far the most important quality at this stage of the season. That might well be the only quality worth mentioning at this stage of the season.

Six matches left.

Visualized: Liverpool 2-2 Tottenham

Previous Match Infographics: Huddersfield (a), Swansea (a), Manchester City (h), Everton (h), Burnley (a), Leicester (a), Swansea (h), Arsenal (a), Bournemouth (a), West Brom (h), Everton (h), Spartak Moscow (h), Brighton (a), Stoke (a), Chelsea (h), Sevilla (a), Southampton (h), West Ham (a), Maribor (h), Huddersfield (h), Tottenham (a), Maribor (a), United (h), Newcastle (a), Spartak Moscow (a), Leicester (a), Burnley (h), Sevilla (h), Manchester City (a), Arsenal (h), Hoffenheim (h), Crystal Palace (h), Hoffenheim (a), Watford (a)

Match data from WhoScored, except average position from the SofaScore app. 



This match saw Liverpool's fewest shots at Anfield since taking just seven in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea just over a year ago. This was the first time Liverpool have been out-shot at Anfield since a 2-1 win over Burnley last March. Klopp's Liverpool have been out-shot at Anfield in the league just five times: 1-1 Tottenham in April 2016, 1-0 City in December 2016, 1-1 Chelsea in January 2017, 2-1 Burnley in March 2017, and yesterday.

This was Liverpool's lowest passing accuracy in a Premier League match under Jürgen Klopp.

Klopp in the PL
Lowest Pass % (all games)
H v Tottenham, 2-2, 2017-18: 67%
H v Tottenham, 1-1, 2015-16: 69%
H v Man City, 1-0, 2016-17: 69%
H v Tottenham, 2-0, 2016-17: 69%

— James Yorke (@jair1970) February 4, 2018

The only Premier League match that saw less Liverpool possession since Klopp became manager was the 0-5 loss at City, where Liverpool played with ten men for an hour.

And they would've gotten away with it if it weren't for those meddling kids.

There's little point relitigating the penalties. Just have a look at all the ex-referees saying contradictory things in their featured columns today. Unsurprisingly, I remain furious.

But it's not as if Liverpool truly deserved to win that match, for what little "deserved" actually means. Aside from Mohamed Salah's continued, unbelievable brilliance.

Aside from Salah's two moments of brilliance – very much especially the second – Liverpool's attack was not good. The aforementioned paucity of shots. Just one on-target shot that didn't result in a goal: Van Dijk's easily-saved header in the 34th minute. Just one shot from Firmino, none from Mané, no key passes from either Mané or Firmino. Salah with three successful dribbles from seven attempted, Firmino with two from four, Mané with one from two. Firmino lost possession nine times – almost double his average for the season – and Salah seven times.

There's little to criticize in their work rate – as usual – but on the ball, all three were off-form. And that's a big reason why Liverpool were never able to extend its lead, especially when clearly the better side in the first half.

But I really want to blame Liverpool's midfield for the lack of creativity and the lack of control, especially as the match went on.

The intention seemed to be the same as against Manchester City. Push, press, counter. But I remain uncertain why Liverpool used Henderson, Can, and Milner in midfield, especially when Liverpool's midfield against City included Can, Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Wijnaldum. The latter two are faster, more mobile, and better at pressing – even if Wijnaldum has been below form for the majority of the season.

But it worked for a while!

Tottenham were truly unsettled in the first half. Tottenham truly struggled to move the ball forward. Liverpool won nine tackles in Tottenham's half: three by Firmino, two by Henderson, one each by Robertson, Milner, Can, and Mane, The last came in the 51st minute. But, then again, Liverpool's last successful tackle of the match came in the 57th minute.

And at the same time, Liverpool's starting midfield played just one key pass: Milner's set play cross for van Dijk's on-target header in the 34th minute. But, then again, Liverpool played just four key passes all match. Incidentally, none of the four goals in yesterday's match came from an assist.

Against Manchester City, Oxlade-Chamberlain played three key passes, including an assist, while Can and Wijnaldum each had one. But, then again, both Oxlade-Chamberlain – played higher up the pitch – and Wijnaldum were actually bad after coming on from the bench.

I'm still not entirely sure why Liverpool sat back for the majority of the second half, seemingly by design. Yes, yes, counter-attacks, but Liverpool certainly did not sit back against Manchester City until going 4-1 up. And we all remember what happened from there.

The defense was good – including Karius saving three clear-cut chances! – until it wasn't. A quasi-mistake from Lovren, much more of a mistake from van Dijk. The midfield was good – or at least good enough – until it wasn't. The attack wasn't as good as it can be, by a long shot, but Mo Salah still scored two wonderful goals and two goals really should be enough, except it rarely is.

And, so, another Liverpool match ends in dropped points despite Liverpool having a lead.



It's happened six times in the league this season. That's 12 points. Don't look at the table. Liverpool conceded after the 75th minute in four of those six league matches, including twice yesterday.

Watford's late equalizer was offside. Newcastle's equalizer came from a ricochet off their striker from Matip's attempted clearance. Chelsea's equalizer was Willian attempting to cross. Everton's equalizer was a soft penalty. Arsenal's equalizer was Mignolet massively screwing up Xhaka's shot from nowhere. And Tottenham's two equalizers were Wanyama's hapax legomenon shot from nowhere and a soft penalty (with Lamela marginally offside in the build-up).

This sport remains incredibly stupid.



Liverpool, with away matches still to come against Chelsea, United, and Everton, are nine points worse in matches against last season's top seven than they were in 2016-17.

And yet, Liverpool are three points better when comparing all the fixtures played so far versus 2016-17.

And yet, Liverpool remain in third, two points ahead of Tottenham, albeit with Chelsea playing Watford later today. Liverpool remain favored to finish in the top four.

But it's closer than it should be. And this is yet another example of how much more this season could have been.

Liverpool 2-2 Tottenham

Goals:
Salah 3' 90+1'
Wanyama 80'
Kane 90+5' [pen]

Football is incredibly stupid and I hate it.

The thing is, a draw's probably a fair result. Liverpool were good in the first half in midfield and defense, but poor in attack, needing a mistake from Dier for Salah to open the scoring in the 3rd minute. Tottenham were so, so much better in the second half, with Liverpool pinned back for nearly 45 minutes. Tottenham's front six switched constantly throughout the match, but they were far more 4-2-3-1 that what was usually 4-Diamond-2 in the first half. And Liverpool's midfield tired dramatically, and Liverpool's substitutions didn't help, and an equalizer seemed inevitable.

But we're going to talk about little more than the referee and linesman. Jon Moss – the same referee who sent off Sadio Mané at Manchester City – and Edward Smart.

Let's just fast-forward to the 85th minute. Tottenham have leveled five minutes earlier through Wanyama's thunderbolt from absolutely nowhere. Karius punches Davies' cross out, Can can't complete the clearance, and Wanyama absolutely thwacks a shot into the roof of the net which ends up in the Kop 49 times out of 50. What can you do.

But we're nowhere near done.

So, Tottenham's first penalty. Yes. First. Alli's throughball. Lovren off-balance, unable to intercept, a slight touch on the ball. Kane in. Karius out. Kane goes down.

First, foremost, and absolutely everything, Kane's offside. But also Karius doesn't even make contact with Kane, who hurdles the keeper then drags his leg over his body and falls to the floor. But the penalty's given. Despite the linesman clearly saying "offside" with the camera close in on their conversation, Jon Moss overrules him.

And the penalty's saved. Straight down the middle, Karius keeps his position.

I can almost breathe again.

And then Mo Salah scores the best individual goal you will even see. With Liverpool's third shot of the half, the first in 20 minutes, and the only non-blocked shot in almost an hour.

Throw-in after Liverpool had launched it deep. Alexander-Arnold to Salah, surrounded by three. What looked to be handball ignored as Salah's first to the loose ball with everyone looking at Jon Moss. Around Davies, holding off Alli, breaking Vertonghen's ankles, chipping Lloris all in the space of three years. The footwork's beyond belief. The finish is almost as good. In injury time of a game you thought you'd lost just five minutes earlier.

I cannot breathe again, but for an entirely different reason.

That's a goal that deserves to win any game.

Jon Moss and Edward Smart had other ideas.

Right back down the field, where we'd been all half. In the last minute of added time, van Dijk swings a leg at an attempted clearance from Trippier's long throw, not knowing what's behind him. Lamela, in an offside position from the flick-on, goes down like he'd been shot. Jon Moss makes an exaggerated "LOOK AT ME" no-penalty gesture. The linesman flags furiously.

This time, Moss allows himself to be overruled by his assistant. This time, Harry Kane makes no mistake.

To be fair, this is the first time I’ve seen this angle on the Van Dijk ‘foul’. It clearly looks like Van Dijk has tried to pull his leg away & Lamela makes the most of it.pic.twitter.com/uK8Xn9qNap

— LFC Round Up (@LFCroundup) February 4, 2018

I mean, come on.

It is impossible not to feel deeply, irreversibly aggrieved. It is impossible to not to want to burn down the Premier League, FA, Jon Moss' house, and the universe.

But the fact remains that it's still two points dropped against a rival. Despite taking the lead. Twice. Like Everton, thanks to the referee and silk-soft penalty given. But also like Watford and Sevilla and Newcastle and Sevilla and Chelsea and Arsenal.

And in a match where you admittedly probably weren't good enough to win. The high-pressing system tired and faded, the substitutions off the bench either didn't help or actively hurt. The attack needed a mistake from Dier and a moment of irrepressible brilliance to score its goals, with all three stars off-form with the ball at their feet for the majority of the match.

But Tottenham – despite all the good they did in the second half – needed the referee to break through Liverpool's defense, which was surprisingly Liverpool's best facet of the game. Multiple times.

And that's what makes what might have been a fair draw absolutely unforgivable.

Liverpool v Tottenham 02.04.18

11:30am ET, live in the US on NBC Sports

Last four head-to-head:
1-4 Tottenham (a) 10.22.17
2-0 Liverpool (h) 02.11.17
2-1 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 10.25.16
1-1 (a) 08.27.16

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 3-0 Huddersfield (a); 2-3 West Brom (h); 0-1 Swansea (a)
Tottenham: 2-0 United (h); 1-1 Newport (a); 1-1 Southampton (a)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Salah 19; Firmino 11; Coutinho 7; Mané 6; Oxlade-Chamberlain 3; Can, Sturridge 2; Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Klavan, Lovren, Matip, Wijnaldum 1
Tottenham: Kane 21; Son 8; Eriksen 7; Dele 5; Davies 2; Aurier, Llorente, Sissoko 1

Referee: Jon Moss (LFC History) (WhoScored)

Guess at a line-up:
Karius
Gomez Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alex O-C Henderson Can
Salah Firmino Mané

Lallana's still out, as are Klavan and Clyne, but everyone else is available.

And when that's the case, the only line-up question really seems to be in midfield.

My still-in-formulation midfield theory would see Can as the deepest midfielder and Henderson probably left out, with Oxlade-Chamberlain and Wijnaldum also involved. That seems the most-athletic, best pressing midfield. That's also the midfield we saw when hosting Manchester City. The likes of Henderson, Can, and Milner – as at Huddersfield – seems better in those against the smaller clubs, the deeper sides. But with Henderson newly returned and both he and Can impressive last time out, I suspect it'll be those two plus one other tomorrow – most likely Oxlade-Chamberlain but maybe Wijnaldum.

As a reminder, both Henderson and Can started against Tottenham at Wembley in October – albeit with Milner rather than Oxlade-Chamberlain or Wijnaldum. It did not go well.

Otherwise, the XI seems fairly easy to predict unless we get one of those rare curveballs. It'll be Gomez and Robertson at full-back, and almost certainly Matip and van Dijk at center-back. Sure, the Lovren Redemption Story would be a wonderful story, and he did play well on Tuesday, but I'd rather not risk it. I remember the last time these sides met. Tottenham remembers the last time these sides met. And Dejan Lovren remembers the last time these sides met. Let's just not.

And, of course, the preferred front three will definitely be the starting front three.

Meanwhile, Tottenham. I miss the days when Liverpool hilariously romped Tottenham in three consecutive matches a couple of years back, and were unbeaten against Tottenham in ten consecutive matches. Until last October.

Matches against Tottenham have been less fun since Pochettino took over. Tottenham may be fifth, barely outside the Champions League places and shy of the heights hit in the previous two seasons – aside from Harry Kane's prolificacy, that is – but they are still terrifying, good, and often a fun house mirror version of Liverpool.

I don't expect we'll see the same 3-5-1-1 system used to such effect when these sides met at Wembley. More likely seems the same XI which beat United 2-0 on Wednesday. Lloris; Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele; Son, Alli, Eriksen; Kane.

Aurier, Winks, and Alderweireld all returned from injuries this week, so all three could come into the side if need be – for Trippier, Dembele, and Sanchez respectively. Lucas Moura's also available after completing a move on deadline day, but I don't see who he's replacing in that attacking line of three. Similar goes for finally-fit-again Erik Lamela. Of course, that attack is terrifying. And Tottenham are even more reliant upon it for goals than Liverpool are theirs; Kane, Son, Alli, and Eriksen are the only Tottenham players with more than two in the league. Three of those four scored the last time these sides met.

Michael Caley's probably right. This match will be won by the side who presses the other into more mistakes. At Wembley, Tottenham repeatedly dispossessed Liverpool when the away side was trying to build possession to attack, and launched straight for Liverpool's goal. Sure, they received a massive helping hand from Lovren, and others, but Tottenham were able to play Tottenham's game far more than Liverpool could Liverpool's. And it ended very, very badly for Liverpool.

Liverpool have been a far better pressing side at home, especially against their peers. We saw it best against Manchester City. The away match was Liverpool's other incredibly humiliating defeat this season. The home match was absolutely riotous, nowhere near as close as the 4-3 result would suggest thanks to a furious start and an even more furious 20 minutes after halftime.

The potential for that is absolutely there tomorrow. But so is the potential for a rerun of last October's embarrassment. And the result will go a long way in deciding this season's top four places.

Visualized: Liverpool 1-4 Tottenham

Previous Match Infographics: Maribor (a), United (h), Newcastle (a), Spartak Moscow (a), Leicester (a), Burnley (h), Sevilla (h), Manchester City (a), Arsenal (h), Hoffenheim (h), Crystal Palace (h), Hoffenheim (a), Watford (a)

Match data from WhoScored, except average position from the SofaScore app.



Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool have lost by three or more goals just three times in the 114 matches since he became manager. The first was in his 15th game – 0-3 at Watford in December 2015 – something of an aberration featuring a heaping helping of Adam Bogdan.

The second was five weeks ago at Manchester City. The third was yesterday.

Despite all of the defensive shenanigans we've seen over the last few seasons, Klopp's Liverpool went 89 games without losing by three or more. And now they've done it twice in the last ten games. Both times away against Top-6 rivals, in fixtures that both ended 1-1 last season.

That's not good. And more frighteningly, that's not progress.

Tottenham only added a couple of players last summer, but those added were at the heart of their defensive performance yesterday: Davidson Sanchez anchoring the back three and Serge Aurier doing a commendable job on Mo Salah. And, more importantly, Tottenham had a stronger base to build from. An attack as young and potent as Liverpool's, but a much, much better defense to begin with.

We've all become so, so tired writing about Liverpool's failure to upgrade the defense last summer, but it can't be helped. Liverpool added one defender, and the one added can't get into the team because the player he was supposed to replace has revived his career, and is currently the best performer at the back. Meanwhile, we get to see Lovren and Matip flail and fail at least one every couple of matches, and sometimes more. And, sometimes, as happened yesterday, a lot more.

Wish in one hand and shit in the other, and see which keeps more clean sheets first.

This remains a Liverpool side capable of shutting down and shutting out consecutive opponents – only two, but two's at least a start – but then having the first 30 minutes we saw on Sunday. Only one Opta-defined defensive error in those first 30 minutes, but at least four failures. One very defense-wide, with at least four players to single out, but three others starring Dejan Lovren, and all four featuring Dejan Lovren seeing a ball sail parabolically over his head.

So, yeah, the Opta definition of defensive errors is narrow. Yesterday saw Liverpool commit two of the four we've seen this season. Sample size remains an issue. This still isn't fun.



Four Tottenham goals, and all you can truly credit them for is a well-placed assists from Trippier and Kane and excellent finishing on the first three goals. Yes, they out-Liverpool'd Liverpool in the first 30 minutes – some pressing, but more importantly swarming pace and counter-attacks against an exposed defense – but it seemed more meaningful that Liverpool gift-wrapped everything else, whether it was Matip, Lovren, Gomez, and Mignolet on the first; Lovren on the second; Matip on the third; or Mignolet on the fourth.

It's also worth pointing out that Tottenham's final two goals were set up by Liverpool touches. That's the sixth time that's happened this season. Exactly a quarter of Liverpool's goals conceded came from touches from Liverpool players: Matip and Alexander-Arnold, then Mignolet at Watford; Klavan against Burnley; Matip at Newcastle; Matip, then Mignolet at Tottenham.

I'm seeing similar names in the previous list, and they're not "Dejan Lovren." Lovren was unconscionably, there-must-be-something-wrong bad yesterday, but there's more than enough blame to go around. Including for the manager. He's not out there watching the ball fly overhead with a stupefied look on his face, but he's picking this side, he's setting up this side, and – as far as we know – he's got the final say on Liverpool's transfer dealings.

At what point do we stop blaming individual errors and start blaming the system?

Ongoing Liverpool goal concession thread. This season the avg shot quality conceded is .153. That's so stupidly high. pic.twitter.com/bMKNyyHL0I

— Ted Knutson (@mixedknuts) October 23, 2017

Left is all Spurs shots conceded (who press aggressively, but differently) and Liverpool's.

Eep. pic.twitter.com/U7S2vbcuFH

— Ted Knutson (@mixedknuts) October 23, 2017

I'm serious; this isn't a rhetorical question. I truly don't know. Six times out of 10, when Liverpool concede stupidly, there's an elemental, you-should-not-have-done-that error involved. I want to believe that means it's not the system, but it also keeps happening again and again and again so maybe? But Lovren and Mignolet did this sort of nonsense under the previous manager as well. But Matip had his faults at Schalke. But Gomez and Alexander-Arnold are still babies.

We're nowhere near KLOPP OUT. We've seen too much good, too much promise over the last few seasons; FSG clearly trust him with everything; he ain't out here missing easy defensive headers or spurning clear-cut chances; and I doubt it'd improve a damned thing when looking over this squad. But I can't help thinking he's got too much faith in his ability to coach players that have made the same mistakes for three or four seasons now. It's become too difficult when I have to do this Groundhog Day shtick seemingly every week.

Through nine league matches, Liverpool's opponents are averaging 8.78 shots per match and 4.22 shots on-target – a shot accuracy of 48.1%. That's 38 shots on-target through nine matches, and 17 of those shots on-target have been clear-cut chances – 44.7% – with 12 scored and five saved. Only two opposition clear-cut chances in the league have been off-target.

That's very bad. You will drop a whole mess of points allowing that many shots on-target and that many clear-cut chances. Meanwhile, Liverpool are putting 35.7% of their shots on-target. Only 23.3% of Liverpool's shots on-target have been clear-cut chances (14 of 60). Liverpool have put six clear-cut chances off-target.

So, yes, Liverpool's defense – I reiterate, again – is what truly cost Liverpool this match, but I can't help condemning the attack at least a little bit. As against Sevilla, Burnley, Spartak, Newcastle, United, etc.

Only 12 shots despite 64% possession. Eight of those 12 shots from outside the box, just two in the Danger Zone. A good goal from Mohamed Salah, but one which also featured a heavy Dele Alli deflection on the assist and a shot that bobbled in off the far post.

Look, it's hard to attack when you're 0-2 down within 12 minutes, but this is still bad. You'd still hope your top chance-creator wasn't also your top scorer. You'd hope your central midfield would create more than two chances: Henderson's deflected assist – which arguably should get taken away because of the deflection – and Milner's deep cross-field pass to Moreno for a long shot from distance. You'd still hope your central striker who played 77 minutes would, you know, take a shot or create a chance. Just one.

This was primarily, obviously a defensive failing, but it was also an attacking failing. It was also a midfield failing, whether in providing for the attack or protecting the defensive against a team obviously built to swarm and counter.

For all the emphasis on individual errors, it was a Liverpool failing. And we've already seen too many Liverpool failings this season.

Liverpool 1-4 Tottenham

Goals:
Kane 4' 56'
Son 12'
Salah 24'
Dele 45+3'

The most Liverpool week ever is Liverpool at its most potent, scoring the most goals they've ever scored under Jürgen Klopp, immediately followed by Liverpool at its most defensively hilarious, conceding four goals solely because of things that Liverpool did wrong. And they did so against a direct rivals, on a ground where those rivals had scored just three league goals through four matches, to make it extra fun.

Once again, it's one step forward followed by two backwards.

What can you even say.

Liverpool conceded from a collective defensive mistake, an individual defensive mistake, a second phase set play, and a goalkeeper error. We're reached a new Peak Liverpool.

Liverpool conceded twice within 12 minutes, almost completely ruining any chance of getting something from this game. A game that Liverpool desperately needed to get something from.

We'll give Tottenham a bit of credit. All those swarming attacking midfielders and two very, very fast wing-backs made it impossible for Liverpool to get the ball forward. For Liverpool to play on the front foot. For Liverpool to press. For Liverpool to play their game. Tottenham started from a stronger foundation to win this match.

That's obviously concerning. But you still cannot legislate for defensive mistakes.

First, Liverpool are all idiots from an attacking throw-in. No one presses the ball, allowing Trippier to place a chip over the top for Kane. Lovren watches it go over his head without even trying to jump for a header or retreat. Matip throws his arm up for offside and stands still for two seconds. It's not offside, because Gomez is a couple of feet behind Kane even though he's on the opposite side of the pitch with no Tottenham player remotely nearby and he's staring down the line. Mignolet comes out but doesn't get the ball, Matip slows down because he thinks Mignolet might get the ball instead of clearing everything and everyone out, and Kane keeps his balance to score. Just hilarity all over.

Eight minutes later – after a spell where Liverpool have had all the possession without threatening – Hugo Lloris throws the ball long after claiming Milner's cross. Lloris is good at throwing the ball out. Kane's always a threat on quick counters. But Dejan Lovren's got this. Dejan Lovren's gonna head this away and Liverpool will resume trying to get at Tottenham.

Dejan Lovren completely misses his header – hilariously so, as if he's wearing someone else's glasses and has no depth-perception – and Harry Kane's in. So, so in. Kane and Son versus poor Joël Matip, and Kane's cross is excellent and the ball's in the net.

Four minutes later, it should have been three: a quick free kick, Liverpool asleep, Lovren in a different universe, Son in behind, Son off the crossbar.

But then, hope. Hope? Really? Coutinho wins possession, Henderson blasts a remarkable long through-ball to Salah between center-backs, and the winger converts. Converted with his right foot, converted awkwardly and in off the post, but converted nonetheless. Converted for his fifth league goal, and his eighth goal in 11 starts. 1-2. Actually a game.

And still a game even after Lovren allows Son in behind again, with Mignolet making the save, as Liverpool scrambled to get Oxlade-Chamberlain in for Lovren. I don't know what happened today. Was it just Lovren at his worst? Was it just Lovren has had to take painkillers to play for two months now and this is what happens when that has to happen? Don't know. It's easy to say in retrospect that he probably shouldn't have played. But this was the same side that's kept clean sheets in its last two matches, even if against very, very different opponents. We laugh and joke and cry about Lovren's calamities but this was something different. This was a player completely out of his depth, as if something's very, very wrong.

So Oxlade-Chamberlain comes on, and Liverpool shuffle within the same formation. And it's okay? We're seeing Liverpool pressure, even if we're not seeing Liverpool chances. Tottenham's back three becomes a back five. Tottenham are compressed into their own half, with only Kane and Son forward, and Gomez and Matip are doing a better job controlling that then Matip and Lovren. We're seeing crosses and set plays, and they're not coming that close – Tottenham are quite good at the defense, after all – but all it takes is one moment, one opening, one fortunate bounce.

But Liverpool are on the front four. But Liverpool are going to go into halftime just a goal down. Maybe halftime's coming at a bad time? It feels like it's at a bad time. This is all Liverpool, even if chances are few and far between.

Nope. Emre Can loses possession. Emre Can concedes a foul – yes, he gets ball, but he also gets man, and he's coming from behind, and referees are calling that four times out of five. But it's a deep free kick. But Tottenham are just trying to get into the changing room, only throwing a couple of bodies forward.

Nope. Matip heads the ball directly to Dele Alli rather than the five Liverpool players nearby, and Alli restores Tottenham's two-goal lead.

Goodnight, nurse.

I'm going to slow down and say it again. Tottenham. Were. Not. Even. Trying. To. Score. Kane was the only player attacking the free kick and Matip somehow headed it directly to the only Spurs player following it up. It's actually amazing.

So the second half's now a formality. Spurs just have to keep a demoralized Liverpool at arm's length. Spurs almost score on a free kick, with Kane's awkward header wide, then Spurs score from a free kick as Mignolet charges out but misses the cross – as Mignolet's prone to do – and Kane scored the rebound after Firmino cleared the first effort off the line.

Fantastic.

I'll be honest. I barely watched after that. I think Lloris denied a nice Coutinho strike from range? Liverpool made a couple of substitutions. Tottenham made some too, giving Son, Eriksen, and Kane time for rounds of applause, and thankfully stopped trying to score. And Liverpool thankfully stopped giving them goals to score.

Great work, guys. Way to prevent another rival from scoring five on you.

This was a boot, stamping on Liverpool's face – forever. Just like at Manchester City – two utterly humiliating losses against Top-6 rivals in the space of five weeks, a season after going unbeaten against all of Liverpool's Top-6 rivals. And this time, Liverpool don't even have the excuse of a red card dismissal.

This time, it was Liverpool's own boot doing the stamping.

Liverpool at Tottenham 10.22.17

11am ET, live in the US on NBC Sports

Last four head-to-head:
2-0 Liverpool (h) 02.11.17
2-1 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 10.25.16
1-1 (a) 08.27.16
1-1 (h) 04.02.16

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 7-0 Maribor (a); 0-0 United (h); 1-1 Newcastle (a)
Tottenham: 1-1 Real Madrid (a); 1-0 Bournemouth (h); 4-0 Huddersfield (a)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Salah 4; Mané 3; Coutinho, Firmino 2; Henderson, Sturridge 1
Tottenham: Kane 6; Eriksen 3; Alli, Davies 2; Sissoko 1

Referee: Andre Marriner (LFC History) (WhoScored)

Guess at a line-up:
Mignolet
Gomez Matip Lovren Moreno
Milner Henderson Can
Salah Firmino Coutinho

Liverpool's ten-match voodoo over Tottenham versus Liverpool's results over the last month. Klopp's record at Wembley versus Tottenham's relative struggles at home.

Liverpool's recent form versus Liverpool's recent record.

Maribor was good. Really, really good. But whether Maribor removed the millstone hanging from Liverpool's neck since September or was a singular explosion will remain a concern.

Mignolet will come back in for Karius. Gomez probably will for Alexander-Arnold. And Henderson's expected to as well, although I'm hoping it's for Wijnaldum rather than Milner. Yes, yes, Maribor were Maribor, but Milner felt crucial to Liverpool's improved counter-press, although Can playing deeper was probably just as vital. Still, Milner in this role almost – but not quite – felt like Lallana was back in the side. Milner ran farther than any other player in the Liverpool team on Tuesday. And Milner created two clear-cut chances from wide positions inside the penalty box: one scored, one missed. And, yes, The Wijnaldum Away Axiom sadly remains in effect.

We know what we need from this Liverpool side. What's perpetually in doubt is whether they'll do it. An effective press. Taking the chances they'll almost certainly create. And continuing to get more secure in defense; after Maribor, Liverpool have now kept consecutive clean sheets for the first time this season.

But Tottenham presents a far different challenge than either Manchester United or Maribor. Tottenham isn't parking any bus. Tottenham remains somewhat of fun house mirror version of Liverpool, one that's a year further along in its development. They're young, they're settled, they've a discernible, fun style. They really like to press. They're potent up front – especially Harry Kane, but I'll also nervously mention Eriksen's set plays – but still excellent in defense, with five clean sheets through eight league matches.

And they've become more versatile this season. It hasn't been 3-4-2-1 in every match. If Spurs play their "usual" XI, it'll be Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Trippier, Dier, Winks, Davies; Eriksen, Alli; Kane. But there's a more-than-negligible chance that Spurs attempt to replicate their performance at Real Madrid, sitting deeper and counter-attacking – even though Madrid should have won had they converted their chances, even though Spurs are at home, and even though (despite our most fevered dreams) Liverpool are not Real Madrid.

Tottenham's line-up on Wednesday was Lloris; Aurier, Sanchez, Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Sissoko, Winks, Eriksen; Llorente, Kane. And Pochettino could (and probably should) tweak that if using this style. Dier could move into midfield, with Vertoghen shifting inside and Davies or Rose coming in at left-back. Alli could play in midfield or up front. Son Heung-Min could come in for Llorente.

Tottenham have options, Pochettino has options. The only absentees are Dembele, Wanyama, and Lamela.

This will be an excellent test of each's potential for the rest of the season. We're nearing the hallowed ten-matches-in mark, where the league starts to settle into place. And Tottenham are third, impressive but not City or United impressive, and five points behind the league leaders (which is likely to be eight by kickoff tomorrow). And Liverpool are eighth, four points behind Tottenham.

Away from home, against a top-six club, coming off a record win under the current manager. Coming off a result that finally match the performance. And a chance to set a marker. It's set up for you, Liverpool. Just knock it down.

Visualized: Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham

Previous Match Infographics: Hull (a), Chelsea (h), Swansea (h), Manchester United (a), Sunderland (a), Manchester City (a), Stoke (h), Everton (a), Middlesbrough (a), West Ham (h), Bournemouth (a), Sunderland (h), Southampton (a), Watford (h), Crystal Palace (a), West Brom (h), United (h), Swansea (a), Hull (h), Chelsea (a), Leicester (h), Tottenham (a), Burnley (a), Arsenal (a)

All match data from Stats Zone and Who Scored.




These are the matches where Liverpool perform.

Everyone's seen and written about Liverpool's top-six record under Klopp, both this season and last. Once again, one of these matches saw fewer than 500 attempted Liverpool passes, fewer than 400 completed Liverpool passes, less than 56% Liverpool possession. Liverpool have now won five and drawn two when that happens. 4-3 Arsenal, 1-1 Tottenham, 2-1 Chelsea, 4-2 Palace, 1-0 City, 1-1 United, and 2-0 Tottenham.

They're either open, back-and-forth games (Arsenal on opening day, but I also see you, Palace outlier) or games where Liverpool score early and can actually focus on defending – and they're often good at defending when actually focused on defending.

Credit to Tottenham for the confidence to play their style no matter Liverpool's form against a different sort of set-up lately, even sticking with the back four they've recently used because of injuries rather than a more smothering back three which has been deployed in most matches against better sides.

It was still a bad idea.

You should not try to play out from the back against this Liverpool. You should not allow this Liverpool front five to press you, especially in the middle third of the pitch. And you should not play an insanely compact high-line defense against this Liverpool.

All three of those facets heavily featured in Liverpool's goals. Liverpool win possession in the middle third. Liverpool sprint at and behind your defense. And Liverpool score. Most notably, that high line was straight suicide against Sadio Mané.



Poor Ben Davies. Another view:



A Liverpool attacker hasn't seen that much space to run into since Hillary Clinton seemed certain to be the next US President.

And that set the tone. We could have gotten similar earlier, with last-ditch defending from Alderweireld and Walker preventing Liverpool from getting in, and we did get similar less than two minutes later.



Admittedly, Liverpool are very much helped by Dier's mis-control and error on the ball. But as Liverpool can attest, one bad moment of defending and conceding often leads to more mistakes and more goals. As it did here. As it almost did four minutes later thanks to Kyle Walker's nonsense cross-field ball in his own half, with Mane only denied by Lloris' inner-thigh save. As it almost did two minutes after that, Tottenham thrice failing to fully clear a corner before Lloris again denied Mané.

There's a reason most sides stopped playing like this against Liverpool around three months ago.

But, yes, while Liverpool are often better against the best sides in the league and Liverpool are better against this sort of set-up, this was no routine Against-Top-Six performance. This was no routine Liverpool v Tottenham performance.



These are the four league matches where Klopp's Liverpool has faced Pochettino's Tottenham, an updated version of a chart posted the last time these two sides met. A match where Liverpool played better than they had in previous against Spurs. A narrow match, but one that Liverpool probably should have won had Liverpool finished their first-half chances.

This, on the other hand, wasn't nearly as close. Liverpool got their very-much-needed early goals – "goals" not "goal" – could and should have scored more if not for Lloris, and only had one moment of fright where Mignolet outstandingly denied Son in the 26th minute. From there, Tottenham never ever ever looked like scoring, held to just two shots for the final 55 minutes of the match: an Alderweireld set play header immediately blocked and an Alderweireld 35-yard-blast that was nowhere near the target, in the 69th and 92nd minutes respectively. Despite the deficit, despite an awful lot more Tottenham possession.

Again, when compact, when set, when focused on protecting a lead rather than adding to it, Liverpool's defense can be very good. In complete contrast to when it's very much not as Liverpool are chasing a goal or a deficit.

This was the first time all season that Tottenham have been both held scoreless and their opponents scored more than once. And they'd only been held scoreless in five of 35 matches in all competitions: 0-0, 0-1 Leverkusen in the Champions League; 0-0 Bournemouth (a); 0-1 United (a); 0-0 Sunderland (a).

Also,

Spurs were behind by two goals for more minutes tonight (72) than they'd been in total in the league since the start of last season (42).

— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) February 11, 2017

Finally, it seems worth a mention that Harry Kane again failed to take a shot or create a chance. As also happened when these sides met at Tottenham in August. The only other match where that's happened was Tottenham's 2-0 win over Chelsea last month. Kane had averaged 4.0 shots and 2.33 key passes per games, with two goals and one assist, in his three previous against Liverpool.

But again, these aren't necessarily the matches where we need to see Liverpool do Liverpool. It's always welcomed, and further proof that Liverpool are on the right track and have good ideas and good players. But these still aren't the droids we're looking for.



*gulps, tugs collar*

I will specifically point to the opposition's shot accuracy and clear-cut chance totals. And also note that four matches which came much earlier in the season – 4-1 Leicester, 4-2 Palace, 5-1 Hull, 6-1 Watford – make Liverpool's "bottom 10" numbers look an awful lot better than they've been lately.

Seven of Liverpool's final 13 games are against bottom ten sides – five at home, two away – with only three left against the strongest top-seven: Arsenal (h), City (a), Everton (h).

If Liverpool are to succeed in their aims this season, it'll be against those sides. And it starts in Liverpool's next match.

Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham

Goals:
Mané 16' 18'

That was exactly what we wanted to see. What we needed to see. Finally, a first league win in 2017, a first clean sheet against someone other than Plymouth Argyle. And with 16 days until Liverpool's next match, we needed this for our sanity. More importantly, Liverpool's players needed it for their confidence.

But it also ain't where Liverpool's problems lie.

Liverpool are good in matches against the rest of the top six, still unbeaten this season, and unlucky not to get wins against Chelsea or United in the last few weeks. Liverpool are even better in matches against top six sides who want to play out from the back and play a high defensive line. There's a reason most sides don't do that against Liverpool, no matter Liverpool's form.

Both goals came early in the first half, before Liverpool could get frustrated or the opposition could create chances. Both goals came from pressing Tottenham players into giveaways in the middle third. Both goals saw acres of space for Liverpool players to run into. And yes, both Liverpool goals came from Sadio Mané, a player that Liverpool desperately missed over the last month.

For the first, Lallana and Firmino steal in against Tottenham players to set up Wijnaldum's outstanding throughball for Mané, in behind the often-beaten back-up Ben Davies, his shot perfectly placed over Lloris. Two minutes later, Mané robs a dallying Dier and races on goal before centering to Lallana. His shot's saved. Firmino's rebound's saved. Mané's rebound isn't – three high-value chances because a defense is disjointed and out-of-position, because an attacker's stolen possession high up the pitch.

Two quick fire goals, setting the tone in the 16th and 18th minutes in front of a roaring Anfield. This is the timeframe where Liverpool blew sides away earlier in the season – the blitzkriegs we saw against Leicester, Hull, Palace, and Watford. Liverpool actually taking advantage of their frequent fast starts.

Liverpool have now scored 15 PL goals between 16-30 mins this season. Nobody else has more than 7.

— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) February 11, 2017

And Mané had two chances for a hat-trick within the next five minutes: first, Walker pressed into an insane cross-field back pass which Mané picked up ahead of Davies, then a hammered effort from wide in the box after Tottenham failed to fully clear a corner, both efforts well-saved by Lloris.

Liverpool were on-fire. So, of course, Tottenham nearly got back into the game immediately after, their first real attack since Liverpool's opener, Son wonderfully denied by Mignolet when put in behind by Davies' throughball. It only takes one moment. Mignolet made sure the moment stayed with Liverpool. Even in results which end as throughly as this ended, there are very fine margins. Liverpool have been on the wrong end of those margins lately.

From there, strangulation. The side of Liverpool we so rarely see, but one they've previously proven capable of, most recently against City before this 2017 freefall. A couple of Liverpool chances – Matip shouldering a set play header at Lloris, Coutinho pulling his shot wide on a counter-attack – but nothing like that first-half flurry. Because Liverpool didn't need it.

They needed to play defense. And did. Tottenham took just two shots after the 35th minute: Alderweireld's 69th-minute set play header which was immediately blocked and Alderweireld's 92nd-minute blast from absolutely nowhere that was nowhere close to Liverpool's goal. Despite a two-goal deficit against a top-four competitor in a race that's going down to the barest of wires. Despite changing the formation at halftime, switching to a diamond midfield. Despite having players like Kane, Alli, Eriksen, Son, Dembele, etc.

This is just the fourth time Tottenham have been held scoreless in a league match this season. 0-0 at Bournemouth, 0-1 at United, and 0-0 at Sunderland. Liverpool are the only side to not only keep a clean sheet against Tottenham but also score more than once.

Do not misunderstand me. Any win is an awesome win given the last month and Liverpool did a lot of things very well, in every phase of play. Players who've struggled, players we've scapegoated. Mignolet's wonderful save and strong claims on a couple of Tottenham set plays. Lucas of all people pocketing Harry Kane of all people. Firmino, who's had an awful month, absolutely everywhere – leading the press, holding up play, winning aerial duels, creating chances, charging opponents down in the 92nd minute when already ahead by two goals.

This was a vital, necessary step. An exhilarating, wonderful, welcomed win. But, yes, it also doesn't answer our concerns against the Swanseas and Hulls of the world.

Liverpool will have the chance to do just that in their next match. Away, against a relegation-threatened side in horrific form, who love to sit deep and counter, who also happen to be defending champions.

This nightmare run is over. And this test is over. On to the next.

Liverpool v Tottenham 02.11.17

12:30pm ET, live in the US on NBC

Last four head-to-head:
1-1 (a) 08.27.16
1-1 (h) 04.02.16
0-0 (a) 10.17.15
3-2 Liverpool (h) 02.10.15

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-2 Hull (a); 1-1 Chelsea (h); 1-2 Wolves (h)
Tottenham: 1-0 Boro (h); 0-0 Sunderland (a); 4-3 Wycombe (h)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Mané 9; Firmino 8; Lallana 7; Milner 6; Coutinho 5; Origi 4; Can, Wijnaldum 3; Lovren, Sturridge 2; Henderson, Matip 1
Tottenham: Kane 14; Alli 11; Son 7; Eriksen 5; Rose, Wanyama 2; Janssen, Lamela, Winks 1

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Guess at a line-up:
Mignolet
Clyne Matip Klavan Milner
Lallana Henderson Can
Mané Firmino Coutinho

2017 rolls on apace. Still winless in the league. Still with just the narrow 1-0 win over Plymouth Argyle. A new nadir achieved with last week's 0-2 loss against a relegation-zone side that Liverpool had beaten 5-1 earlier in the season.

What fresh hell will tomorrow bring? Come at me, annus horribilis.

At least Liverpool are facing someone good? The sides that Liverpool "expect" to beat have been the biggest let-downs of late – the Swanseas, the Hulls. Even during this winter of our discontent, Liverpool remain decent against their top six brethren, with 1-1 draws against both United and Chelsea, matches that Liverpool arguably should have won.

And now they're facing an in-form funhouse mirror. Pochettino's press against Klopp. The fittest, hardest-running sides in the league. A opponent that doesn't score as much as Liverpool – at least, Liverpool before all the evil set in – but one who defends immeasurably better, even if their keeper's got an error or two in him as well. It's all led to these two sides canceling each other out in recent meetings.

At least Liverpool are on a week's rest – for the first time in 2017 – with almost everyone back and available. There are only a couple of minor injury concerns. First, whether Lovren and Klavan will be available after missing Hull. The former has a knee issue and hasn't really trained. The latter was in bed almost all week with illness and only returned yesterday. So Klavan at least has a chance of being available, but there's a better chance it'll be Lucas again. I see you in the back shouting "GOMEZ!!!!!" stop that.

The other concern's in midfield with Lallana doubtful, but I'm guessing is still likely to play because Lallana. And if he is available, we're back to the usual question in midfield: Can or Wijnaldum? Last Saturday saw one of those games where everyone's happy to scream about Emre Can for reasons, even if others are as bad or worse. No matter how annoying his and everyone's performance was, I'm not sure Wijnaldum would've made that much of a difference. But tomorrow's match is at Anfield – the Wijnaldum At Home theory remains valid – and Liverpool will have less of the ball and more reliance on the counter-attack, so Wijnaldum is a bit more likely to get the spot than he was at Hull. But still, probably Can.

There are also rumors that Karius might start ahead of Mignolet after the latter's most recent punishing error but whatever. Each has had good games and bad, each has saved and cost Liverpool points, each is capable of both the sublime and ridiculous in a matter of moments. Karius remains the long-term future – at least the more likely option for it – but I'm fine with trying to ride out Mignolet a little longer.

Meanwhile, Tottenham. The second-most in-form team behind a monstrous Chelsea. Four points ahead of Liverpool. Unbeaten in 11 in all competitions, with nine wins and two draws, including the only league victory over Chelsea since September. Five clean sheets in the last six league matches. However, those two draws came in Tottenham's last two away games: 2-2 at Manchester City and 0-0 at Sunderland.

Tottenham's XI remains fairly easy to predict. Lloris; Walker, Dier, Alderweireld, Davies; Wanyama, Dembele; Eriksen, Alli, Son; Kane. Maybe Cameron Carter-Vickers or Wimmer starts in defense rather than Dier, or Tottenham revert to three-at-the-back, something they've not often done since Vertonghen's injury. Rose and Lamela will also miss out through injury. The last two matches (0-0 at Sunderland and 1-0 against Boro) aside, Kane and Alli have been scoring for fun, Son Heung-Min's chipping in as well, Eriksen's perpetually dangerous from set plays (yes, yes, Liverpool defending set plays). And Tottenham can defend. Oh can Tottenham defend. Even with two crucial starters absent.

Hopefully, precedent will be something of a predictor. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last nine against Tottenham, going back to November 2012. Liverpool haven't lost at home to Tottenham since May 2011. Since Klopp took over, there have been three league draws – 0-0, 1-1, and 1-1 – and a 2-1 League Cup win back in October.

A draw is the minimum required tomorrow. The absolute, barest, "well, at least it wasn't..." minimum.

Liverpool need wins. I cannot stress the word "need" enough. It's possible this will be Liverpool's last match in February; next weekend's an FA Cup round, and if Leicester are held to a replay, the match against Liverpool on February 27 will be postponed.

After the last month, Liverpool are now fifth, only one point and goal difference off fourth but only one point and goal difference ahead of sixth. There will be fewer and fewer chances to stop this terminal velocity free-fall. Liverpool need to take every single chance they can get.

Liverpool v Tottenham 10.25.16

2:45pm ET, live in the US on beIN Sports.

Last four head-to-head:
1-1 (a) 08.27.16
1-1 (h) 04.02.16
0-0 (a) 10.17.15
3-2 Liverpool (h) 02.10.15

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 2-1 West Brom (h); 0-0 United (h); 2-1 Swansea (a)
Tottenham: 0-0 Bournemouth (a); 0-0 Leverkusen (a); 1-1 West Brom (a)

Previous rounds:
Liverpool: 3-0 Derby (a); 5-0 Burton Albion (a)
Tottenham: 5-0 Gillingham (h)

Goalscorers (all):
Liverpool: Coutinho 5; Firmino, Mané, Milner 4; Lallana 3; Origi, Sturridge 2; Henderson, Klavan, Lovren 1
Tottenham: Son 5; Alli 3; Eriksen, Kane, Lamela 2; Alderweireld, Janssen, Onomah, Rose, Wanyama 1

Referee: Jon Moss

Guess at a line-up:
Mignolet
Alexander-Arnold Matip Klavan Moreno
Grujic Stewart Wijnaldum
Ejaria
Sturridge Origi

Liverpool almost always play a stronger than expected XI in this competition. They did throughout last season, and they did in the first two fixtures this season. But I just can't see that happening tomorrow. Lallana and Wijnaldum are recently back from injury. Emre Can's still working his way to match fitness. Henderson's suspended. Nat King Clyne's played every available minute so far, while Coutinho, Firmino, Mané, and Milner aren't far behind.

So screw it. Let's see the kids. And, because it better suits who's available, let's see a 4-4-2 diamond.

Admittedly, I'd be a bit surprised with this many changes. But Tottenham are also expected to rotate almost its entire XI. Mignolet's certainly coming in. Klavan and Moreno need match time. Grujic, Stewart, and possibly Lucas can come into midfield. Both Alexander-Arnold and Ejaria have been mentioned as possible debutants. Wijnaldum seems the most likely front-six starter to keep his place, having played just 11 minutes against West Brom in his comeback from injury. And since I don't want to pick between Sturridge and Origi, hell, just play them both.

The 4-Diamond-2 worked just fine against Southampton in this competition last season. And, unlike in most other positions, Liverpool don't really have back-up wingers. Ojo's still injured, Woodburn's playing for the u23s. Lallana and Wijnaldum are capable, but usually more needed in midfield. All three of Liverpool's currently-reserve strikers – Ings, Origi, Sturridge – *can* play wide, but it's not something they thrive upon.

Not that form counts for much in a match where both sides will rotate heavily, but Tottenham have underwhelmed lately. Three straight draws, scoring just one goal in those three. But conversely, they've conceded just once in their last five matches. And, somehow, they sit just one point back of Liverpool. It helps when you're the lone unbeaten side left in the division, I guess. Draws are still better than losses.

If Tottenham rotate as heavily as Liverpool, as expected, there will probably be nine or ten changes. Something like Vorm; Trippier, Carter-Vickers, Wimmer, Davies; Dier; N'Koudou, Carroll, Winks, Onomah; Janssen. Maybe it's 4-2-3-1 with Carroll and Winks holding, and either Alli or Eriksen as the #10. Maybe it's Wanyama or Dembele at the base rather than Dier. Maybe youth striker Harrison starts up front rather than Janssen. Even if Spurs start all their kids, they'll still need one or two senior players to fill out the ranks. But like Liverpool, Tottenham's settled XI has played a lot of minutes lately, and Pochettino will want to spell his stars.

Of course, I can't forget that these sides met less than two months ago. And I can't forget that Liverpool should have done better than a draw. And I can't forget that Michel Vorm, who'll come into the Tottenham side, was a big reason why that match finished level. Liverpool and back-up keepers, man.

Incidentally, the same referee from the last meeting – Jon Moss – will also work this one.

This fixture has finished level each of the three times that Klopp and Pochettino have met. Thankfully, I guess, that can't happen today, with extra-time and penalties to come if it's honors even after 90 minutes. No matter who plays, for either side, it's going to be close and contentious, hard-fought between two of the hardest-working sides in the league.

With Liverpool's improvement in the league this season – so far *knocks feverishly on wood* – anything in this competition is gravy atop the Sunday roast. Sure, we'll see the public "we're in it to win it" quotes which are both necessary and ubiquitous, but this competition doesn't have the "we need the matches, we need the time together" impetus it had last season.

It's extra. It's fun. Liverpool have been fun so far this season; still-trying-to-kill-us fun, but fun nonetheless. Let's see more fun, and see where it takes us.

Visualized: Liverpool 1-1 Tottenham

Previous Match Infographics: Burnley (a), Arsenal (a)

All match data from Stats Zone and Who Scored.


Liverpool v Tottenham. Klopp v Pochettino. It's closely contested, it's narrow, it's hard fought. Both teams have chances to win. Neither one does.

If it's any consolation, this was the best Liverpool performance against Tottenham in the three meetings since Klopp took over.



It's the first time Liverpool took more shots than Tottenham. The first time Liverpool took more in-box shots than Tottenham (and vastly more). The first time Liverpool's registered a larger Expected Goals total, and again, by a decent margin. The first time either side's converted a clear-cut chance in this fixture. The first time Liverpool's had a higher pass accuracy than Tottenham.

Pity that Liverpool didn't win, eh?

One of the more impressive features was how quiet Lovren and Matip kept Harry Kane. The striker took four shots and created two chances in last season's meeting at White Hart Lane (the most shots in the match), and took four shots and created three chances in last season's match at Anfield – including scoring the equalizer.

Kane took zero shots and created zero chances on Saturday. Liverpool were helped by his position, used as the second striker after Janssen came on – a position he's still acclimatizing to – but it's impressive nonetheless. And it bodes well for the future of the Lovren-Matip center-back partnership. Especially considering that Janssen, Tottenham's out-and-out striker for more than an hour, didn't take a shot or create a chance either.

That said, it's not so cool (© Klopp) that Liverpool once again had a lead in a close game but conceded an equalizer.



Eight league matches where a potential win became either a loss or draw, as well as two Europa League matches – one where Liverpool weren't punished because of a miraculous second leg, the other the soul-crushing final. Eight of those 11 equalizers coming in the second half, all but one after Liverpool had taken a lead into halftime.

You can't expect Liverpool to keep a lead in all of those matches. Shit happens, and there are some good sides on that list, including Saturday's opponent. And it has gotten marginally, slowly better: more of those matches came in the first half of Klopp's tenure, Liverpool impressively held onto and/or extended leads against Stoke, Everton, Villarreal, and Watford in last season's run-in as well as Arsenal two weeks ago.

But it's still an area which needs a lot of improvement. Despite clear (if slower than we'd like) progress, there are still multiple areas which need improvement.

Had you offered four points from trips to Arsenal and Tottenham three weeks ago, we'd all probably have taken it. Happily. Almost all the areas of concern were better on Saturday: a more cohesive and secure midfield, a more disciplined performance from Jordan Henderson, a stronger defense, Milner's contribution both in defense and attack from left-back. Liverpool did well to get shots in dangerous positions, Liverpool limited the opposition's shots from similar areas. Liverpool pressed well from the front – against a side that's quite good at eluding the opposition's press – and Liverpool usually avoided Tottenham's press, limiting mistakes and give-aways when playing out from the back, something that's gone terribly wrong at least once in each of the previous league matches.

It's the third game of the season, and we're seeing progress, at least in two of them. With a couple of very important new players, a new formation, etc.; as Paul Tomkins necessarily wrote this weekend, these things take time.

The performance was good – heartening, even – and the result was okay. Take that and move on.

The loss to Burnley remains the outlier. I'm a broken record here – and, unfortunately, will probably continue to be so – but the performance and result at Burnley is what most dramatically needs improving.