Another away day defeat leaves Tottenham Hotspur closer to the bottom three than top four. Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur met again today at Anfield in a repeat of the 2019 Champions League Final.
Since that date in May, Liverpool have been in fine form whilst Tottenham have stuttered and had a poor start to the season. The recent five-nil win over Red Star Belgrade showed signs of a return to form but Mauricio Pochettino rang the changes for this game, making four in all.
Another Away Defeat Costs Spurs
Quick Fire Spurs Stun Liverpool After 47 Seconds
Tottenham have not started many games quickly this season in any competition but that changed at Anfield. After just 47 seconds, Harry Kane steered a header home from an acute angle to silence the Kop.
Moussa Sissoko did great work to motor through the midfield and lay the ball off to Son Heung-Min. He twisted and turned and arrowed a shot toward goal that deflected off Dejan Lovren, hit the bar but Kane still had work to do to give Spurs the lead.
But from that point Spurs struggled to get out of their own half. Liverpool had over 70% of the possession and five shots on target. Paulo Gazzaniga produced a string of fine saves.
On 26 minutes he parried a fierce Mohamed Salah shot and then stopped Roberto Firmino’s strike. The best was yet to come when Virgil van Dijk got his head to a free kick and Gazzaniga tipped over from point blank range.
Tottenham hobbled to half time ahead with both Danny Rose and Sissoko picking up needless bookings. Sissoko for dissent and Rose for a strong challenge on Jordan Henderson.
Second Half in Progress
The second half started with a bang! Andy Robertson was unchallenged on the left and delivered a cross that no Spurs defender got near. Roberto Firmino got his head to the ball at the back post but Paulo Gazzaniga was equal to it once more.
Gazzaniga then sent a long ball up to Son who did well to go round Alisson Becker in the Liverpool goal but could only fire at the bar.
Liverpool kept coming and on 51 minutes, Jordan Henderson brought Liverpool level. Danny Rose was caught out by a simple ball and Henderson fired home with Gazzaniga helpless to save Tottenham on this occasion.
Hapless Serge Aurier Gifts Liverpool the Lead
For all of Liverpool’s dominance, Tottenham yet again showed their defensive frailties. When Sadio Mane got in behind Serge Aurier, there seemed to be little danger. Sadly Serge Aurier’s Tottenham career has been strewn with schoolboy errors.
He slipped, lost the ball to Mane and then fouled him to give Mo Salah the chance to put Liverpool ahead from the penalty spot. It was typical of Tottenham Hotspur this season and their increasing defensive errors.
It is hard to believe this is the same Spurs team that three seasons ago had one of the best defences in the Premier League.
Another Away Defeat Sends Tottenham Nearer to the Bottom Three Than Top Four
Tottenham did try and dig in at Anfield but the scoreline just about covered over the cracks of a squad that is now falling further away from the top of the Premier League.
Son’s effort that hit the bar could have changed the complexion of this game but the reality is that Tottenham have gone backwards over the summer and they now stand five points above the bottom three and seven points off the top four.
These two clubs were close rivals over the last few seasons. Liverpool are heading one way and Tottenham another right now.
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