Liverpool had been struggling for goals in the Premier League but they came up against a defensively naive Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night, taking three points to go back into the top four and keep their defence of the title alive.
Defensively Naive Tottenham Hotspur Hit Self Destruct
Spurs Create Their Own Problems Once More
A feature of Spurs’ play when they have dropped points this season has been how they have plotted their own downfall. Poor defending has been key to this and within the first few minutes of this Premier League tie, the warning signs were there. Sadio Mane managed to fluff his lines when he had been given far too much space by the Tottenham midfield and defence. Time and again, Liverpool were not pressed and, although Spurs had eleven men behind the ball, Liverpool were still able to create chances far too easily.
VAR Takes Centre Stage
Immediately following that Mane chance, Son Heung-min thought he had given the home side the lead but VAR ruled that earlier in the move between himself, Harry Kane and Tanguy Ndombele, he was coming back from an offside position. Between Liverpool’s second and third goal, Liverpool also had a goal ruled out after referee Martin Atkinson was asked to check the pitchside monitor by VAR to check for a handball in the build-up. Again, no goal was the result.
Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg hit a wonderful strike to bring Spurs back to 2-1 but Tottenham’s defending was causing them all sorts of problems. They kept trying to play out of defence which has caused them issues all season and yet they still keep on doing it. Eric Dier, Matt Doherty, Joe Rodon and Ben Davies were all guilty of wasting possession far too often and Liverpool were deserved winners.
More Bad News as Harry Kane Injured
As if the defeat and performance were not bad enough for Jose Mourinho and Spurs, Kane was injured and had to be taken off at half-time. It appeared to be an injury to his left ankle that has plagued him in recent seasons and will be a huge blow to Spurs if he is out for any period. Once he went off, Spurs looked blunt and toothless up front and it leaves Mourinho with a huge headache ahead of their next match against Chelsea.
Tottenham Must Learn Lessons
This defensively naive Tottenham Hotspur team need to start learning lessons. They give the ball away too often and of as much concern will be the lack of shots with only one on target. The defence is not quick enough and the mistakes are too often and all too familiar of Spurs over the years. A fragile side of their game that still costs them vital points.
Liverpool were the better team and on this form will be in the mix come the end of the season. Tottenham are in the Carabao Cup Final and remain in the FA Cup and Europa League so have much to fight for. The question is whether they can learn from their mistakes. Against Liverpool, they showed they have not.
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