A late Mohammed Salah penalty eased the growing tensions at Anfield as Liverpool came from behind to beat Spurs 2-1.
Source: liverpoolfc.com
A freak goal and slightly cowardly defending from Dejan Lovren allowed Harry Kane to put Spurs 1-0 up.
However, goals from Jordan Henderson and Mohammed Salah turned the game on its head and helped Jurgen Klopp’s side to another 3 points.
Henderson was especially pleased with his part in the comeback having given the ball away in the build up to Tottenham’s opener.
He said:
“I was thinking that it was my fault (The first goal) because i gave the ball away so I was disappointed but I just thought we have a lot of time left to play.
“We just kept doing what we were doing and keep working and thankfully I managed to get the goal so I’m delighted.”
Henderson role in Liverpool’s midfield is always a contentious subject amongst fans and many had called for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to start after his performance mid-week.
However, Klopp was vindicated in his decision to stick with his tried and trusted trio after another solid and arguably more creative showing against Tottenham.
Henderson completed his usual defensive exploits, winning 75% of his duels, half of his tackles as well as making one interception.
In addition to this the Liverpool captain scored the vital equalising goal, created one other chance for his teammates and completed half of his dribbles.
This shows a more forward thinking performance from the skipper and it may be in part to the competition for places that is so strong in that midfield spot.
Henderson has been criticized for his sometimes safe approach to midfield operations but following a man of the match performance from Oxlade-Chamberlain mid-week, Henderson clearly upped his game against Tottenham.
His use of the ball was positive, he made driving runs down the right hand side and ultimately, he got the goal that brought Liverpool back into the game
Henderson’s performance was anything but flawless however, it was a greatly improved showing from the midfielder.
Nevertheless, not every Liverpool player came through the victory successfully, most notably Dejan Lovren.
Lovren was bullied by Harry Kane for most of the game, played a part in the opener and was out-maneuvered by Heung-Min Son in a move that should’ve decided the match.
He was a liability in the middle of the defence and as Roy Keane put it, “He gives you a chance.” a chance that Spurs nearly took.
Aside from his own shortcomings Lovren clearly causes doubt amongst his fellow defenders, there were moments where even Virgil Van Dijk looked flustered after covering for Lovren.
Trent Alexander-Arnold also put in arguably his worst defensive display in months and it accidentally happens on a day where Lovren starts beside him.
The drop-off in quality from the giant that is Joel Matip to Lovren is massive but if
reports that Joe Gomez isn’t performing in training are true and Matip remains sidelined, we may be stuck with the Croatian for a few weeks yet.
On the whole Liverpool played exceptionally well, we dominated Spurs both territoriality and in terms of possession with 68% of the ball.
It was much improved from the showing at Old Trafford last week and the character to come back from the early goal was what we have come to expect from Jurgen’s “mentality giants”.
Klopp’s men did well to earn the three points and extend the unbeaten home record tp 45 matches.
The intensity shown against Spurs must be shown again next Saturday against Aston Villa but first on Wednesday a chance to see the younger lads face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup.
Brandon Russell
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