If there was ever a good time for Tottenham to meet Liverpool, this was it. Spurs’ struggles against Jurgen Klopp’s side are a quirk of the modern Premier League era: despite being well matched on paper over the last six years, they have only beaten Liverpool once since Klopp’s arrival in 2015.
When Jose Mourinho describes a team as “phenomenal” before facing them, however, it’s clear he smells blood. Liverpool arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium winless in five in the Premier League and looking strangely leaden compared to last season’s fizzing alchemical brilliance.
There’s little doubt that circumstances have conspired against their title defence: while long-term injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez have been damaging enough in themselves, the use of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho as stand-in centre-backs has diminished their midfield chemistry in recent games. Though Mohamed Salah scored twice in their 3-2 defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup last weekend, their talismanic front three have been inert for the last month or so.
Liverpool had to deal with another injury setback here, Fabinho missing out with what the club described as “a minor muscle issue”. That saw Henderson slot back into defence alongside Joel Matip, having missed their last two games with a tweak of his own. Where Klopp stuck with his usual 4-3-3, Mourinho went with the new-look back three he utilised in Spurs’ 3-1 win against Sheffield United. He had his own injury problems to contend with, with Sergio Reguilon, Giovani Lo Celso and Dele Alli all unavailable. Matt Doherty, himself a doubt, came in for Reguilon at left wing-back.
The game almost started in disastrous fashion for the visitors, who could have scored within two minutes when Salah found Sadio Mane in the box only for his teammate to snatch at the shot and thump wide of the near post. Barely a minute later, Harry Kane found Son Heung-min with a beautiful through ball and, in stark contrast to Mane, his finish was measured to perfection. Klopp visibly grimaced on the touchline, his head briefly dropping in disbelief as Son wheeled away in celebration. He looked moderately more cheerful when, after a brief VAR check, the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside in the build-up.
The two sides seemed oddly synchronised in the first half, a prolonged lull in front of goal ending when Roberto Firmino tested Hugo Lloris with a fierce drive from distance and then, seconds later, Son raced up the other end and forced a low save from Alisson. Liverpool’s front three started to spark, Salah dinking a ball over Spurs’ back line and teeing up Mane to toe poke at Lloris from close range. Their chances kept coming, Mane stinging Lloris’ palms after a faded ball into the box from Firmino. Then, on the stroke of half-time, Liverpool finally scored their first Premier League goal of 2021: Henderson floated a fantastic ball up to Mane, who crossed to Firmino for a tap-in.
The second half signalled the return of Liverpool’s attacking alchemy, Salah almost scoring immediately after the restart after a quick-fire interchange with Firmino. Mane got in on the action moments later, dancing away from Doherty and drawing a save from Lloris. The rebound fell for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who thundered a shot into the far corner. Mourinho could be heard howling at Doherty from the sidelines, but he wasn’t the only one caught flat-footed for the goal.
Just when it looked like Klopp might be able to relax – having spent much of the match roaring on the touchline like an angry bear woken prematurely from hibernation – Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg briefly made it interesting with an absolute belter from distance. Liverpool kept their heads and picked up where they left off, Thiago Alcantara picking out Mane who set up Salah to slash home. This time it was Spurs who got a reprieve from VAR, Firmino punished for a subtle handball. It felt like a dangerous moment for Liverpool, denied the winner just as their attacking revival had gathered seemingly unstoppable momentum.
As it turned out, it was only a temporary reversal of fortunes. On the 65-minute mark, in a goal which was straight out of last season’s playbook, Alexander-Arnold sent in a probing cross from deep which found Mane. Ghosting in behind Joe Rodon, he slammed a bouncing ball into the roof of the net to make it 3-1. Already dominant in possession, Liverpool saw out the game from there.
While there was a huge outpouring of relief on the Liverpool bench at the final whistle, they have to build on this result. It was by far their best performance this calendar year, but there’s a lot of damage to be undone if they want to be crowned champions once more. Spurs, meanwhile, failed to take a presentable opportunity. Instead of demolishing their old foes just as they looked most vulnerable, they have given them the platform for a rebuild.
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