Liverpool’s typical flaws were once again exposed as they were again the makers of their own downfall, falling to a miserable 4-1 defeat to Tottenham at Wembley.
Tottenham 4-1 Liverpool
Premier League, Wembley
October 22, 2017
Goals
Kane 4′ (assist – Trippier)
Son 12′ (assist – Kane)
Salah 24′ (assist – Henderson)
Alli 45+3′ (no assist)
Kane 56′ (no assist)
The Reds took to Wembley buoyed by their biggest-ever win away in Europe on Tuesday night, having put seven past Maribor in the Champions League group stage.
Taking on a Tottenham side who produced a stellar display away to Real Madrid in midweek, however, the calibre of their opposition was clear.
Jurgen Klopp was able to name a strong starting lineup in north London, with Loris Karius, Trent Alexander-Arnold and the injured Georginio Wijnaldum the other players to make way from the side in Slovenia.
Having enjoyed a strong run of form against Spurs in recent years, Klopp’s side will have been confident heading into Sunday’s clash, but they left humiliated.
- Klopp makes three changes from triumphant side from midweek
- Kane & Son benefit from Lovren errors, centre-back subbed in first half
- Salah grabs one back, but Alli restores two-goal lead before break
- Kane adds another following glaring Mignolet mistake
- Reds suffer second defeat to top-four rival this season
After keeping clean sheets in their last two games, it took Liverpool just four minutes to concede at Wembley, with Dejan Lovren the culprit.
With Spurs awarded a throw-in on the right-hand side, Kieran Trippier pick up the ball and lifted a simple cross into the box as Lovren stepped out, allowing Harry Kane in to fire home.
Lovren was at fault once again just 12 minutes later, misjudging a long ball to allow Kane through again, with the England striker threading through Heung-min Son to put Spurs 2-0 ahead.
Son almost scored his second shortly after, but struck the crossbar with a powerful effort, before Henderson’s expertly weighted ball allowed Mohamed Salah to race into the box and beat Hugo Lloris.
Lovren suffered the indignity of a first-half substitution when Klopp opted to replace him with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on 31 minutes, highlighting the height of his ineptitude.
The sub saw Emre Can move to right-back, Gomez to centre-back, and Coutinho into midfield.
The Reds were still far from convincing at the back, however, and Joel Matip‘s poor headed clearance allowed Dele Alli to volley past Simon Mignolet to make it 3-1 at half-time. Matip’s mistake arrived after Can had given the ball away naively on the halfway line then given away a foul which saw him booked.
Liverpool were given little respite after the break, as their dismal defensive efforts continued to undermine any quality going forward.
It took Kane just 11 minutes to add to his tally, benefiting from a weak save from Mignolet, palming into the path of Jan Vertonghen, whose shot was eventually turned in by Spurs’ No. 10.
The Reds were far from poor in attack, with Philippe Coutinho drawing a stunning save from Lloris from range, but they had little luck.
Klopp made another roll of the dice with 15 minutes left to play, sending on Daniel Sturridge in place of Roberto Firmino, with the incoming striker chasing his 100th club goal.
Salah prompted another smart stop from Lloris with a left-footed effort from close range, but Liverpool were already doomed, and head back to Merseyside with plenty of issues to address.
It was a miserable defensive showing, but nothing new that we didn’t already know.
TIA Man of the Match: Mohamed Salah
Referee: Andre Marriner
Next Match: Huddersfield Town (H) – Premier League – October 28
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