The slow starters couldn’t finish as winners as Tottenham Hotspur were edged out 2-1 by Liverpool. This battle of two big teams who haven’t hit the heights this season, it was the away side who left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with the points. It was Liverpool’s first away win of the season in the Premier League. Everyone involved at the Merseyside giants will be hoping this can give them some momentum going into the looming World Cup break. Southampton visit Anfield next weekend, providing Liverpool with a chance to build on this result.
This clash of wounded giants was ripe for the taking at the whistle and it was Jurgen Klopp’s side who seized the initiative. An early Andy Robertson ball over the top found Darwin Nunez in acres of space. His half-volley was well-saved by Hugo Lloris, but the time the Uruguayan was afforded will have worried Spurs head coach Antonio Conte.
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His worst fears were confirmed as the same pair combined again. Robertson whipped a cross in to Nunez, who controlled it beautifully. His flick onto Mo Salah was finished with aplomb to give Liverpool a deserved lead.
Harry Kane is often relied upon as both the creative fulcrum and finisher extraordinaire of this Spurs vintage. The England captain’s cross saw makeshift striker partner Ivan Perisic’s head tipped desperately onto a post by Alisson. Spurs supporters would much rather it had been Perisic crossing to Kane in those circumstances, with a goal the likely outcome.
Harvey Elliott saw his cross cleared as far as Thiago. The midfielder leathered a shot that was blocked by Eric Dier. But Liverpool wouldn’t have to wait long to double their lead. A long ball from Alisson caught out Dier, who turned to head it towards Lloris. His effort was tame and Salah nipped in to score his second of the evening.
Spurs started the second period with more verve than they finished the first. Perisic once again rattled the woodwork, this time from a Ryan Sessegnon centre. Dier found himself further forward than usual, with Alisson punching away his cross before berating his defenders for allowing it.
He capitalises on Eric Dier's mistake.
Nunez struck Liverpool’s first shot in anger of the half. It was soft by his standards, though his run to create space was effective. The strike went straight at Lloris though at a moment where a goal would have killed the game.
Instead, it was Spurs who scored next. Substitute Dejan Kulusevski tucked a smart ball through for Kane, who fired past Alisson from the tightest of angles. The previously-quiet Tottenham Hotspur Stadium erupted in noise while Conte pumped his fists. Game on.
Liverpool’s hearts were in their mouths late as a Kane flick on from a Perisic cross found Rodrigo Bentancur at the back post. He couldn’t get enough on it to change the trajectory or the scoreline, but it was a moment that drew gasps nonetheless. A sharp intake of breath was also let out when Perisic blasted a late strike over the bar.
It would be the final flourish for Spurs, who could not follow their customary slow start with their usual comeback success. They pushed Liverpool hard in the second half but Klopp’s side held out. With one league game before the World Cup, against a Southampton side rumoured to be losing their manager, there’s an opportunity to put a difficult start to the season behind Liverpool.
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