English Premier League: Absentees for Spurs crucial to Liverpool’s three points
What an opener for the Saturday of Matchday 5. Spurs outdone for most of the game, but have themselves to blame mostly for not stopping Liverpool.
Should Spurs have gotten a penalty late in the second half to bring the game level? Should Liverpool have been allowed the disallowed goal in the first, where Sadio Mane clearly made no contact?
Controversial moments again the difference in three points, one, and nothing at all.
Liverpool won the game, but Tottenham had a claim for a late penalty that could've changed everything. pic.twitter.com/cI4xPNMQBk
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 15, 2018
It was exactly what the football lover needed to jump-start the English Premier League. Klopp’s side were not at their best on the day, although, the better team by far. The amount of times they did not punish brain-dead play by the home side, looked as if it was coming back to haunt them.
Match stats Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool
Tottenham | Stat | Liverpool |
| 1 | Goals | 2 |
| 60% | Possession | 40% |
| 81% | Pass Accuracy | 40% |
| 572 | Total Passes | 376 |
| 11 | Total Shots | 17 |
| 3 | Shots on Target | 10 |
| 5 | Corners | 4 |
| 9 | Tackles | 17 |
| 3 | Offsides | 2 |
| 17 | Fouls | 16 |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 0 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
It's close, but it's a GOAL for @LFC from @GWijnaldum! pic.twitter.com/gEY4o4pbYI
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 15, 2018
Spurs did however, have all the chances and opportunities throughout the 90 minutes to get level – maybe even a chance to go ahead. But of the two, Tottenham looked the worst for wear. Sluggish from the stopper Vorm, right through to Kane, who was missing for most part of the fixture. It was not the performance expected after the international break.
Spurs biggest and main outlet at the top was winger Lucas Moura, who was inches away from being a Spurs’ hero once again. Besides the Brazilian, the rest of the team were pretty average. Those below average were at fault for all of the counter attacks Liverpool almost punished. It was just their luck the score remained within touching distance.
BOBBY! @LFC double their lead over Tottenham. #TOTLIV pic.twitter.com/Hfd3a1IO3u
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 15, 2018
Spurs must bounce back
Back-to-back losses means Spurs must make a lot of ground. Two losses look a lot – with the way the rest of the top teams are pushing for wins. Liverpool, along with Chelsea and City, are flying high at the moment.
Mauricio joins Jose and Unai after this defeat. The fight for that fourth spot will be a big fight for these three clubs. Title chances are far from lost, but the catching up game never an easy one.
A great finish from Erik Lamela! pic.twitter.com/QCEF75U83V
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 15, 2018
dark. Next. Arnautovic should be at a top 6 club
Liverpool batting five for five
A big step for the Reds of Merseyside. Five wins out of the first five matches since the Premier League took off. Klopp happy with the result, but knows work has to be done on the performance. But the important three points over a top-six rival was all that he needed in the end.
This last three points came at the cost of a casualty in Roberto Firmino. After such an intense victory over Spurs and the potential loss of the aforementioned – will they have the energy to do the same against PSG midweek in the Champions League.