Liverpool fans will still be in dreamland as the Reds have managed to pick 15 points from their first five league games in a Premier League campaign for the first time ever.
Their trip to Wembley ended in a victory, but not before a nervous end to the game. Liverpool took the lead from Georginio Wijnaldum’s goal in the first half and doubled it when Roberto Firmino smashed in from close range in the second half.
Erik Lamela’s late goal in stoppage time gave them some hope and Tottenham will feel hard done by as Michael Oliver decided to wave away penalty appeals for Sadio Mane’s tackles on Heung Min-Son with literally the last kick of the game.
But Spurs were far from impressive and deserved to take nothing from this game. Liverpool were not at their best either, but are finding ways to win games, which is a sign of a team that is destined for silverware.
Here are three talking points from the tie:
#1 Liverpool Front-Line Wasteful
In reality, the 2-1 score-line flatters Spurs’ efforts on the night. The hosts were second best to most tackles and gave away the ball far too often to gain any command on the game.
Liverpool were quick to carve open Spurs’ backline with every chance they got. Sadio Mane himself could have had a couple of goals while Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita should have finished their chances. The Reds had an xG (expected goals ratio) of 2.98, which is higher than what they managed. Their defence, however, has been immaculate.
It could have cost them had the referee given a penalty for Mane’s challenge and that should be a lesson Liverpool should quickly learn; to finish off games when they are on top.
#2 Tottenham Hotspur Looked Off-Colour
Apart from a brief 10-minute spell before Liverpool’s first goal, Spurs were dominated for most of the game. Liverpool picked the right options more often than the hosts did. The Reds were lucky with their goals but created enough chances to win the game, long before Lamela scored.
Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Kieran Trippier and Christian Eriksen all dropped below-par performances while Harry Kane was starved of service for most of the game. It was their undoing the gifted Liverpool three crucial points in this tie. Pochettino’s diamond just didn’t work against a well-organised pressing unit.
#3 Were Liverpool lucky to get away with a penalty?
Michel Vorm let the ball slip on two occasions all game, and both mistakes cost his side goals. He did make eight saves in total on the night but was beaten twice, which was enough for Spurs to end up without a point. But a late penalty for Spurs could have easily saved him some blushes.
Sadio Mane seemed to have caught Son on his standing foot, but Michael Oliver only pointed for a goal-kick, before blowing the final whistle. The ref wasn’t in a good enough position to notice the foul.
To be fair, Spurs didn’t deserve a draw from the game but had there been VAR, Spurs would have probably won a late penalty.
Stat Credit: Whoscored.com