Football News Liverpool vs Tottenham: Why Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp said Liverpool ‘showed who we are’ in their 3-1 win over Tottenham on Thursday.

Liverpool moved back into the top four, closing the gap to leaders Manchester City to four points – though City retains a game in hand.

Roberto Firmino, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Sadio Mane scored as Klopp’s side notched their first league goals of 2021 and recovered from back-to-back defeats against Burnley and Manchester United in style – though there were yet more injury worries in defense.

“What I saw today was not about form, it’s… who we are. That’s us. Today, the second half especially, was us. It was a massive fight and football on top of that.

“I don’t know the numbers but I think apart from a few minutes in the first half, I don’t remember them having a lot of the ball. It was always pretty quick and counter-attacking and we defender really well. It was just a good performance and I saw a lot of things I wanted to see.

“Offensively, the way we played, I thought we coped really well with their formation. Played around, played in between, so we were so often in and around the box which is really important. The counter-press was really good. The last line defended really well; high enough but not crazy high.”

Firmino opened the scoring with the last kick of the half from Mane’s assist. Alexander-Arnold doubled the lead almost immediately after the restart with a powerful finish but Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg pulled a goal back with a stunning half-volley within two minutes.

As well as taking Liverpool four points clear of Spurs – though Jose Mourinho’s side does also have a game in hand – the result provides a welcome boost ahead of a huge run of fixtures and following a double injury setback.

Stand in center-half Fabinho was ruled out of the squad altogether with a ‘minor muscle issue’, while Matip was taken off at half-time.

EPL 2021 Table