Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool A Liverpool Perspective
After the wins over Real Madrid and Manchester City, which were very one-sided, it is hard to believe any performance could top those, but for 70 minutes of the 90 against Spurs, Liverpool went up to a whole new level. The big questions I have afterwards are how did they score only six (though it feels odd to use only in relation to six goals) and how did Spurs manage to score three? That was a hiding of epic proportions and it is hard to believe just how good Slot has this team playing. This performance was incredible. Yes, it was helped by the way the Londoners play under Postecoglou and their injury situations but it was still an exceptional and exciting performance.
It really felt like Liverpool could score every time they swept forward and Spurs just had no answer. If it was not for a couple of spells of complacency, that game would have been a much better reflection of the game than 6-3 actually was. It was certainly much more one-sided than that suggests. There is really not a lot to write here, it was a thrashing, but there was nothing out of the ordinary that Liverpool had to do to achieve it, other than play their game well. Press them, they give the ball away, attack them and they are wide open. That was it in a nutshell.
The end of the game showed how to control the play and see out time, but that only became possible because of the way Liverpool constantly broke the press throughout the game. There were periods when it was clear the Reds were baiting Tottenham in to press them, by slowly rolling the ball around, looking to create a gap when someone got tempted to chase it. It kept working as well, freeing up players all over the pitch, as Spurs’ press was ragged and they were not all reacting in time to the trigger. By the end of the game, understandable when you consider the scoreline, it was a broken Spurs team, who had lost the enthusiasm to even chase any teasing balls around the defence.
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs are turning into a massive disappointment under Postecoglou, the players are letting him down badly. Far too many are strolling around the pitch and not putting in the effort needed. The only player who seemed willing to put in the effort required, and consequently their only decent performer, was Kulusevski. It looks clear that they are already at the point where a choice needs to be made to rip it all up and start again, either by backing Postecoglou and offloading the main offenders, or by removing the Australian. Which almost certainly means that it will be the manager that makes way, as that is the easy option for Levy, before the fans turn on him.
However, while it is clear that the players are failing the manager, it is also clear that he is failing to make the most out of those players. There is no adaptability to circumstances and it is costing them badly. It does not take an expert to see that Forster is awful with his feet (actually for Premier League level, every part of his game is below the level required), and that is being kind about his kicking. It also should not take much to see that a high line only works if the defence, midfield and attack are working together as a cohesive unit. Just putting fast players at the back is not a solution, even with their first choice defence in place, they are just as bad at defending.
The front three is not pressing as a unit, the midfield is too slow to back them up and the defence is just stood up high waiting for the race back towards their goal when a ball gets played over them. There is nobody willing to organise them on the pitch, much as I love Son, he is not leading them. In fact, he is probably the biggest worry as he is not playing well in himself, let alone helping to get the others playing better. And, on top of the lack of organisation and cohesion, the whole team is incredibly slack with their passes, constantly passing themselves into trouble, before inevitably giving the ball away.
They are in a mess of similar proportions to Manchester United and they need the same drastic surgery to their team to fix it. The problem is that the repairs are going to require investment at a level that Levy is unlikely to sanction, even if the money is there to do it. The youth academy is not producing the talent to work with, so it is going to be a case of signing players to plug holes. I am just not sure that anything can be done to plug the holes Postecoglou’s system leaves against better sides. At the top end, you simply have to be better at defending, I am not sure he can or even if he is inclined to try and fix the defence.
Liverpool
Alisson – he spent most of the game sat in a deckchair watching the game like the rest of us! There was a dip in levels after Liverpool went 2-0 up, which led to Spurs pulling one back, but I believe he could do nothing about the shot from Madisson. It was cleverly bent around the defenders, which meant Alisson was unsighted until too late. The second half was more of the same for him, watching the game until after Liverpool’s fifth, when they got complacent again and let Spurs back into the game. Alisson was needed to stop it becoming 5-2 much earlier than it did. He could do nothing about the second, though you do have to wonder if there was a possibility he could have claimed the ball in the air. He also made a good save at 6-3 to stop Spurs making the game look far too close a contest. Overall though, he just had it nice and easy.
Alexander-Arnold – defended well, almost scored with a cracking shot and produced a masterclass in passing to top it off. His cross for the opening goal was a thing of beauty – when you talk about bending it like Beckham, well that is exactly what you are meaning. Son had a very poor game, in large part thanks to Alexander-Arnold.
Gomez – an excellent game from Gomez, the kind of performance he was routinely putting in during the Premier League title-winning season under Klopp. He was all over the pitch sweeping up at times. Though, it must be said, he could have done better on the first Spurs goal and been more vocal to get the midfield to drop in and cover on the second. The midfield were sleeping and he could not deal with everyone, so he needed to bawl at them to wake them up.
van Dijk – like Gomez, he could have done better on the first Spurs goal, he also allowed himself to be drawn out of position on the second, though he does have every right to expect the midfield to drop in and cover the gap left. But, he still should have disengaged a bit sooner and dropped back. Overall though, a good game for him, though he will not be happy at letting in three goals in one match.
Robertson – a mixed game for him, some poor crosses and awful defending on the third Spurs goal in particular, but he also did some excellent work too. He did struggle up against Kulusevski, but the Swede is an excellent player. Once Kulusevski moved inside after Spurs made some subs, Robertson was much better.
Gravenberch – apart from a spell after Liverpool scored their fifth, when he was asleep defensively, Gravenberch was once again exceptional. He does need to be more alert to a centre-back being caught up field pressing the ball though.
Mac Allister – after his pathetic piece of play acting, trying to win a free kick rather than getting on with the game and possibly stopping Spurs scoring their first, he was much better. It seemed to wake him up when he did not get the decision he was hoping for and, after that, he was getting stuck in, rather than throwing himself to the floor when involved in contact. And, of course, he scored the second after a really good, well-timed, late run into the box to steal a march on the defence.
Szoboszlai – outstanding! He was my man of the match, though there are a lot of options for that accolade. However, the Hungary captain seemed to be everywhere and at the heart of everything Liverpool did. His workrate, passing and timing of the run was absolutely brilliant in this game.
Salah – brilliant game from a player who is making a stronger case for being the greatest player ever in the Premier League. Each week that goes by, he seems to be setting new records and this week it was becoming the fastest player in Prem history to notch double figures in goals and assists, getting two more of each. I am not sure there is even an argument to be made for anyone else right now for being the best player in the world. Salah has been so good this season, that he is making it more and more laughable that he gets so little recognition from FIFA and UEFA.
Diaz – played in the centre as a false 9 and was excellent, though Tottenham’s defending did help with that. However, his movement was very good and they could not cope with it at all. Could easily have scored more than the couple he got.
Gakpo – had a decent game, but not at the level he has been playing. There were a number of times his touch was poor, one of them led to him getting a booking.
Jones – replaced Mac Allister in the 68th minute. He never seemed able to get up to speed in the game and was caught chasing the play a lot. Should have done better on the second Spurs goal.
Jota – came on for Gakpo in the 68th minute. Went into the centre, so Diaz could go back onto the left. While he did have a few moments of loose play, like the moment when he should have done better with a header, he worked hard to make up for his mistakes. At one point, after he gave the ball away sloppily, he chased Kulusevski back 50 yards to try and recover it. At one point his desire was enough to win a ball against a number of Spurs’ players, as he just wanted it more.
Nunez – took Diaz’s place in the 86th minute. Played on the left and did a decent enough job in the few minutes he was on the pitch.
Elliott – was brought on in place of Salah in the 86th minute. Played a lovely ball to Szoboszlai right at the end, but played on the right which no longer seems to be his best position at all.
Written by Tris Burke December 25 2024 15:30:56
