Liverpool stifle Spurs: 3 things we learned

Liverpool top Tottenham 2-1 in a match that felt devoid of drama for 93 minutes. Here are three things we learned.

If only the excitement of the final two minutes could have extended to the first 93! Liverpool well and truly dominated the match, forcing mistake after Tottenham mistake. Here are three takeaways from what was set up to be one of the season’s biggest early matches.

Liverpool roll on

If you were wondering if Liverpool are truly a threat to Manchester City, wonder no longer. Sure, Liverpool had raced out to the top of the table with the best goal differential in the Premier League, but they had yet to play one of the big six clubs, and Jurgen Klopp’s heavy metal football tends to overwhelm weaker sides with ease. It was tough to glean too much from their early matches.

Today Liverpool didn’t overwhelm Spurs with their high-flying attack; rather, they capitalized on Spurs mistakes time after time, wearing them down in the midfield and sucking the life out of the Spurs attack. The difference in style was noticeable not just when looking at the caliber of opponent, but also when projecting what Liverpool can accomplish this season.

In the past, while Klopp has had teams playing stylish, exciting attacking soccer, they’ve left themselves open to late goals and mental lapses. Against the biggest clubs, they’ve at times struggled — as was evident in the last Premier League meetings between these two clubs. One Erik Lamela beauty notwithstanding, the organized outing Klopp promised came to fruition. Assuming this is a sign of things to come, and Klopp has not only adjusted his tactics slightly but also added personnel to shore up some weaknesses, Liverpool should be striking much more fear into the hearts of opponents than they did last season.

We’re primed for a season-long battle for the title. It may only be a two-horse race, but Liverpool have every right to say they’re Manchester City’s equal thus far.

The Reds defense is for real

We were treated to some late drama thanks to a Spurs goal in the 93rd minute. While it threatened to turn the narrative on its head, the truth remains: Liverpool have become a defensive beast.

The variety of ways Liverpool can now stop opponents is truly something. Klopp’s press will always win back possession high up the pitch for his for forwards, and in the past that’s been the first and only line of defense for his clubs. Today the midfield took the reigns, and Liverpool spent less time on the break and more time forcing Spurs turnovers.

When the press doesn’t work, though, it often leaves the back line completely open to and vulnerable. Against a Spurs attack which can get in behind almost anyone, opportunities were few and far between. The defensive evolution of Liverpool has been in the works for months, but it’s become clear this isn’t an aberration. They’ve conceded one goal if you exclude Alisson’s brain-neutral moment against Leicester.

When their press is on, and the back line is playing well, Liverpool are a complete team. Maybe the most complete in the league. We’ve learned all we can about this group now. Until they get their shot at the defending champs, all we can say is they’re among the best.

Missing Spurs tell a story

The matchup, and eventually the final score, can be explained in large part by the critical Spurs players who couldn’t take the pitch today.

With Dele Alli out, Mauricio Pochettino turned to Harry Winks in a midfield three with Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele. While Winks has been a player with loads of potential for a few seasons now, he missed most of the past two seasons due to injury and was making his first start of the season. This midfield battle was incredibly one sided. Winks, frankly, wasn’t very good. Outside of a couple Dembele Renaissance moments, Spurs constantly gave away the ball and had trouble stringing together passes. Part of the reason Harry Kane seemed non-existent was that Spurs just couldn’t build the ball up with this makeshift midfield.

However, the absence of a Spurs’ stalwart was even more obvious between the pipes. Captain Hugo Lloris has been dealing with a lot lately, but it was a thigh injury, not his legal troubles, which kept him out. Long-time backup Michel Vorm got the start and put in an uninspiring performance. A poor punch from Vorm prevented Tottenham from clearing the ball, resulting in a headed goal Vorm again had a chance to stop. The second goal bounced off the post and flew straight through his arms to fall at the feet of Roberto Firmino. This isn’t the first big match where Vorm has faltered in relief of Lloris. In last season’s FA Cup semifinal, his shortcomings were blamed for Manchester United’s winning goals.

Spurs’ depth has been put in question early this season, with midfield injuries highlighting the lack of summer signings. But no Lloris has hurt Spurs more often, and in matches against the best clubs, Tottenham can’t get by without their first-choice XI.