Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp was in high spirits after watching his team return to form with a 3-1 Premier League win over Spurs in London.
The home side adopted a not-so-surprising Jose Mourinho approach, sitting deep and hoping for openings on the break. However, despite an early scare due to Heung-min Son’s offside goal, Spurs rarely threatened Alisson Becker’s goal.
Liverpool went ahead just before the break after some excellent play from both Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mané to put it on a plate for Roberto Firmino to finish. Just two minutes into the second half, Trent Alexander-Arnold scored after some sloppy goalkeeping from Hugo Lloris to put The Reds two up. Pierre Emile-Højbjerg bagged an absolute cracker for Spurs shortly afterwards but it was to be no more than a consolation goal for Mourinho’s men. Mané made it 3-1 in the 65th minute and that was how it finished.
Mohamed Salah also had a perfectly good goal disallowed due to a dodgy handball decision against Firmino much earlier in the build-up. In the replay, Eric Dier could clearly be seen fouling Firmino while also handling the ball himself. The ball then bounced from Dier’s hand and onto Firmino’s. The outcome – a free-kick to Spurs, of course.
Liverpool also had to start with Joël Matip and Jordan Henderson in central defence when it was revealed that Fabinho had a minor muscle injury. Matip played very well but then had to go off at half time. Nat Phillips replaced him and put in a very solid performance alongside the excellent Henderson in the second half.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Klopp could not hide his delight after watching his Liverpool team return to their free-scoring ways.
“It was a great game. Super intense. We scored goals in the right moment – wonderful goals – the right people scored goals too. All good except obviously Joël Matip had to go. Second half especially… that was us.”
The relief was clear for all to see on Klopp’s face at the end of the game. It was Liverpool’s first Premier League victory since mid-December when The Reds won 7-0 at Crystal Palace.
Next up for Liverpool is another London fixture when they visit West Ham on Sunday.
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