Roberto Firmino has scored Liverpool’s fifth goal in their last six Premier League games against Spurs.
Liverpool made an impressive return to the Premier League with a convincing win over Tottenham Hotspur.
After five league games without a win – four of which were scoreless – Liverpool returned to the top four with a resounding victory over uninspired Spurs.
Spurs, who were without striker Harry Kane at half-time due to an ankle injury, saw Son Heung-min sent off early on before Liverpool scored in the 482nd minute. He was rewarded with a first division goal in the 15th minute of the first half.
Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino took advantage of hesitation between Eric Dier and Hugo Lloris to score from close range from a Sadio Mane cross.
Two minutes after the break, France goalkeeper Lloris fouled again when he sent Mane’s shot into the path of right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who finished with a superb save.
Pierre-Emile Heubjerg’s 20-yard goal gave Spurs hope almost immediately, but Liverpool still controlled an entertaining second half.
After Mohamed Salah’s goal was disallowed by VAR following a hands ball from Firmino in preparation for the match, Mane capitalised on a mistake at Joe Rodon’s usually strong second post to secure Jurgen Klopp’s victory.
Liverpool are now four points behind leaders Manchester City with one game to go.
Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp is delighted with Spurs’ three goals after a recent campaign.
Liverpool overcome new injuries
It was an outstanding performance by Liverpool, who faced even greater problems in central defence.
Fabinho, who shone in the unfamiliar central role in the absence of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomes, dropped out with a slight muscle problem, while the weak Joel Matip lasted just 45 minutes when he returned to the squad.
In the second half, Liverpool’s central defensive pairing consisted of captain Jordan Henderson and the inexperienced Nathaniel Phillips.
While this mismatched pair of central defenders did their job well, it was at the other end that Liverpool resumed their brilliant performance, with Mane in constant danger, while Firmino and Salah were full of danger and creativity.
Liverpool have been in disappointing form of late, relegated to the Premier League and failing to beat Manchester United in the FA Cup, but this was a warning of bad luck for the champions, who are in danger of being eliminated at their own peril.
Tottenham 1-3 Liverpool : Harry Kane out for several weeks after injuring both ankles – Mourinho.
The tracks are flat – and now Kane is in trouble.
Jose Mourinho spent most of the second half trying to provoke a reaction from the Spurs players, but to no avail as their performance was mediocre.
Liverpool were always going to be a big threat when Son’s early arrival was disallowed by VAR, but it was a moment of indecision between Dierre and Lloris that opened the door for Firmino at the end of the first half.
Just after half-time and after a warning from Mourinho after Spurs had given Salah a chance, Alexander-Arnold scored to give Liverpool a two-goal lead.
Son continued to create danger, but even Heubjerg’s breather from the edge of the penalty area could not inspire Spurs, who seemed bereft of ideas long before the final whistle.
The lack of threat was perhaps less surprising after the loss of Kane, who was treated twice for an ankle injury before succumbing to a second left ankle injury sustained in an innocuous duel with Henderson.
Mourinho has hinted that Kane may be out for a few weeks after the game, and on that basis Spurs will not be at their best without their talisman and top scorer.
Why Liverpool love playing Spurs – any day of the week
- Liverpool have won six league games for the first time in their history and have won three league games in a row away at Spurs.
- Liverpool have now beaten Tottenham in all of their seven elite games, putting them third behind Everton and West Ham.
- Jose Mourinho has lost six league games at home to Tottenham, more than at any of his previous clubs.
- Liverpool won three times in London this season in the Premier League: in September 2-0 at Chelsea and in December 7-0 at Crystal Palace.
- Striker Roberto Firmino ended Liverpool’s run in the 482nd minute. Minute and gave the 93. Premier League goal scored by Sadio Mane against West Brom last month.
- Firmino scored in five of his last six Premier League appearances against Tottenham, including each of his last three away appearances against them.
- Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has scored more goals in the Premier League than any other defender in the league since the start of last season (21 – five goals, 16 assists).
- Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s goal is his first goal for Tottenham in any competition in his 30th appearance for the club. Give the signal to the North Londoners.
What’s the next step?
Liverpool travel to West Ham on Sunday (16.30 GMT), the team whose victory over Spurs moved them higher in the rankings. Tottenham also return to action on Sunday when they visit Brighton (19:15 GMT).
The player of the game
ManeSadio Mane
Lines
Tottenham
training 3-4-3
1Lloris
14Rhodon15Dir33Davis
24Aurier5Højbjerg28Ndombele2Doherty
23Bergwijn10Kane7Son Heung-Min
- 1Lloris
- 14Rodon
- 15Animal
- 33 Announcements
- 24OpenVersions for Vincat 45’minutes
- 5Heubjerg
- 28Home
- 2oherty
- 23BergweinSwapped for Baleat 81’min
- 10KaneSubstitution of Lamelabei 45’min
- 7Sung Heung Min
replaces
- 4OldWire
- 6D Sanchez
- 8 Eyeblink
- 9Ball
- 11Lamela
- 12-Heart
- 17Cissoko
- 27Lucas Moura
- 45Alves Plus
Liverpool
Formation of a 4-3-3
1Alisson
66Alexander-Arnold32Matip14Henderson26Robertson
6Tiago Alcantara5Vijnaldum7Milner
11Salah9Firmino10Mane
- 1Alisson
- 66 Alexander-Arnold
- 32MatipPhillipsat replacement 45’minutesPast in 50 minutes
- 14 Henderson.
- 26Robertson.
- 6Thiago AlcántaraReserved after 24 minutesRemoved byJones after 78 minutes
- 5Bijnaldum
- 7Miller
- 11Salah
- 9FirminReplaced for Origiat 87’minutes
- 10 Manet
replaces
- 15Oxlada-Chamberlain
- 17 Jones
- 18 Minamino
- 21Cymicas
- 23Shakiri
- 27Origi
- 46R Williams
- 47Phillips
- 62Kelleher
Real-time text
- The match finishes, Tottenham Hotspur 1, Liverpool 3.
- End of the second half, Tottenham Hotspur 1, Liverpool 3.
- Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) hits a free kick on the opponent’s half.
- Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur) is penalised after committing a foul.
- Substitution : Liverpool. Divock Origi replaces Roberto Firmino.
- Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) hits a free kick on the opponent’s half.
- Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur) is penalised after committing a foul.
- Substitution : Tottenham Hotspur. Gareth Bale replaces Stephen Bergwein.
- Offside, Liverpool. Alisson takes a shot to the nose but Sadio Mane is offside.
- Substitution : Liverpool. Curtis Jones replaces Thiago.
- Corner, Liverpool. Diversionary tactics by Eric Dier.
- Sadio Mane (Liverpool) is penalised after committing a foul.
- Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur) is awarded a free kick in the opponent’s half.
- The attempt failed. Thiago (Liverpool)’s right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Roberto Firmino.
- Goal! Tottenham Hotspur 1, Liverpool 3. Sadio Mané shot high and wide of the goal from the centre of the box. Prepared by Trent Alexander-Arnold with a cross.
- James Milner (Liverpool) is awarded a free kick on the half of the opposition.
- Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur) is penalised after committing a foul.
- The attempt failed. Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino’s right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area was close, but missed the top right corner. Backed by Mohamed Salah.
- Sadio Mane (Liverpool) is penalised after committing a foul.
- Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur) is awarded a free kick in the opponent’s half.
