Talk about a game played at breakneck speed! We were expecting a battle of energy between two Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino-managed sides, but the relentless nature of the pace and pressing across 90 minutes was bewildering. We were out of breath just watching it.In terms of what actually happened in the north of London, Liverpool raced out of the blocks and led by half-time through a James Milner penalty, but the second-half saw Spurs grow back into proceedings and eventually equalise through Danny Rose. Two goals from two left-backs, an odd quirk.But there was much more to this afternoon thanÂjust the men who impacted the scoresheet. Indeed there were individual performances of note, numerous key moments and a few intriguing back stories that may bubble away over the coming season. Here are FIVE things we learnt…
Lloris not guaranteed a place when he returns
Michel Vorm was simply breath-taking through the 90 minutes in north London, with his first-half showing particularly notable. The Dutchman, only in the XI due to Hugo Lloris’ injury, was at his ‘sweeper keeper’ best to cut out a few through balls played for the pacey Sadio Mane, while his reflexes prevented an unmarked Philippe Coutinho from scoring from just eight yards.
Lloris will be back in the coming weeks, but he might not walk into the XI.
Spurs miss Dembele
As the above stat shows, Harry Kane really misses Mousa Dembele, as do the Spurs team as a whole. Although it’s quantifiable the degree of an impact the midfielder’s absence has on the striker, Dembele is missed in a more glaring sense when you watch the Lilywhites. Indeed, Pochettino’s men missed the Belgian’s driving energy in the middle of the pitch, with his ability to break forward a real tool when it comes to creating space and opportunities.
The sooner his suspension ends, the happier ‘Poch’ will be!
Matip looks a bargain
Liverpool shipped five goals in their opening two games of the season, but Matip has come in after an untimely injury and helped to make that tally a meagre one in the two matchesÂthis week. Granted, the first gameÂwas against Burton Albion, but the Cameroonian faced a real test this afternoon in the shape ofÂHarry Kane, yetÂhe stepped up and showed why Klopp was so eager to bring him to Anfield.
With pace and presence, Matip could be the centre-back the Merseyside club have been craving for some time.
Liverpool are consistently inconsistent
A fantastic performance away at Arsenal was followed by a limp defeat at newly-promoted Burnley, and Liverpool showed that consistency remains an issue for them against Spurs. The Reds were truly spectacular in the opening 45 minutes and really should have been out of sight at White Hart Lane before they perhaps tired in the closing stages as Tottenham came back into it.
Liverpool need to work on producing somewhere near their electric best over a whole 90 minute games and between matchesÂif they’re to challenge for the top four.
Sturridge no longer the key man
It took Klopp until 86 minutes to call for his prolific striker. Two goals in League Cup action against Burton Albion in midweek may have led Sturridge to expect a start at White Hart Lane, but he was once again left out for a big game. Although a lethal finisher, Sturridge doesn’t quite offer the relentless energy Klopp craves, and it was rather telling when Divock Origi came on ahead of him in the second-half.
Recent seasons have been characterised by Liverpool’s desire to rush Sturridge back, but it seems he’s no longer the main man.