Spurs 1-1 Liverpool: (match report)

Yesterday afternoon the Lillywhites fought back to get a 1-1 draw with Liverpool at the lane in a match in which we managed to get a well earned point against Jurgen Klopp’s impressive side. It was the Reds who started the brightest and they went incredibly close to taking an early lead in the fifth minute, after Firmino burst in to the box before the forward squared it to fellow country man Philippe Coutinho who unmarked, shot from 10 yards out, but Michel Vorm pulled off a tremendous low save with his leg to deny Liverpool from taking an early lead. Just over 20 minutes later Vorm was again forced into making another top save after Coutinho fired an effort at goal from just out side the area after he chested it and brought it down following Mane’s pass. Coutinho’s effort was saved well by the Dutchman who got down well to deny the forward with a diving save. We were unable to take control of the game in the remaining minutes of the first half and following Kyle Walker’s injury our shape wasn’t the same. on the stroke of half time Liverpool were awarded a penalty kick after Erik Lamela brought down Firmino in the box, James Milner stepped up to despatch his penalty with great precision and put Liverpool one up at the break.

Shortly after the start of the second half Liverpool went close to doubling there lead through Cameroonian centre back Joel Matip who was picked out by Coutinho from the resulting corner, before heading an effort that skimmed the top of the crossbar. Just past the hour mark we had a golden chance to equalise after Eric Dier sent in a good cross from the right which found Eriksen inside the area. However, the Dane couldn’t keep his effort down as he hit it over the bar. We finally equalised in the 72nd minute through Danny Rose, after the England international finished of a fantastic attacking move from the Lillywhites, following Eric Dier’s cross into the box Lamela headed the ball back to Rose who fired the ball past Mignolet and into the net. Neither side got a real hold of the game in the remaining minutes, though the Reds came desperately close to snatching a winner in stoppage time through Adam Lallana who was closing in on goal before Alderweireld pulled a world class challenge to ensure we got the point.

Yesterday wasn’t our finest performance and in some ways getting a draw was a bonus from a tough game against Jurgen Klopp’s side. Hopefully we can make a couple of signings before the end of the window to add depth to our squad, and come back from the international break ready to take on Stoke. Michel Vorm had an outstanding game in goal making a couple of world class saves, the Dutchman kept us in the game. Vorm who was officialy voted the man of the match also was a fantastic sweeper keeper through out the game as he came out tostop the incoming danger of Sadio Mane who was through on goal. Victor Wanyama had yet another excellent game in the centre of the park, making some key interceptions and the Kenyan was solid throughout yesterday’s game. In addition Onomah made a positive appearance from the bench in the second half.

 
Spurs (4-2-3-1): Vorm; Walker (Janssen 27), Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Wanyama; Lamela, Alli, Eriksen (Winks 90+3); Kane (c, Onomah 83). Substitutes (not used): McGee, Carter-Vickers, Davies, Son.
Liverpool (4-3-3): Mignolet; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Lallana (Stewart 90+3); Mane (Sturridge 88), Firmino, Coutinho (Origi 69). Substitutes (not used): Manninger, Grujic, Moreno, Lucas.
Goals: Spurs – Rose 72; Liverpool – Milner (pen) 43.
Yellow cards: Spurs – Rose, Vertonghen, Alli; Liverpool – Mane, Coutinho, Henderson, Matip.