Liverpool FC has only lost once in the Premier League thus far in the 2021/22 season, so what does Tottenham need to do if Spurs are to top the Reds.
West Ham is the only club to beat Liverpool this season, winning at London Stadium. That day, the Hammers benefited from an Allison own-goal, to take an early lead en route to the 3-2 win. That early own goal gave the Hammers a lead that did not last until half-time and then two second-half-goals were just enough to hold off the Reds, who took nine of their 16 shots in the second half.
Tottenham certainly cannot count on an own-goal but the Hammer victory shows Liverpool can be beaten. Absent a freebie or two from the Liverpool defence, here are the keys to Tottenham taking all three points in north London on Sunday evening.
Tottenham needs to score first
Liverpool has dropped points in the league on five occasions thus far in their campaign, in three of those five matches, the Reds fell behind. Both Brighton and Manchester City have come back on Liverpool to earn draws, however, that is not the advisable approach.
Typically, if Liverpool scores first, they also are the team who scores second too, having netted at least two goals without a response in 11 matches this season. While Tottenham is coming off a layoff, making this match very tricky. Still, the Lilywhites have been starting well under Antonio Conte.
In each of their last two wins, Tottenham has scored first and done so within the first 15 minutes. Spurs scored at 12 minutes in the 2-0 win over Brentford and at the 10-minute mark in the 3-0 win over Norwich.
In 10 matches under Nuno Espirito Santo, Tottenham scored only once in the first 15-minutes – at the 10-minute mark in the 0-1 win over Wolverhampton. I am not saying the last two matches are a trend but scoring early twice from four matches does bode well for Spurs in comparison to earlier this season. If Tottenham is to have success on Sunday, scoring the first goal will certainly help.
Getting that first goal is always helpful but you cannot count on one goal being enough against the Reds. Liverpool has scored in every match this season and has scored three or more in eight of 17 games. Keeping a clean sheet would be great but seems kind of wishful, instead, Spurs need to play smart.
Tottenham needs to limit Liverpool’s looks
At 2.8 goals per match, no one in the league – not even might Manchester City – is scoring at the pace of Liverpool. There is good reason for this output, beyond the great players, which is Liverpool take a lot of chances.
According to footystats the Reds take over 20 shots per match, which is 60% more than the 12 per game Tottenham take. Those 20 attempts are converted into some seven shots on target per match. With that kind of volume, it is no wonder Liverpool are scoring like they are.
That production is the equivalent of one shot every 4.5 minutes and one shot on target approximately every 12 minutes. The Reds are like a machine offensively and Tottenham needs to work hard to limit their opportunities to shoot and work to limit those shots on target.
In the five matches where Liverpool have dropped points, they have averaged just 15 shots and less than five on target. It may not seem like a big difference but five extra shots with two more on target can be all the difference in the world, Spurs need to keep Liverpool’s shooting under control to win.
Spurs need to play until the bitter end
One of the keys to Liverpool’s success is their relentlessness. Liverpool seems to keep coming and coming, which is why they often turn one-goal leads until three-goal leads. A big part of this drive is that Liverpool plays until the final whistle, in both halves.
Five of Liverpool’s 48 goals, just over 10% have come in added time. Twice – once in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in August and again in a 5-0 drubbing of Manchester United in October – has Liverpool scored in first half extra-time.
The Reds have added a further three goals past the 90th minute. Two of the three were just padded stats in a 0-3 win over Leeds and a 0-5 win over Watford. However, Divock Origi‘s goal in the fourth minute of extra time against Wolves just two weeks ago was the game-winner in Liverpool’s 0-1 win.
If Tottenham takes any time off before the final whistle – in either half – the Reds are likely to make Spurs pay for it. However, if Spurs can play the full 90+, limit Liverpool’s chances, and maybe even score first, Tottenham can beat the Reds. But those are some pretty big ifs.