Three keys for Tottenham Hotspur to beat Liverpool in EPL

Three keys for Tottenham vs. Liverpool

If this match were held a month ago, Spurs fans would likely be more optimistic about heading to Anfield, but Tottenham’s form has dropped over the last month. A month ago, Spurs were in the middle of a four-match winning streak, which pushed the Lilywhites above Arsenal for a week. If Tottenham is to recapture that form and beat Liverpool, they need to do these three things.

Spurs need to play for a full 90 minutes

Villareal pushed Liverpool a little this past week, which will hopefully help Tottenham. However, if Spurs took anything away from that match, it should have been that Liverpool played from whistle to whistle. Even when Tottenham thrashed Newcastle and Aston Villa last month, Spurs were not getting a total 90-minute effort.

If Tottenham beats Liverpool, Spurs need to give it all from minute one until the final whistle at whatever amount the referee awards as added injury time.  Even if the board reads +10, Tottenham has to dig down and play their most demanding and intelligent football for the full 90 minutes.

We have seen in the past that if Spurs turn off, whether in the first minute, first-half injury-time, or the 90th minute, Liverpool can put one past us. Those mental mistakes and any lack of effort cannot occur.

Tottenham must ignore the referees

At this point, one would think Spurs would be used to not getting a lot of calls. However, any hope of being on the receiving end of many favourable decisions should leave when you face Liverpool. Regardless of who the referee is or where the game is played, teams should expect Liverpool to the more of the 50/50 calls.

Given the match is at Anfield and Michael Oliver is the referee, Spurs should not be anticipating a run of calls. Oliver is not Craig Pawson, and for that, we should be appreciative.

Regardless, the players need to neither complain nor go down easily looking for calls. Instead, players need to put their heads down and get in position after the whistle and work to fight through tough tackles. Complaining about not getting a call does not help, especially against Liverpool. Ask Barcelona how quickly the Reds can restart when you are otherwise preoccupied.

Part of playing for 90 minutes is keeping your head in the game; Spurs do that better when the referee is not sharing that headspace. A realistic attitude about what to expect from officiating is the only sane approach.

Harry Kane needs to be Harry Kane

Maybe the most significant difference over the last month for Tottenham Hotspur has been their talisman, Harry Kane. During their March-April winning streak, Kane pulled strings from all over the pitch. His passes were pinpoint and precise, like his runs were on target in the box.

Over the last few matches, the passes Kane has been perfect on have been that fraction off. Unfortunately, in professional football, that fraction off is all it takes for the ball to skip out of bounds or be gobbled up by an alert goalkeeper. To beat Liverpool, Kane needs to get that sharpness back.

The good news is that against Leicester City last weekend, Kane got back in the goals. Spurs will likely need some scoring threat from Kane to be in the game. However, Tottenham needs Kane to facilitate the attack to push Liverpool and win. In a game where the first to three or even four will win, Spurs need Kane doing Kane things.