Two narratives played out on Sunday afternoon as Tottenham again fell behind in the first half, and Liverpool again beat Tottenham Hotspur.
In a story that is becoming all too familiar for Tottenham Hotspur fans, Spurs fell behind in the first half. However, unlike in our previous two matches, where Spurs came back to win 2-3, the comeback fell short, and it was just another loss to Liverpool.
Tottenham is neither terrible nor good enough in the first half
This was not a match where Tottenham sat back the entire first half. Tottenham was looking to push forward with a high line in the back, which saw Eric Dier often pushing up past Emerson Royal on the wing.
The more open style of play left Tottenham a bit more stretched defensively, and Liverpool took advantage early to change the game’s complexion. Andrew Robertson had the room up the left flank to make it possible to get a good entry pass to Darwin Nunes in the box. As multiple Tottenham defenders looked to close on Darwin, he touched the ball square to Mo Salah, alone inside the penalty box.
Salah took a touch to pop the ball into the air and then rocketed a volley that left Hugo Lloris stone-footed as Liverpool took the early 0-1 lead in north London.
After falling behind, Spurs responded well, with Royal playing the ball forward to Harry Kane, who crossed to Ivan Perisic. Unfortunately for Tottenham, Perisic’s header was not clean, as the ball deflected off Alison and then the post.
Perisic, who started in place of the injured Heung-min Son, was good all day but never found that magic moment.
A disastrous moment for Dier and Spurs
The play that ultimately changed the game was another self-inflicted wound from Tottenham Hotspur. Alison played a long ball out from the back, aiming toward Salah. The ball was Dier’s to win as it was only Salah against three Tottenham defenders, which is when Dier biffed it hard.
More than 30 yards away from the goal, Dier decided to head the ball back to Hugo Lloris, a play well read by Salah. Whether it was Dier catching Salah in his line of sight or something else, his header was terrible, bounding off his shoulder and directly to the feet of the flashing Salah.
From that point, one-on-one with Lloris, Salah was in his world, and he cooly chipped over Lloris to give Liverpool a two-goal advantage.
Spurs were clearly out of sorts at this point in the game; Liverpool continued to press and pressure, with Firminho nearly forcing Lloris into a terrible mistake in the back. Fortunately, the Lilywhites held on until half-time to get the dressing down; they needed to play attacking football.
Spurs surge in the second half, but come back is not enough
Tottenham was a far better side in the second half and started as they would again complete a two-goal comeback. Less than five minutes into the half, Perisic was again as close as you get.
The play came from a Dier diagonal ball, a staple of Spurs gameplan on the afternoon. Dier was playing the ball to Perisic directly, but it was overhit. Ryan Sessegnon did not quit on the play and managed to get to the end line before the ball, heading it back into the penalty area, where Perisic’s effort went over, clipping the crossbar on the way.
Although it was not the goal Spurs were looking for, it was a true sign of intent.
Tottenham kept the pressure up but could not find the right ball into the box, or if they did, they could not connect. Royal and Bentancur both overhit crosses, while Kane tried too hard and cost Sessegnon a chance. However, the game shifted with the return of Dejan Kulusevski with just over 20 minutes to play.
The return of Kulusevski gives Tottenham a bounce
Immediately upon introduction, you could see the lift in the team, as Spurs had more pep in their step. Quickly moving the ball forward, Dier played the ball ahead to Matt Doherty, who came on at the same time as Kulusevski. Doherty played the ball into Deki, who pushed it forward to the flashing Harry Kane.
Kane made no mistake with his chance as he buried the ball at the far post.
Twenty minutes were left, and Tottenham had it all to play for. Unfortunately, as the Lilywhites pressed, pressured, and dominated possession, a winner could not be found.
Deki played a back post ball, but no one made a run. Perisic chipped in, and Kane flicked it back post, only for Rodrigo Bentancur to end up in the net, not the ball. Tottenham pressured, and it looked like Liverpool would break. Only the Reds never did concede a second goal.
Tottenham’s last chance, a Perisic cross was deflected into the arms of Alison, and Tottenham remained winless against Liverpool since October of 2017.
It was a strong comeback, but not enough against a previously struggling Liverpool side, leaving Spurs in fourth and again asking questions about the first 45-minutes.