Jason Burt, Chief Football Correspondent, At Tottenham Hotspur StadiumandSarah Rendell
Report: Clinical Salah reignites Liverpool's top-four bid
For a must-win game along came Mo. Whether Liverpool actually deserved to triumph was a moot point but two sharply taken first-half goals by Mohamed Salah were enough to rekindle their dampened down hopes of finishing in the top four.
Once again, maddeningly for their supporters, Tottenham Hotspur did not get going until they were behind and will argue they should have salvaged at least a hard-fought draw as their own aspirations of qualifying for the Champions League were damaged.
Jürgen Klopp joked that Salah had scored “400 goals” against Spurs (in fact it is eight for Liverpool) but the forward certainly has an impressive record against other so-called top-six sides. It is 44 goals for him against that level of opposition and, thankfully for Liverpool, he continues to thrive in this environment.
It is also nine goals in his past eight games for Salah, who certainly has brushed aside concerns over his form as he has reinforced, with Sadio Mané leaving and Darwin Núñez arriving for such a big fee, that he emphatically remains Liverpool’s main man.
“Insane,” was Klopp’s verdict on the numbers the 30-year-old will post by the end of his career and they certainly will be, even if the numbers the manager is concerned about right now are how far Liverpool are behind.
The result means they move up to eighth, seven points behind fourth-placed Spurs with a game in hand. Anything short of victory would have left them in a bleak position, as Klopp had conceded. It was a result that could be season-defining – and that is the thing about must-win games: they have to be won.
For Antonio Conte there was frustration. Yes, his options were limited by Son Heung-min’s injury and with Dejan Kulusevski only fit enough for the bench – and what a difference he made when he eventually came on – but once more he left himself open to the accusation that his essentially defensive tactics are holding his team back. Especially in first halves, after which, once more, they were booed off
Even so they struck the goal-frame twice, through makeshift striker Ivan Perisic (Liverpool did once), and created a host of chances after they finally lifted the handbrake as the game became increasingly frantic.
Why does Conte allow this to happen? At the end he stood grimacing as Klopp was able – finally – to celebrate with the Liverpool fans. “It was not my plan, actually. Got carried away,” he conceded. Remarkably this was his side’s first away win in the Premier League this season.
What a contrast for Spurs, who were rigidly set-up as a 5-3-2 in the first 45 minutes and yet switched it up with Eric Dier almost playing as a right-winger after the break. It summed up a game of stark contrasts for him also as the defending from Dier was, frankly, dire as Salah claimed his two goals.
Given Spurs had set up so defensively – Harry Kane was their only real attacker – they were curiously vulnerable, especially down their right. Four times Liverpool exploited the huge swathes of space. Three times they went close. On the fourth occasion they scored. How? Did not Conte – or his players – see the danger of Rodrigo Bentancur pushing on and the gap between Emerson Royal and Dier?
Still, it took a deft touch from Núñez to control Andrew Robertson’s pass into him before he swivelled and set up Salah, who fired low past Hugo Lloris. It was the sixth game in a row Spurs had conceded first. Once again they had a hill to climb.
Rightly the goal stung them. They went close when Perisic met Kane’s cross only for Alisson to deflect his header on to a post. Then they should have had a penalty when Trent Alexander-Arnold shoved Ryan Sessegnon in the back only for play to be waved on.
Alexander-Arnold continues to be a conundrum. He is so potent in attack, with Liverpool’s greatest threat being the booming diagonal passes he hits right to left, and a bit of a liability in defence, where he appears to use his hands more than his feet.
Yet it was a Spurs defender – and another England international – who gifted the next goal when Dier made a mess of heading a long ball forward from Alisson back to his own goalkeeper. Instead it dropped woefully short, allowing Salah to steal in. Suddenly he was through on goal and the net was bulging as he chipped the ball beyond Lloris. “World-class goals,” Klopp purred.
Salah conceded Liverpool were “lucky” to be two goals ahead – and they were. But that did not excuse Spurs, especially as the switch was flicked after half-time with Perisic crashing a shot back the crossbar.
Spurs’ rising desperation meant the game became incredibly open and end-to-end. They took more and more risks. Liverpool knew a third goal would kill it and Lloris denied Salah and Núñez before Conte replaced his wing-backs, with Kulusevski receiving a roar of approval as he returned from injury.
The Swede made an immediate impact as he threaded a pass through to Kane, who then superbly struck a powerful shot across Alisson into the corner of the net.
Spurs went close when Clement Lenglet headed just over from a corner before Liverpool countered, Núñez clipping the top of the bar with a rising shot. As the clock ticked down, Spurs threw everything they could at Liverpool and Kane’s header skimmed across goal. But it was not enough as Alisson – aided by Ibrahima Konaté on his first league start – stood firm. Liverpool had the precious win as Spurs once more rued their slow start.
As it happened: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Liverpool 2
Kane speaks
Tottenham captain Harry Kane told Sky: "It's been the story of our season for sure, we haven't been playing well enough in the first half... The mistake for the second goal really hurt us.
"It's hard to say, we have been asked this a lot. There are moments where there is tension when someone gives the ball away but to be a big team you have to be able to handle that... We have to go back and look at this game especially, I don't think it was all terrible.
"I think our home support has been incredible, they are really pushing us on. Of course there will be time where people make mistakes and that is when they should be behind us. But we should be able to handle it.
And on Son absence: "I think we have players who are playing in different position, we have been unfortunate with injuries... Whoever plays we still feel we can create chances."
Kane's goal
Kane is a beautiful finisher and today was no different. Tottenham didn't get the result but the goal was sublime:
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 6, 2022HARRY KANE GRABS A GOAL! 💥
Is the comeback on? 👀 pic.twitter.com/ZI2QD5ZK47
Salah and Robertson speak
Player of the Match Mo Salah told Sky: "I think we were lucky in the first half. We managed to score two goals and second half we could have score, we were unlucky and the important thing is we got the three points."
And on the first touch ahead of his goals: "I think it's important, you always try and control. Second half I think I could have done the same but I am always trying to get a good first touch and I managed to do that today."
Andy Robertson added: "We knew we had to take the game. If they had three at the back we know me and Trent would have a lot of space. We got these balls on the ball and we made the magic happen. We had to get off to a good start."
90 + 4 min Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool
The free kick is taken short, it eventually comes in but Liverpool do enough to repel the chance. Moura is appealing for a penalty and it is being checked. Spurs again come but Alisson punches away and Perisic's shot on the rebound goes over the bar. VAR decide it is not a penalty.
90 + 2 min Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool
The ball comes in but it is cleared by Liverpool but Spurs come again, Doherty gets it in but Jones clears. Tottenham are throwing everything at this and Lenglet win a free kick. Before the set piece is taken Oxlade-Chamberlain comes on for Salah. Salah is named Man of the Match as he leaves the pitch.
90 min Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool
Spurs get a free kick as Henderson clatters Davies and Spurs make a change as Lucas Moura comes on for Bissouma. Tottenham take the free kick just inside their half and are building. Perisic puts in a great ball and three Spurs attackers are inches away from equalising, so so close!
86 min Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool
Spurs are coming again and there's a risky move from Alisson. He comes out to save but he and Doherty clash. The goalkeeper is now on the floor with the fans not happy at all, they want to get back to the action. Alisson is back to his feet though he doesn't look comfortable. No foul is given for the collision and Spurs are back on the attack.
84 min Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool
Nunez gets in a great position in the box and he takes a shot, it hits the bar but it seems he would have been offside anyway. Perisic gets a good ball into the box and it eventually comes to Bentancur, whose shot is saved by Alisson.
82 min Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool
A poor ball from Alexander-Arnold gives Spurs the ball again and they move towards goal. Bissouma gets a shot away but it's blocked. There are more jeers as Hojbjerg is fouled on the edge of the box but it isn't given as a free kick. Liverpool are building from deep now to try and bury this one.
76 min Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool
Alisson is booed for taking too long on his kick and the stadium roars into life again as Kane is brought down on the edge of the box by Konate. The challenge comes just outside of the box, no penalty call given yet. It is checked and it's not given, Alisson has the goal kick.
74 min Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool
Kane puts in a great cross to Doherty but he can't quite control it, Spurs have come alive here! Can they get an equaliser? They are in attack again with Perisic popping it into the box but it doesn't find a teammate. Liverpool makes changes here as Jones is on for Firmino and Henderson is on for Elliott.
66 min Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool
A cross comes in for Spurs but Kane heads a ball which would have been better placed for Sessegnon and the England captain misses. Robertson makes a great run and wins a corner for the threatening presence. He takes the corner which is initially cleared. Alexander-Arnold gets it back in but Salah can't control it and it's out for a goal kick.
62 min Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool
Nunez is fouled by Royal and Liverpool have the free kick in their own half, they play it to Alisson who decides to go short. Konate pop a long ball in and it eventually comes to Salah but the striker is offside.
Spus have troubled Liverpool, just take a look at this save from Alisson:
55 min Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool
Salah almost has his hat-trick with Liverpool's first attacking chance in this second half seeing him through on goal. The chance just doesn't have enough on it and Lloris collects. Alisson is almost embarrassed with a high press nearly seeing him wrestled off the ball by Kane.
49 min Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool
Perisic pops the ball in the box and Nunez heads it out for another Spurs corner. Perisic is the taker again and they get it on target through Dier but Alisson reads it well to collect. Dier crosses a beautiful ball in and Perisic takes a shot, it comes so close and smacks the bar!
Half-time Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool
It has been the Salah show so far but a mistake from Dier gifted the Lvierpool striker his second goal:
43 min Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool
Conte is telling his side to calm down, you have to think if Liverpool score again here the game will be put to bed. There's a poor ball from Lloris which is blocked by Firmino but he manages to come away with a goal kick. Sloppy from Spurs at the moment, a shame after that promise after they conceded the first goal.
37 min Tottenham 0-1 Liverpool
Alexander-Arnold gives away a free kick is a great position for Spurs, he pushed Sessegnon to the floor. Perisic takes the set piece but it is cleared and Liverpool look to counter. Nunez comes up with it on the edge of the box, as does Firmino but Spurs eventually clear it.
32 min Tottenham 0-1 Liverpool
Konate fouls Kane and Spurs have the ball back in their own half. The energy seems to have been sucked out of this Tottenham side at the moment, they will want to find an equaliser ahead of half-time. Kane puts in a great ball trying to find Sessegnon but Alisson reads it well to boot it away.
27 min Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool
Liverpool are slowing the game down, they know Tottenham are full of energy. Their patience sees no reward though as Spurs do really well to press and Van Dijk loses possession, he apologises to his teammates. Konate does well to initally win the ball but then he gives away a throw in. Elliott gets Liverpool out of jail though, winning a free kick which gets rifled into the Spurs half - the hosts come away with it.
18 min Tottenham 0-1 Liverpool
Hojbjerg also got a shot away but Alisson saved well. Spurs have been ignited by conceding and the crowd have come to life with them. Sessegnon loses it to Alexander-Arnold to settle Liverpool for now. Robertson wins a free kick in their own half and they'll have to work from here.
16 min Tottenham 0-1 Liverpool
Liverpool patient on the ball as they build from the midfield. Alexander-Arnold gets the ball to Salah but he can't quite control, he then gives away a foul. Spurs building from their own box and they haven't thrown a punch yet. Kane is threaded a good ball and he puts in a good cross, Perisic smacks the post! Game on!
What is happening elsewhere in the league?
There have been some huge results today! Arsenal defeated Chelsea 1-0 to sail back to the top of the league, Aston Villa have downed Manchester United 3-1, Newcastle demolished Southampton 4-1 and Crystal Palace snatched the win over West Ham 2-1.
Players are warming up ready to go:
Jurgen Klopp
"We will take the resilience we showed in the last game into this. The compactness.
"Spurs is a challenge. Their big strength is the counter attack, and it is difficult to stay compact in the counter press. Our centre halves will need to be brave around Harry.
"We must attack, play football and be awake around the set pieces."
Here's Jason Burt from the Tottenham Stadium
"Antonio Conte has doubled down on criticism that he is too defensive at Tottenham Hotspur with his team selection against Liverpool. Son Heung-min may be out after having surgery after suffering a fracture around his left eye and Dejan Kulusevski only fit enough for the bench after his injury lay-off... but still. The only attacker selected is Harry Kane! It will be interesting to see where Ivan Perisic lines up but there appears to be precious little creativity. Not that Conte will care if Tottenham get a positive result. If they don't, the fan reaction will be interesting...."
Teams and selection analysis
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has named Ivan Perisic as well as Harry Kane, which suggests two up front.
Looks likely to be a 3-5-2 formation for the hosts. Emerson Royal and Yves Bissouma are recalled in place of Lucas Moura and Son Heung-min. The South Korean star is out with a fracture around his eye.
Dejan Kulusevski is name in the squad for the first time since September 17th following a hamstring injury.
Liverpool are without James Milner due to concussion protocols and Jurgen Klopp makes three changes after the midweek victory over Napoli.
Andrew Robertson, Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez get themselves a start. Kostas Tsimikas and Curtis Jones drop to the bench.
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Dier, Lenglet, Davies, Emerson, Bentancur, Bissouma, Hojbjerg, Sessegnon, Perisic, Kane. Subs: Doherty, Skipp, Sanchez, Gil Salvatierra, Forster, Kulusevski, Tanganga, Lucas Moura, Sarr.
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Elliott, Thiago, Firmino, Salah, Nunez. Subs: Gomez, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Tsimikas, Ramsay, Carvalho, Bajcetic, Kelleher.
Referee: Andrew Madley (West Yorkshire)
Jurgen Klopp on Liverpool's topsy-turvy form
Liverpool's European form - 15 points from six matches - is at odds with their domestic performances (16 from 12).
Klopp says it is difficult to pinpoint the differences in outcome.
"The problem is, to explain wins is really easy. Everybody is in a great mood and smiling, good shape," he said.
"Explaining when you lose is much more difficult because each word is really important. I don't have five million different words for it.
"If you want to get out of something you first have to get through it, and that's where we are.
"It might take time but we don't say now, 'Tottenham is too early for us to really show up already.' No, it's not.
"It never was before going to Tottenham that I thought, 'Good moment to face Tottenham, let's smash them.'
"It's like a Champions League game in the Premier League, and that's how we will approach it."
The teams
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Dier, Lenglet, Davies, Emerson, Bentancur, Bissouma, Hojbjerg, Sessegnon, Perisic, Kane. Subs: Doherty, Skipp, Sanchez, Gil Salvatierra, Forster, Kulusevski, Tanganga, Lucas Moura, Sarr.
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Elliott, Thiago, Firmino, Salah, Nunez. Subs: Gomez, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Tsimikas, Ramsay, Carvalho, Bajcetic, Kelleher.
Referee: Andrew Madley (West Yorkshire)
Liverpool travel to Spurs: preview
Good afternoon and welcome to one of several blogs on what has already been an exciting Premier League match day. Tottenham saw their North London rivals defeat Chelsea earlier and return to the top of the table; both Antonio Conte's side and this afternoon's opponents are a fair way back. But Spurs, in third, could yet sneak, perhaps, into a Title race. They begin this afternoon on 26 points, that's eight behind Arsenal, and who knows how any team/squad will recover and resume after the World Cup.
As for Liverpool, they need multiple rival teams to Devon Loch it once we come back to Premier League business after Qatar. Jurgen Klopp's side are on 16 points and marooned in mid-table alongside the likes of Fulham and Brentford. They need snookers already, albeit that they do have a game in hand on some others.
Speaking ahead of this fixture, Antonio Conte said that he holds Klopp in high esteem and that the success the German has enjoyed at Anfield should be a blueprint.
He said: "What we know about Liverpool, (they are) one of the best teams in the world. They are having a bit of difficulty this season. I am surprised about this and that some people are trying to criticise Liverpool after what they have done in recent years.
"They have one of the best coaches in the world and fantastic players. At the same time, we have a lot of (injury) problems but we want to play an important game in front of our fans.
"Jurgen's story speaks for him and he has changed Liverpool. I remember very well Liverpool didn't win for a long period and he needed four years to bring Liverpool to be able to win again.
"This shows that it is important for a coach to have time. If people don't know about football, they think that the story of this coach is a winner, it is not so.
"Jurgen shows that through the work, the matches and the transfer market that he improved Liverpool a lot and brought them to the top. For sure I can speak well about Jurgen, Liverpool and the players, they are definitely a good example for us."
Lots of mutual respect then, and we could be in for a good game. We will have the teams at half three, and then kick off is at 4.30pm.
