Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham: Mane helps Liverpool to a deserved win over Spurs

Premier League
Saturday 11 February 2017 - 5:30 pm
Anfield
Liverpool2
0Tottenham
Show Match Events
⚽️ Mane16'
⚽️ Mane19'
28' Son
Henderson53'
Matip56'
67' Kane
Milner68'
68'↔️ Eriksen off, Winks on
71' Winks
77'↔️ Dembélé off, Sissoko on
Coutinho off, Can on ↔️77'
78' Dier
82'↔️ Son off, Janssen on
Leiva off, Klavan on ↔️82'
83' Alderweireld
Mane off, Alexander-Arnold on ↔️92'
Possession %
5050
Total Shots
177
Shots on Target
92
Shots Blocked
41
Offside
21
Hide Match Events

Liverpool looked more like their old selves as they scored two quick first half goals against second placed Spurs - to maintain the reds excellent record against the other top sides in the division.

Prior to kick off the reds slipped down to 6th after Man Utd beat Watford but the reds dealt with this pressure comfortably and could have had more goals in a dominant first half.

With injury to Lovren, and Klavan only just recovered from an illness - Lucas Leiva partnered Joel Matip in defence.

Simon Mignolet retained his place in goal despite some errors in the previous games.  In midfield, Georginio Wijnaldum returned to the starting line-up - replacing the much-maligned Emre Can.

Liverpool started at a high tempo and Coutinho in the 3rd minute fed a ball through the Spurs defence in a sign that the reds were back in the mood.

And as the half developed the reds looked dominant.  Spurs had conceded just 16 goals in their 24 goals prior to today but the reds were pulling their centre-backs apart with ease.

In the 16th minute reds won the ball in midfield and Wijnaldum fed a through ball up to Sadio Mane.  He surged past the remainder of the Spurs defence and fired past Hugo Lloris to  score the opening goal.

Just three minutes later he added the second.  Mane took the ball off Eric Dier - fed it to his teammates - and after Lallana and Firmino both saw their shots stopped - Mane had the third and decisive shot of the group. 2-0.

Mane could have had a couple more in the half - driving the ball into the side netting after another powerful run at the half hour mark.  Coutinho could have grabbed a goal but his shot was fired too close to Lloris.

The second half was a quieter affair - Harry Kane hitting the post - but the reds held resolute and saw out the game in some comfort.  Spurs collected a number of yellow cards in the second half - frustration no doubt that the slim chance they had of catching Chelsea is now almost certainly over.

Liverpool have a fine record over the other top six sides, but it is the results against teams they are expected to beat that have meant the reds are facing a fight for the top four.

But tonight Liverpool sit 1 point away from 2nd place, which Spurs still maintain.  Man City can overtake both clubs when they face Bournemouth on Monday night.

The recent chatter was that Liverpool had been 'found out' or that they had 'run out of steam'.  On the basis of today's game neither looks true - and Klopp and the players will now enjoy a 16 day break before the resumption of the final push for the Premier League positions.

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