Tottenham Hotspurs vs Liverpool

FS:2-2

Goals: Kane 13′, Jota 35′, Robertson 69′, Son Heung-min 74′

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

An away day in the capital has not been a source of great returns for the Reds this season, the West Ham match was an example of a game that we struggled to control and a series of goalkeeping mishaps lead to a defeat that was more about our errors than anything else.

Spurs have enjoyed the arrival of Conte who is a clever manager capable of man-management and tactical awareness. The Reds had been depleted and arrived with a Covid affected squad and the absence of key figures of Virgil, Fabinio, and Hendeson. The bench looked light on experience and the starting 11 included Morton fresh from his appearance in the Champions League, this was an altogether different challenge for the young man and although he sought to impress himself he was regularly outmuscled by a determined Spurs midfield all seeking to impress Conte.

An early chance fell to Robinson and the Scotland captain would have been disappointed to see his chance steer past the post with the goal at his mercy. The Reds looked vulnerable to the Spurs counter and so it proved after a few early scares Kane was fed into a run between the lines and from a side-on angle steered the ball beyond Alisson 1-0 Spurs. A setback but this never seemed a game that would be settled on a single goal, although both mane and Salah seemed a little below par the Reds still carried a threat and so an equaliser from Jota was not unexpected and reflected the balance of play in the first half 1-1. Between the Spurs goal and the reds equaliser two game-defining moments; Kane who was clearly fired up connected with Robinson above the ankle off the ground and with his studs showing. It is difficult to see what the combination of on and off-field officials needed to confirm a reckless dangerous challenge and show Kane a red, other than his reputation and the fact that he is England captain. Even the most ardent of Spurs fans conceded their leader was a lucky man. The second instant which resulted in Klopp seeing red and getting a yellow was a blatant push on Jota in the area everyone, except the officials, saw the challenge as a penalty.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first, the Reds losing the ball in key areas and Spurs breaking with intent only to fail in the conversion, the Reds lived a charmed life. But as the half progressed the failure of Spurs to convert seemed to raise doubt in their minds and feed the sense of confidence in the Reds. Firminio replaced Moton and his presence offered a different threat, eventually, a cross to the back post was cleared and returned by Trent to the head of Robinson who on this occasion found the back of the net 1-2. It now seemed a matter of playing the match out and bagging 3 important points to keep in touch with City.

However, the game had a few more twists, firstly a very much out-of-character Robertson lashed out at Royal, this time the on and off-field official sought a review using the pitch-side screen. The challenges merited a red card but when it was shown it only revived the memory of the first half Kane challenge. Officials seek understanding and demand support but when they fail to deliver consistency then they must be open to criticism. It is difficult to support Klopp’s challenge of the official at the end of the match, he is an example to many players, coaches, and managers and he must accept he carries greater responsibility and cannot be seen to berate official in the manner he did at the end of the game. Klopp has come in for some negative views with what people see as excessive moaning across a range of issues. I don’t question Klopp but his ability as a manager and a person is much greater than some of the comments he has made recently and his new year resolution should consider some restraint and acceptance that this is football and things go for you sometimes and against you on other occasions.

It was one such sad twist that lead to a late Spurs equaliser, Son was in but Alison was clearly favourite to clear from the edge of the area, inexplicably the big Brazilian missed the ball and this left the Korean with a tap in 2-2. On balance, it was difficult to judge two points dropped on a good draw. A trip to Spurs is never an easy game so perhaps the draw is acceptable, even from a winning position.

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