Spurs rallied against the runaway leaders Liverpool, but ultimately it was too little too late in North London as Jose Mourinho’s side could not quite snatch an equaliser at the death.
The Reds were impressive, offering a performance full of verve, swarming over Spurs’ startled players in possession with organisation and efficiency.
Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso again made a big impact off the bench for Spurs, but wasted a glorious chance to earn a point against LiverpoolCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Tottenham wideman Erik Lamela deserves to start after influential cameoroles against Middlesbrough and now LiverpoolCredit: Getty Images – Getty
For the second week in a row, Mourinho turned to Giovani Lo Celso and Erik Lamela when his side were in dire need of a goal.
And again his side improved markedly when he did.
At Championship side Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, Tottenham were toiling towards an embarrassing 1-0 defeat before the Argentine duo entered the fray.
When they did, they added energy, dynamism and urgency to what had been a tepid Spurs performance.
Mourinho unsurprisingly decided to try to stifle Liverpool this evening.
ENERGY AND DRIVE
But with his side trailing with 20 minutes to go, he felt he had to sacrifice a member of his back five and go for the jugular.
And it would have worked too, if Lo Celso had managed to bury Serge Aurier’s sumptuous cross towards the end.
Lamela and Lo Celso’s impacts aren’t just specifically just about what they do with the ball, however, but about what their energy and drive does to the way the team functions overall.
Too often this season when Spurs have turned to Christian Eriksen, the Dane just hasn’t tried like he used to.
Christian Eriksen failed to get to grips with Liverpool scorer Roberto Firmino and Co, before going off as a double substitution boosted SpursCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It could just be that subconsciously he has checked out of Spurs after last year’s Champions League final, and struggles to get himself going as his contract dwindles down.
The time has now come to ditch Eriksen, and look towards the future.
Setting up so cautiously against the league leaders is understandable, but not every side poses the sort of threat that Liverpool do.
Moving forward, Mourinho must find a way to fit his dynamic Argie duo into his side, to enable Spurs to start playing effective, front-foot, attacking football.
If he does so, this season may just be salvaged.
If not, Spurs could find themselves drifting towards mid-table.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
