· 2 min readIn this Liverpool vs Tottenham match, I analyse the key tactical moments, individual performances and turning points of the game.
Liverpool and Tottenham are far from their best, but they come into this game in different moments. Liverpool are improving, although they remain inconsistent and have the Wirtz problem weighing on them. Tottenham had gone four Premier League games without a win and, worse, without scoring. Almost £500 million invested and the team looked incapable of doing the basics.
In the Carabao Cup, whoever lost would be eliminated, so it was an important opportunity.
Both teams rotated, although Tottenham used more regular starters. Wirtz was not even on the bench. The game started evenly, but Mamardashvili was the first to make an impact. Udogie put in a low cross, Bergvall shot first-time and the Georgian made a great save.
Liverpool responded through Koumas, who shot after a beautiful pass from Rio Ngumoha, but Dubravka saved as well. Until the first goal arrived.
In the 21st minute, Gakpo received a long ball on the left, controlled it with his chest and carried it inside. He then found Rio, who laid it off to Mac Allister on the edge of the box. The Argentine shot into the roof of the net. Unstoppable. 1-0.
Tottenham, however, continued to create more danger. In the 32nd minute, they had a good transition, with Udogie leaving Bergvall in a good position. The Swede crossed and Kudus appeared behind Kerkez. He was in an excellent position, but shot over. A huge miss and a mistake from Kerkez.
At half-time, Tottenham had 53% possession and 0.90 expected goals compared to Liverpool’s 0.70. The result favoured Liverpool, but the game did not show such a big difference.
In the second half, Liverpool were more efficient. Rio carried the ball down the right, Kerkez combined with Mac Allister and the Argentine found Gakpo inside the box. The Dutchman cut inside and scored a great goal. 2-0.
Tottenham continued to push, especially through Marmoush, one of their best attacking weapons. But there was a huge problem: the team created chances and simply could not score.
Until, in the 69th minute, they finally did. From a corner into the six-yard box, a Tottenham player made it difficult for Mamardashvili to move and Gallagher, despite being marked by Frimpong, headed towards goal. 2-1. Finally, Tottenham scored after a run of games without being able to do so.
From there, De Zerbi’s team grew and were better for a while. Liverpool had just 0.10 expected goals in the second half and were creating little. After the goal, they managed to level the game out again.
Tottenham continued to look for the equaliser, but I was left with a question about De Zerbi: Solanke only came on in the 85th minute. As the centre-forward, he could have come on much earlier. That does not mean he would have scored, but he was an obvious option.
Mamardashvili made a huge save from Marmoush and kept Liverpool ahead. In the 90th minute, Szoboszlai received a long ball, controlled it with his chest well away from goal and struck it with absurd power. The ball went in at an incredible angle. 3-1 and a great goal to finish.
Post-match
Liverpool won, but it was not as comfortable a performance as the result suggests. Tottenham had moments to score and continue to have attacking problems. For a team that have spent so much, being unable to produce goals is worrying.
