Tottenham 4-1 Liverpool Premier League 2017-18: match report, goals, action

Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 Liverpool: match report

Harry Kane found himself in behind Liverpool's defense after two minutes and slotted home to put Spurs ahead at Wembley as Mauricio Pochettino's side made light work of Jurgen Klopp's side.

The defensive lapse from Dejan Lovren was a flavour of what was to come as Heung-Min Son took advantage of a lovely Harry Kane cross to make it 2-0 after 12 minutes. A long ball from Lloris on the counter saw Lovren jump in the air as Kane knew better and peeled off him to get in behind on the right hand side yet again. The in form striker in European footballer knew the defender has misjudged it and crossed to an incoming Son as Mignolet was left helpless and Liverpool the same.

Mohamed Salah, Liveprool's best player, gave the reds a glimmer of hope as he finished a lovely ball from Jordan Henderson but it seemed more of a blip than anything more sustainable from Klopp's side. Every time Spurs attacked, it looked like they were one Lovren misstep away from scoring and the German manager saved his player's blushes and possibly ruined his confidence with one drag of his curly finger. He replaced Lovren on 30 minutes but the damage was done.

Just as Liverpool seemed to be settling in with their new look backline that included Joe Gomez, who was dragged in from right-back, and with half-time in sight, Eriksen crossed from a free and Dele Alli drove a volley home to make it 3-1 and ostensibly put the game out of reach.

That was confirmed on 56 minutes when a corner arrived in that Simon Mignolet flapped at. It fell to Harry Kane, who got his second and Spurs' fourth on the night. Liverpool tried to get a consolation but were so worried about Spurs' counter, and rightly so, that they never threw the kitchen sink at it. 

The game would end 4-1 with Spurs catching up with Manchester United on points in second and Liverpool remaining in 9th on just 13 points after nine games.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool live online: match preview

Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat at Huddersfield has presented a regal opportunity for both Tottenham and Liverpool to make some headway in the top positions of the Premier League table. For Spurs, a win would put them level on points with United while a similar result for the visitors would allow Klopp’s team to break into the top four. Both will have had time to recover from last week’s European escapades – Spurs were in radiant form as they took Real Madrid to task at the Bernabéu; Liverpool meanwhile, gave their self-esteem a massive boost by smashing seven past Maribor - a result which put them top of their qualifying group and also set a new Champions League goal scoring record, one which they now hold home and away.

In terms of league form, Tottenham are looking confident and consistent – at least when they’ve been on the road... Away from home Spurs have a flawless record. It’s been at home where they’ve been dropping points. Since the narrow, opening day defeat to Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino’s team remain unbeaten, having been held just twice – to Burnley and Swansea, both times at their temporary, Wembley home.

Liverpool’s campaign has been more erratic but they go into this game looking like they might finally have settled into their groove. Klopp’s team have been heavily criticized for a leaky defence but in their last two outings since the international break, against United and Maribor, they have kept a clean sheet – something they badly needed to do. Another fault which the Reds have been guilty of this season has been their inability to capitalize on the chances they create so freely. The 0-7 drubbing against Maribor might have heralded the end of that flaw to their game but we’ll see at Wembley whether Klopp’s Liverpool really have started to click and put those issues behind them. As for playing at the imposing Wembley stadium, Klopp said ahead of the game that he has no anxiety about returning to the north London venue where his Liverpool side lost the 2016 EFL Cup final on penalties to Manchester City: “We don’t feel bad when we see Wembley, it’s a good place and a wonderful stadium. We’re only thinking about Tottenham, not where we play”.

Tottenham

Dele Alli, who missed the Real Madrid match through suspension is now available again. Otherwise, there are no major developments on the injury front. Victor Wanyama is still not over his knee injury; Erik Lamela is back training but is not match-fit while Danny Rose, who came on as a late sub against Madrid, will be rested as Pochettino confirmed in Friday’s press conference: “He needs to build up his fitness but we’re happy because he’s doing well". Left-back Ben Davies stayed at home for the Madrid game as he wasn’t feeling too well but he’s ready to make his return.

Man to watch: Hugo Lloris. While Harry Kane and Dele Alli have been amazing to watch and dominating the headlines, it would be hugely unfair to overlook the toils of Spurs defence and in particular, goalkeeper Lloris. The Frenchman is in the form of his life and was key in helping the team snatch a point at the Bernabéu midweek. That Herculean performance will have made him feel unbeatable – and rightly so.

Liverpool

Liverpool’s long-term injured players Sadio Mané and Nathaniel Clyne remain in the sick bay. Adam Lallana has returned to the training ground but won’t feature today. Captain Jordan Henderson, who was rested against Maribor, could return to the starting XI.

Man to watch: Roberto Firmino. Razor sharp to react in and around the box, a hard worker who has tended to fall into the shadow of his fellow forwards Mané, Salah and Coutinho this term but Bobby Firmino is showing he’s just as important to the team. Like Salah, he was on target twice in the 0-7 drubbing of Maribor and watching those strikes cross the line will have done wonders for his confidence as his success rate in front of goal had been a source of frustration for him.

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool enhanced betting odds:

Spurs are the odds-on favourites to take all three points with Liverpool at 5/2 to clinch what would be their fourth victory of the season. However, perhaps the exertion of last week’s away trips in Europe might have an adverse effect on both teams’ performances – a 1-1 draw is at 6/1 and a goalless draw is at 14/1. Dele Alli is at 5/1 to score the opening goal and Liverpool's trusty penalty-taker James Milner is at 14/1 to strike the last goal of the game.

Bet on Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool in the Premier League now