Liverpool Outshine Tottenham in 2-1 Win

By Danny Ward

Liverpool maintained their impressive start to the 2018/19 Premier League with a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspurs at the Wembley Stadium Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp’s side went into the game with a 100 percent record, and expectations they were in for a real test did not materialise as they dominated the hosts at their own backyard from start to finish.

Wijnaldum headed Liverpool in front in the 39th minute, and Firmino capitalised on a goalkeeping error of Michel Vorm to extend the lead for the visitors in the 54th minute before Eric Lamela fetched a consolation for the hosts with a spectacular strike two minutes into injury time.

Tottenham looked shaky from the start, and Liverpool took full advantage and registered two clear chances within the opening 3 minutes with Mohamed Salah firing wide from close range and Firmino, having a goal disallowed for offside after Sadio Mane advanced towards his goalbound curler from an offside position.

Trent Alexander-Arnold hit a close-range free-kick into Michel Vorm’s hands in the 4th minute, before Salah missed another chance by shooting into Vorm’s hands from a one-on-one situation after intercepting Eric Dier’s stray pass.

The hosts registered their first chance in the 27th minute with a close-range free kick from Eriksen which went straight into Aisson Becker’s hands.

Wijnaldum broke the deadlock in the 39th minute. James Milner’s corner was headed out by Eric Dier, and Wijnaldum headed it back into the post.  Vorm palmed it back into play, but referee Michael Oliver rightfully gave a goal having judged that the ball crossed the goal line.

Robertson brought the second half to life by skewing a shot across the face of Vorm’s goal, and Moussa Dembele gifted the ball to Salah but a through pass to Sadio Mane saw the Senegalese hit straight into the Tottenham goalkeeper’s hands in the 49th minute.

Lucas Moura came close to equalizing for the home side, but struck the post in the 50th minute, four minutes before Roberto Firmino doubled up the lead for the visitors.

The Tottenham defence failed to clear James Milner’s corner as Vorm, Dier and Kieran Trippier missed the ball with every attempt they made, and gifted Firmino the chance to hit home from close range.

Naby Keita forced a save from Vorm on the hour mark, and Mousa Dembele was substituted for Eric Lamela a minute later as Mauricio Pochetinno looked for redemption.

Heung-Min Son replaced Harry Winks in the 73rd minute, and Jurgen Klopp responded by bringing on Jordan Henderson for Firmono in the 74th minute.

A double substitution followed with Klopp replacing Naby Keita with Daniel Sturridge, and Pochettino bringing on injury returnee Victor Wanyama for Eric Dier in the 85th minute.

Klopp threw in his last dice by taking off Trent Alexander-Arnold for Joel Matip.

Danny Rose came close to grabbing the deficit in the 90th minute but saw his shot cleared to a corner kick which was wasted.

Tottenham reduced the deficit three minutes into injury time when an unmarked Eric Lamela controlled a cross on his chest before hitting it into the far post with his left foot.

Son controlled the ball in the penalty box towards the end of the game, and Sadio Mane charged on him and looked to have cut him from behind, but Michael Oliver denied the penalty appeal.