When a team hits its lowest point of the season a few days earlier, as Tottenham Hotspur did on Thursday night, they naturally move on to functionality afterwards.
Surely things can get better from here?
Well, not quite. Despite the bright sun of the festive weekend, the men of Ange Postecoclou wanted to remain under the dark cloud that had descended upon them in recent weeks. A 4-2 defeat would possibly look like an under-contested competition, but a 4-2 0-deficit defeat before the hour mark, and only one shot recorded in the first half, means things got worse before they got better.
GO FURTHER
The Briefing: Liverpool four Tottenham 2 – Elliott and Salah Reds, more questions for Spurs
Just a few weeks ago, this match was presented as a confrontation between two groups with many reasons to fight. A name challenge at Liverpool is still on the table, while Spurs had a realistic chance of beating Aston Villa for a Champions League spot.
In reality, Liverpool hosted Spurs in the derby out of form, with two teams whose seasons had already ended at the beginning of May. One side got rid of this label late Sunday afternoon, the other is still burdened with it.
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Set-pieces were the narrative to follow before the game, but Postecoglou was right when he said there were more vital points up for grabs for Spurs right now.
These teams like to press from the front, with only Manchester City and Arsenal regaining more ownership in the final third on average than Spurs and Liverpool. It’s actually something the Postecoglou team wants to be aware of when playing their preseason from the front. but Spurs have to fall into Liverpool’s trap too many times.
In the first half alone, Liverpool gained ownership nine times in the final third, more than in any other first minute of their Premier League matches this season. Sometimes they did it on Tottenham’s penalty pitch, not to mention their own third. The straw that broke the camel’s back came in the 82nd minute, when Liverpool’s pressure forced Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to play the ball for a throw-in and return ownership to the home side.
“I think we pinched him a couple of times as well, but the difference is that they punished us and we didn’t punish them,” Postecoglou said after the game. “When you have two groups that look alike, then those things are going to happen. In those moments, it’s a question of whether you’re taking advantage of it.
“I’d rather go down that road and try to fix those gaps rather than try to replace our approach. “
This is a testament to Postecgolou’s dogmatic technique of betting on possession-dominated football. But against one of the Premier League’s most urgent and transitional teams?There is an argument that such a technique is more flawed than usual.
In fact, it’s been a trend all season. No team has given up more ownership in their defensive third than the Spurs in 2023-24. As a result, they gave up goals seven times.
The frustration of the visual image of the first half as the players made their way through the tunnel, with a heated exchange between Cristian Romero and Emerson Royal caught on camera via Sky Sports.
In truth, it was a tricky day for Royal as they aimed through Liverpool, who continually channelled their attack down Tottenham’s left flank.
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While the right-footed Brazilian acted properly when he turned it back from left-back, he looked lost with the ball, and it’s arguable that all four of Liverpool’s goals came from poor play on their left side of the pitch.
“We’re betting on his position and our two left-backs are out, so we forced him out,” Postecoglou said. “It’s not wonderful for him and he was clearly opposed to a pretty smart player like Mo Salah. However, that’s something we’ll have to deal with (for the rest of the season). “
The numbers underscore just how specific Royal’s flank was. Throughout the game, 41 per cent of Liverpool’s attacking touches came in the right third, and it’s no surprise to see the 25-year-old Brazilian holding his own after 61 minutes.
Postecoglou seemed keen to hold on to the positives of the broader functionality and highlight his team’s reaction after the hour. That’s true to a certain extent. The arrival of Richarlison and James Maddison brought an attacking risk that failed desperately for 60 minutes.
However, the context was that at that point the score was 4-0. The match was practically over after an hour, meaning the remaining 30 minutes looked like a pre-season friendly, full of mistakes and recklessness on both sides.
GO FURTHER
‘We want change’ – Ange Postecoglou needs Tottenham, not his philosophy
The truth is that Spurs have lost their last four Premier League games, their longest losing streak since November 2004 (a run of six). The truth is that Spurs have conceded thirteen goals in their last four games. The home game of the season will be pitted against a name-hunting Manchester City, who can also easily rack up a scoreline that would inflict similar pain to what Spurs won against Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle. Spurs fans probably wouldn’t be too worried, considering what that would mean for the Premier League title race. )
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There are lessons to be learned from watching the manager in the dugout at Anfield. Liverpool’s good luck wasn’t instant when Jurgen Klopp arrived, and neither was it for Postecoglou. As attention begins to turn to the upcoming season, that will continue to matter. ed unless the Spurs show they can keep improving.
(Top photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images)