:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47455158/GettyImages-493040930.0.jpg)
Tottenham 0
Liverpool 0
- Pre-match thoughts: According to Mauricio Pochettino, he's under the same amount of pressure as new Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, which doesn't make sense unless he's not talking about skinny jeans. Also Daniel Sturridge is injured, Jerome Sinclair, Joao Carlos Teixeira, Pedro Chirivella, and Conor Randall make the bench. But Jürgen said everything was cool for Liverpool during his pre-match interview, so everything is cool.
- The little bits of Klopp are already apparent in the first ten minutes. Lallana pressing, no one holding on to the ball, and just a general, switched on feel is obvious teamwide. Then Divock Origi* almost opened the scoring at the back post with one off the crossbar that only barely stayed the frontside of the goaline. (*Note: Had written Can initially. It was early.)
- Milner in the wars early, Mignolet with an agricultural solution to a one v one with Eriksen, and Divock Origi isn't half bad at leading the line.
- Around the 25' mark, Spurs' counterpunches start landing, and gaps start appearing in Liverpool's defense. Mignolet and Sakho both with some solid individual work. Plus Klopp's gesticulations are starting to work their way into proceedings. Entertaining match!
- Halftime: The Klopp effect is real and Liverpool are visibly energized, but Spurs are also a decent team that have grown into the game. Perhaps even to the point where they had the better of the first half. All left to play for, though, and all a joy to watch. Our halftime talk consists of a New Mexican green chile stew with actual Hatch green chiles!
- Hard not to notice Spurs' hair game with Eriksen, Toby, and Kane all making strong statements to varying levels of success--HOLYSMOKES that inswinger from Eriksen could have gone anywhere. Commentator is pronouncing Alderweireld "Elder world". Going to need a verdict from our Flemish contingent.
- Perhaps its a matter of wanting to see things we've been told to expect, but Liverpool's players truly seem more adept at quickly stepping up for their tackles. Doesn't guarantee they come off, but the decision to make the play is already a much quicker process across the board.
- 75' and the Reds are starting to cry out for a change. Coutinho or Origi perhaps most deserving of being sacrificed, but who to bring on? Joe Allen and his new mop top, that's who. For Adam Lallana, who looks like he'll take to Klopp's system just fine, thanks.
- Thank goodness for Harry Kane's finishing prowess, and we'll take the cleansheet away point.
