Neil Atkinson’s post-match review after Liverpool 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1 in the Premier League at Anfield, as human error creeps in…
WELL. It isn’t great, is it?
Saturday night all primed for action, ready to dance on many dancefloors and then Liverpool drop points. They drop points and they shatter on the floor. Here I am, all dressed up with nowhere to go.
But I’ll go anyway. You should come. Because while Liverpool weren’t great when they got 23 yards from goal, while Liverpool don’t get what we all needed, while it isn’t great, they are actually quite good. I’ve had nights ruined by many a Liverpool side; I’ve let them ruin my night and I’ve ruined other people’s from there.
Not these boys and not tonight and not off a performance like that. Not this season. Not this May. No nights in May should ever be ruined because the very potential of it means there has been excellence.
However, there will be things to take. What is the difference between:
a) A clipped ball into the box;
b) A pass into the area;
c) A cross flung in?
It’s a fine line on all three, but Liverpool began to do too many which would err into the category of C. That third category was something Spurs wanted to see from Liverpool. They end the game with four centre backs on the pitch and three centre mids. They want the ball lashed in. Don’t give them what they want.
Tottenham were good at what they wanted to do. There is a chat about how far that can take a side but then there is also a chat about the gulf between Liverpool, Manchester City and almost everyone else playing the game. It isn’t a chat had often enough really and that completely validates Tottenham’s approach. You know what else validates Tottenham’s approach? They’ve played Liverpool and City four times and not lost once. Consider yourselves validated.
The next problem with all of that though, for Liverpool, is that Tottenham’s approach is one taken to some extent by sides such as Watford but Tottenham have far better players. Far, far better. Son Heung-Min is a delight of a footballer. He is so bright and capable, sharp as a tack. Harry Kane is a genuine 9.5 and enjoys playing as much as scoring these days. This gives them an edge which means they can have 10 yards between a back five and a midfield four and 10 more yards again to the 9.5, but have everyone know they carry threat at all stages.
Liverpool have to cater for it. They have to allow for the possibility of getting hurt while looking to prosper and this means that Liverpool do not approach it as they would a Watford and nor should they.
What Liverpool have is a Luis Diaz. He is electrifying at the moment. He gets the deflected goal but his performance is just relentless. Relentless in quality, energy, speed and desire. He is relentlessly making up for lost time, relentlessly relishing every moment and every challenge. He is remarkable.
Mo Salah has hard lines. He is constantly in the game and I would actually like him in the game a tiny bit more. Liverpool should find him at every opportunity but instead they starting clipping/crossing. Both Ben Davies and Ryan Sessegnon end up booked trying to deal with Salah.
I don’t think it is Trent Alexander-Arnold or Andy Robertson’s night but that is allowed. I don’t think Diogo Jota makes much of an impact when he comes on. I think Naby Keita makes sense but I also think our manager may have thought longer would be added on.
But it wasn’t and Liverpool couldn’t make enough of the time that was. This is football. What Liverpool have done since Stamford Bridge is exceptional, and today, for the first time in one of these run-ins there is some human error.
There may be more. Manchester City will be boosted by today but god knows they need a boost. They look shattered. We don’t but perhaps today we lacked a little mental sharpness. They can drop points. Human error has been introduced. They may not and we have two cup finals to enjoy instead. But they have the boost and we need to all swallow that.
Consider it swallowed, frankly. Easy. Done. Nailed.
It isn’t great. Fine. Win all the other games and I’ll tell you about greatness. I’ll never shut up about it. Win all the other games, Liverpool. That will be sufficiently great.
It could still be as great as it gets.
Download The Anfield Wrap’s free app for Liverpool FC podcasts, video and writing all in one place…
“It’s disappointing. Spurs came and did exactly what they wanted to do. I thought it was a mistake not rotating more. I would’ve brought in more fresh legs.”
🎙 Post Match Pod
1️⃣ Download our app
2️⃣ Enjoy FREE tokens
3️⃣ Access our post match content👉 https://t.co/yTcwWTZN7t pic.twitter.com/6ZFy4Q7G78
— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) May 7, 2022
Hard to disagree. Maybe it a a function of the result but thought we looked – for the first time in ages – a bit tired. Understandably so, if so, let’s face it. And now we have to beat villa, regardless. So let’s do that. I kind of wanted a few more shots from outside the area, even though I know percentage-wise it’s rarely a good idea, but they were so dug in it might have given them something more to think about. But what do I know? Sweet FA. Just that these lads are ace, we’re in this all the way, and bring on the cups. This team deserve to win the lot. I believe in miracles, since you came along…
The players are tired, mentally and physically, how can they not be?…The effort is there, they are up for the battle; but when you’re exhausted it is the creative stuff that goes first, the invention, the imagination. It wasn’t there tonight. All the other “hard work” attributes were clear to see….otherwise it might well have been a defeat.
Sort of feels like a defeat, but that point might be gold dust
I love how Neil never mentioned the q word once.
It’s a long hard slog at the top, when you’re there to be shot. It drains you. Mentally and physically. City’s collapse at Madrid speaks volumes. Liverpool have been brilliant so far. We can cut them slack to the moon and back. They deserve it and more besides. It feels like a defeat but I’m over it. They are too. They will use it as fuel. We should too. Chelsea and Madrid. Beware the refueled Reds
The biggest tell that this great side is physically/mentally tired are those hopeful floated balls /crosses to midgets up against giants…..thats when we look done.Its the bat sign or ‘oh shit sign’
Astonished Origi is used ahead on Diogo but spart from that,they’re unbelievable.Gave everything they could and more
As they always do!
What a side
Div and Minamino should of come on for the final quarter .