Liverpool end barren run, Spurs lose Kane to injury
LONDON: Liverpool ended a fivegame winless run in the Premier League to move back into the top four with a 3-1 win at Tottenham on Thursday as Spurs also lost Harry Kane to an ankle injury.
The English champions had not even scored in their last four league games, but Jurgen Klopp said he recognised his side again as their front three sparked back into life after Roberto Firmino ended a 492-minute goalless drought in first-half stoppage time.
Kane had soldiered on after twice receiving treatment on ankle knocks in the first-half and was eventually replaced at the break with Jose Mourinho predicting the England captain will be absent for at least a few weeks.
“Two injuries in both ankles, the second one worst than the first one,” said Mourinho. “A few weeks, I don’t know for sure. “There are some players you can’t replace. When it happens it happens, but I believe we have to fight against it, we cannot do anything else.”
Liverpool’s worst run in the league since 2017 had seen them slip from the top of the table to fifth before kick-off with Klopp admitting his first priority is now to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
But the German was delighted with the response from the Reds as they clicked back into gear, particularly after going in front.
“What I saw today it’s not about shape or form it’s about who we are. That was us, second half especially it was us,” said Klopp.
“Tonight we knocked a wall down -- that’s good. It is easier to lose (confidence) that’s how it is, but it is possible to get it back as well. It is not a light you can switch on and off. You have to show it in the right moment.”