Relentless Liverpool keep their run going
REDS TURN THE SCREW AFTER EARLY KANE STRIKE
For all their attacking flair, Liverpool showed again on Sunday they have the ability to dig deep and grind out vital victories when things do not go to plan as they recovered from an early setback to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1.
With their Premier League lead having been cut to three points on Saturday by Manchester City, there were a few worried looks on the Kop when Tottenham’s Harry Kane opened the scoring inside a minute at Anfield.
But Liverpool never panicked and gradually turned the screw.
Second-half goals by captain Jordan Henderson and Mohamed Salah from the penalty spot gave Liverpool the win, continuing their stunning start and fuelling belief this could finally be the season they end their long wait for a first English title since 1990.
Manager Juergen Klopp praised his side’s response to going behind so early against a team that, while not winning, have caused them problems at Anfield in recent seasons.
“I told the boys at half-time, the only problem in this game so far is the result – apart from that, it’s good,” Klopp said.
“In a difficult game, being 1- 0 down against Tottenham with the strength they have in counter-attack is really tough, so the boys deserve a lot of credit for that today.”
It was the second week running Liverpool had trailed. Last week they salvaged a 1-1 draw at Manchester United and it is that resilience that has become a hallmark of Klopp’s side.
In the last 10 home Premier League games in which they have conceded the first goal, Liverpool have won seven and drawn three.
Klopp played down injury worries over Salah, who was substituted late on, and Virgil van Dijk who took a knock.
“Virgil had a dead leg and Mo, it’s the ankle,” he said.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has seen his side fall into the bottom half of the table and his record against Liverpool since he took over in 2014 is one win in 16.
“I think we competed today, but maybe scoring so early we were just trying to defend,” Pochettino, whose side are now 16 points behind Liverpool after 10 games, said.
“This season we deserve more points. We must stay strong and keep pushing.” –