EUROPEAN CUP FINAL: Redux at Anfield, and hopefully it will be a better spectacle than the weary arm-wrestle that befouled Madrid in June.
Both sides have picked up where they left off from the end of last season: Liverpool added another eight games to the nine-match winning sequence from the end of last season until they were held at Old Trafford last weekend.
Spurs, meanwhile, have maintained their Premier League slide: they’ve won just thrice all season, adding further merit to the argument their European run masked the staleness general among the squad.
A 5-0 battering of Red Star Belgrade in midweek does offer them a confidence boost ahead of a trip to Anfield, mind, a ground at which they haven’t won since May 2011.
Liverpool were poor last weekend and mixed a sublime attack with an alarmingly open defence against Genk in midweek, but today they bid to maintain a superb home record: they’ve won every league game they’ve played at Anfield since January, and haven’t lost a league game here since a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in April 2017.
Follow our live coverage of the game here and get in touch – email gavincooney@the42.ie, tweet @gcooney93 or drop a comment below the line.
Kick-off at Anfield is at 4.30pm; team news is imminent.
Team news
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp reverts to the tried-and-trusted for this game, which means that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are benched to allow for the returns of Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum.
Mo Salah is back having missed the game at Old Trafford, while Trent Alexander-Arnold has shaken off his midweek illness to play at right-back. Joel Matip is out, so Dejan Lovren partners Virgil van Dijk.
Lovren is the only member of Liverpool’s XI who didn’t start the Champions League final.
⭐️ #LIVTOT TEAM NEWS ⭐️
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 27, 2019
How we line-up against @SpursOfficial 👊🔴
Tottenham
Two of those who want out of Spurs – Alderweireld and Eriksen – return having missed the midweek balm of Red Star Belgrade. Danny Rose returns at left-back, Harry Winks replaces N’Dombele while Erik Lamela drops out for Eriksen.
Gazzaniga, Aurier and Sanchez didn’t start June’s final in Madrid.
#THFC: Gazzaniga, Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Rose, Winks, Sissoko, Eriksen, Dele, Son, Kane (C)@WilliamHill latest (18+) https://t.co/HIQS5iz20r #THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/8apP8sjpGy
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 27, 2019
Elsewhere in the Premier League today, Newcastle and Wolves played out a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park, with Ciaran Clark and Matt Doherty both playing as part of a back three for their sides.
There are two other 4.30pm kick-offs along with this one, both delayed owing to sides’ Europa League involvements.
Arsenal host Crystal Palace at the Emirates, while Norwich host Manchester United.
We’ll keep you up to date on those games, too.
Harry Kane was in somewhat ebullient form ahead of this game, when asked about Virgil van Dijk.
“Van Dijk is a great defender, but he’s not invincible and Liverpool are not invincible.
“We just have to concentrate on ourselves. Any team can be beaten on any day and we just have to try to make sure we do that at Anfield.”
Kane will take a bit of confidence from a past meeting with van Dijk’s partner Lovren today, whom he cut to ribbons in a 4-1 Wembley win for Spurs two years ago.
Jurgen Klopp isn’t taking this game lightly, ranking Spurs as among the top 10 teams in the world in his pre-game chat with Sky.
Giving City’s breakneck pace, every game is vital for Liverpool this season. A win here can take them six clear at the top, with City due at Anfield in a fortnight.
Spurs are 10th, fully 13 points from the leaders and eight from fourth-placed Chelsea.
“Attack, attack, attack” was the message from Spurs’ assistant Jesus Perez to the Spurs squad in a huddle at the end of their warm-up.
Pochettino now explaining away his changes from midweek to Sky, and cites the need to rotate in a busy season.
He says that a midfield diamond is “one of the options” for Spurs’ shape. It seems that they haven’t been inspired by the back three that worked pretty well for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer against Liverpool last weekend.
The teams are in the tunnel, and ready to emerge to Anfield’s wall of roiling noise.
Can Spurs make it fall quiet?
You’ll Never Walk Alone ringing around Anfield now, as per pre-game tradition.
Almost ready to go in what is usually one of the best games of the season. Let’s see how things measure up today…
Kick-off! We’re underway!
GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Spurs (Kane 1′)
Blimey! What a start for Spurs! Son cuts in from the left, his shot hits Lovren and then the crossbar with Alisson rooted. The ball breaks perfectly for Kane in the six-yard box, who nods it in.
Anfield is stunned!
3′ Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
Klopp has called his side “mentality monsters” in the past, so let’s see what they have in them here. Time is, at least, on their side.
7′ – Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
With Anfield still reeling from that early opener, Spurs fans chant, ‘Where’s you famous atmosphere?’ to which they are met by a ‘Where’s your European Cup?’
Jordan Henderson hasn’t exactly done himself favours among the angrier element of Liverpool’s online support – he has lost the ball frequently in the opening seven minutes, and twice in the lead-up to that opening goal.
9′ – Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
This game has a definitive shape now – Spurs are not pressing high at all, but sitting in a 4-5-1 and inviting Liverpool to try and break them down.
11′ – Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
Still no route through the Spurs team for Liverpool. They have been passing the ball form side to side but Spurs ain’t fraying yet. Frustrated, Fabinho tried his luck from distance but it was well-blocked by Winks.
Aurier later dawdles over a throw and Anfield gets angsty.
3 - Harry Kane is the third opposition player to score inside 60 seconds at Anfield in a Premier League game, after Matt Elliott for Leicester in August 1997 and Olivier Dacourt for Everton in April 1999. Shell-shocked. #LIVTOT pic.twitter.com/kIXCfZS7Vk
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 27, 2019
13′ Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
Better from Liverpool, as they switch play to the left and Mane links with Robertson to send the left-back into the box. His low cross is poor, though, and easily gathered by Gazzaniga.
15′ – Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
Again Liverpool attack down the left after Dele Alli gives the ball away in midfield. Robertson’s cross for Salah at the back post is too high, though.
Play has yet to resume – Serge Aurier is down clutching his knee after colliding with Wijnaldum.
18′ – Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
Aurier is good to continue. Liverpool, initially confounded by Spurs, are slowly finding space down the flanks.
Mo Salah battles with Rose and forces a corner, Liverpool’s first.
18′ – Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
18′ – It’s cleared, but Robertson sweeps the ball to Alexander-Arnold on the right. he plays a one-two with Fabinho, and whips in a cross that’s put behind by Sanchez.
The next corner goes to the front post, and Mane angles a header over the bar.
Elsewhere – Sokratis and David Luiz have Arsenal 2-0 up at home to Palace.
20′ Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
Oooh. Hoiked ball to the box is flicked by Mane for Salah, whose first-time volley is straight at Gazzaniga.
At the other end – Kane wins a long ball above Lovren and finds Son in loads of space on the left, but Alexander-Arnold recovers and blocks the shot.
A goal for Scott McTominay has Man United a goal up at Norwich.
23′ Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
Tottenham so close to a second! Eriksen switches play to Kane on the left, whose first-time cross is slightly too far ahead of Alli. He recovers and pulls the ball back for Eriksen, whose volley is wide but inches ahead of Kane at the back stick.
27′ Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
Gazzaniga steps up! Firmino lays it off to Salah, whose shot from the edge of the box is parried away, and he springs back to his feet to deny Firmino from the follow-up!
Liverpool are beginning to find their range.
28′ Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
Another great Gazzaniga save! Alexander-Arnold whips a free-kick onto Van Dijk’s forehead, but the ‘keeper pushes it over the bar from point-blank range. Superb, and Spurs deal with the corner.
29′ – Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
Gazzaniga saves Spurs AGAIN! Robertson pulls a ball across for Alexander-Arnold, who hits a piledriver from range but the Spurs’ ‘keeper beats the ball away again. Liverpool so dominant. Can Spurs survive for much longer?
30′ Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
What a miss by Mane! Stunning cross from Alexander-Arnold from deep, but Mane glances his header wide of the post from inside the six-yard box.
A sitter!
32′ – Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
Liverpool are finding oceans of room on the flanks now. Anfield has found its voice in expectation – an equaliser feels pretty close…
Elsewhere: a Milovojevic penalty has cut Arsenal’s lead against Palace to 2-1; Rashford has United 2-0 up at Norwich.
34′ – Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
Spurs are taking their sweet time over every throw-in and goal-kick they get. Anfield is unimpressed.
And now Sissoko is booked for stopping a quick free-kick.
36′ Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
It wasn’t worth the wait – Alexander-Arnold scuffs the set-piece and hits the first man.
37′ – Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
Now Danny Rose is booked, for flying in about a week late on Jordan Henderson. It rules him out of next week’s game with Everton.
39′ – Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
Spurs survive that set-piece. Alexander-Arnold sweeps a cross to the back post for Firmino, whose square ball hits Sissoko and dribbles into Gazzaniga’s grateful arms.
Van Dijk collapsed onto the ground holding his face, but after a brief bout of panic from the fans around him, picks himself up and looks fine to continue.
41′ – Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
A long ball breaks for Mane on the edge of the box, who secures possession and wins a free. It’s within range…
43′ Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
…unfortunately for Alexander-Arnold, so was the wall, and his set-piece his Sissoko’s head. But Spurs concede yet another foul as they try and clear, wide on the right.
It’s another poor effort, though, and Rose heads clear.
45+2′- Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
Liverpool scream for a penalty as Mane’s cross hits Davinson Sanchez. VAR says no penalty, as it hit him on the top of the shoulder.
HT: Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
Spurs took the lead after 47 seconds and then spent 47 minutes defending. Liverpool have had all of the ball and most of the chances, but Gazzaniga has kept them at bay with a string of fine saves.
Liverpool haven’t lost a league game here since April 2017 – they have 45 minutes to avoid the reset button being pushed on that record.
Back in a few.
Elsewhere – Arsenal are 2-1 up at home to Crystal Palace while Manchester United lead Norwich 2-0.
It could have been much, much better for United – they’ve missed two penalties in that half.
Peeeeep! We are back underway at Anfield!
47′ – Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
Gazzaniga AGAIN!
Robertson floats a cross for Firmino to the back-post, but the goalkeeper saves from point-blank range. This is bordering on ludicrous.
48′ – Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
OFF THE BAR!
Oh my word. Gazzaniga’s long ball catches out Lovren yet again, Son rounds Alisson…and thwacks a shot off the crossbar!
What a chance for Spurs!
49′ – Liverpool 0-1 Spurs
Kane is having his customarily fun day out against Lovren. He knocks the ball by the Croatian defender and goes down holding his face when Lovren thrusts an arm into it in trying to recover.
Lovren gets booked, but Liverpool clear the free-kick.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Spurs (Jordan HendersonOfAllPeople, 52′)
And thus the dam bursts…albeit an unexpected source!
Liverpool hoist a ball into the box for Firmino, it’s too high for him but Henderson pops up close to the endline, and volleys a ball past Gazzaniga.
A superb finish!
54′ – Liverpool 1-1 Spurs
Liverpool in the groove now. Fabinho clips a pass forward for Salah, but his volley is scuffed and easy for Gazzaniga.
Cheers up Spurs fans: Arsenal have blown a two-goal lead against Palace. It’s now 2-2, Jordan Ayew’s goal.
57′ Liverpool 1-1 Spurs
Gazzaniga saves again! Good grief, Sanchez drops a bollock and totally misses the ball in the box. Firmino pounces, but his shot is from an acute angle and is blocked by the goalkeeper’s legs.
60′ – Liverpool 1-1 Spurs
This is unrelenting from Liverpool. They were inches away moments ago – a deep cross is controlled by Wijnaldum, who doesn’t shoot but recylces the ball left for Robertson, whose cross flashes across goal and is so close to Firmino. Liverpool come back straight away – Alexander-Arnold’s cross is met by Wijnaldum’s head but it is right at Gazzaniga.
Spurs are clinging on by their fingernails…
63′ – Liverpool 1-1 Spurs
Another stunning whipped cross by Alexander-Arnold narrowly misses Firmino in the box. They are so, so dominant at the moment, switching play between their full-backs through the outstanding Fabinho.
Spurs make a change – Tanguy Ndombele on for Harry Winks.
63′ – Liverpool 1-1 Spurs
Respite for Spurs. Alexander-Arnold is booked for a foul on Kane on the left touchline. The set-piece comes to nowt; it is flagged offside.
Jordan Henderson enjoying his equaliser.
64′ – Liverpool 1-1 Spurs
Salah wriggles into space in the box, but fires a shot right at Gazzaniga.
68′ – Liverpool 1-1 Spurs
Robertson drives into the box, but his cross is deflected behind by Sanchez. Corner a-comin’….
69′ – Liverpool 1-1 Spurs
…Son heads the corner behind for another.
The follow-up corner is floated deep to Salah, who snaps a shot wide.
71′ – Liverpool 1-1 Spurs
Spurs get out of their own half, a through-ball for Eriksen is poor, though, and a follow-up cross by Aurier from the right is equally overhit. Alli tries an acrobatic effort but it hits the side-netting.
72′ – Liverpool 1-1 Spurs
NDombele is fouled for cynically pulling at Fabinho’s arm.
73′ Liverpool 1-1 Spurs
Alexander-Arnold forces a corner. It’s played short, but Henderson’s whipped cross is too close to Gazzaniga.
PENALTY LIVERPOOL!
A long ball over the top, and Mane beats Aurier to the bunch. Aurier initially does well to win the ball back, but Mane regathers and is kicked in the back of the calf.
Salah to take…
74′ – Liverpool 2-1 Spurs (Salah pen)
GOAL!!
Just like the Champions League final – Salah buries the spot kick. A big, big goal for Liverpool, and it’s well-deserved.
76′ – Liverpool 2-1 Spurs
Liverpool make their first change – James Milner comes on for Gini Wijnaldum.
78′ – Liverpool 2-1 Spurs
Now Spurs go searching for something. Son whips a great cross in from the left but it’s too far in front of Kane.
Robertson knocked it behind for a corner…which he then heads away.
80′ – Liverpool 2-1 Spurs
Two crucial interceptions by van Dijk foils Spurs.
The attack keeps on going, and Aurier forces a corner off Mane, which Lovren heads clear.
Back Spurs come, but it ends with an offside flag for Son. They have found some attacking intent…
81′ – Liverpool 2-1 Spurs
It’s all Spurs now. Alexander-Arnold is penalised for a foul on Danny Rose down Spurs’ left, so this is far from over…
83′ – Liverpool 2-1 Spurs
…it comes to nothing, as Son heads wide.
Pochettino plays his hand, and sends Lucas Moura on for Aruier. Sissoko goes to right-back. Meanwhile, Mo Salah is on the ground for Liverpool, and seems to have a problem with his left ankle.
Salah is gone – Joe Gomez replaces him. Liverpool to go to a back three/five.
86′ – Liverpool 2-1 Spurs
Oh, not quite – Gomez has gone to right-back and Alexander-Arnold has pushed to right-wing.
Gomez’ first invovlement is to concede a free-kick…his second is to deflect Danny Rose’s cross to Alisson’s arms after it’s taken quickly.
87′ – Liverpool 2-1 Spurs
Spurs have the ball now but going nowhere with it, as NDombele makes a mess of a pass by kicking it to Alisson.
A final Spurs change – Lo Celso for Eriksen.
88′ Liverpool 2-1 Spurs
BIG CHANCE ROSE!
Spurs switch play to Rose, who cuts into the box, but he skews his shot wildly over the bar!
90+1′ – Liverpool 2-1 Spurs
Liverpool break, and Mane does well to shrug off a couple of challenges. He feeds the ball too Milner, who takes the ball to the corner, and is pushed over by Sissoko.
He wins the free, but is booked for an earlier foul on Moura.
90+2′ – Liverpool 2-1 Spurs
Alisson saves!
Good play by Spurs, the sweep the ball across to Son, but his first shot is saved – and held – really well by Alisson.
Firmino makes way for Divock Origi.
Corner for Spurs in the very last minute.
Can they!?
Gazzaniga comes forward!
90+4′ – Liverpool 2-1 Spurs
Alderwerield heads straight at Alisson!
FT: Liverpool 2-1 Spurs
Liverpool grind it out. They fell behind after 47 seconds but responded superbly, wearing down Spurs pass by pass and eventually got the goals they needed. They flicked into preservation mode after that, and re-established a six-point lead over Man City.
A day on which they showed many of the tools needed to win the league, with Fabinho turning in a pretty remarkable midfielder.
As for Spurs – they showed a bit of spark, plenty of fight and carved out a few chances, but they were beaten by much the better side. They are two sides who met in Madrid in June while travelling in opposite directions.
Thanks for following – bye!
