Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham: Matchday blog
Liverpool were in impressive form to defeat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the Premier League at Anfield. Here is the story of how the game unfolded...
Klopp's verdict
We'll leave the last word this evening to the manager, who reflected on a reaction from the 'whole of LFC' as his side defeated Spurs. Click here to read his verdict at Anfield.
JK: "I am happy that everybody was ready for a smile tonight - and we gave them a reason to."
JK: "We started 2017 tonight and we should not go nuts immidiately and talk about other things. Let's take it step by step."
JK: "I thought it made sense that we showed it [intensity and aggression] from the first second. For each pass they played, for us it was an invitation to chase."
JK: "It's not a shame we have to wait 16 days until the next game. Now we have a few days where we can really train. We will use the time and hopefully everybody will be able to see that.
JK: "We have to use the time and then show again [at Leicester] that we are there. Tonight it was nice to watch how the whole of LFC reacted - not just the team, but the crowd as well."
JK: "We are back in this race and we have to use this situation."
JK: "We are a really good, organised side. You need a little bit of luck, we've had a few injuries and of course we missed Sadio in January - every team in the world would have missed him,"
Jürgen Klopp: "I think it was a deserved win - and that's the only thing I am concerned about."
Sadio Mané goals bringing light to this 2017 !! @LFC 2 vs Tottenham 0 Top four #YNWA
— luchogarcia14 (Luis Garcia) 11th Feb 19:35
Enjoyed listening to that!! Great result for Liverpool against such a strong side and rival to get back to winning ways
— NeilMellor33 (Neil Mellor) 11th Feb 19:24
Here's what that result has done to the Premier League table...
The stats from a great evening for the Reds...
Full Time
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham
What a performance from the Reds, who produced when they really needed to tonight. Sadio Mane's sensational brace in the first half proved enough and Klopp's men earn their first Premier League win of 2017.
Substitution
Standing ovation for Mane as he is replaced by Alexander-Arnold.
Four minutes of added time at Anfield.
Yellow Card
Alderweireld now cautioned for a cynical kick on Firmino.
Substitution
Lucas is replaced by Klavan, while Spurs send on Janssen for Son.
Yellow Card
Yellow card to Dier.
Substitution
Can on for Coutinho, Sissoko replaces Dembele.
The Reds have raised it again in the last few minutes and more productive work from Firmino and Lallana forged room for Coutinho to use at the edge of the area - but his low hit dribbled wide of the target.
Milner whipped a good cross into the Tottenham box from the free-kick and found Matip, but the defender nodded the ball within comfortable reach of Lloris.
Yellow Card
Another addition to the yellow card club - Winks.
Yellow Card
Milner the latest player to pick up a booking.
Substitution
Winks on for Eriksen for the visitors.
Yellow Card
Kane is shown a yellow card for a nasty challenge on Clyne.
There is not quite the same level of energy from either team in this second period, though Firmino is rarely short of running and the No.11 is keeping Liverpool on the front foot with some efficient closing down at the moment.
From the free-kick, Eriksen spun an inviting delivery towards Kane, who diverted the ball against the post - though the linesman flagged for offside anyway.
Yellow Card
And Matip follows the skipper into the book for an awkward tackle on Eriksen.
Yellow Card
Frustration for the Reds as Henderson is cautioned and Spurs awarded a free-kick after the captain chased Alli along the flank to stem a counter-attack.
A slightly calmer beginning to this half, though only slightly. And Liverpool have simply picked up the baton from the first 45 minutes so far, pressing Spurs back into their own box.
Kick-Off
Spurs re-start the match. More of the same please, Reds!
All of the stats from a thrilling first half at Anfield...
Here are the latest odds from BetVictor...
Liverpool - 1/18
Draw - 11/1
Tottenham - 30/1
Click here for more details.
Our best half in months. One of the best this season, considering we're running over the best defence in the league. #LFC
— ViktorFagerLFC (Viktor Fagerström) 11th Feb 18:21
Fantastic fist pump from Klopp to the Main Stand as Lallana pressure wins a corner. Great half 2-0 #LFC at the break. They've been brilliant
— AndyK_LivNews (Andy Kelly) 11th Feb 18:17
Strong first half with a brace for Sadio Mane- Less than 3 minutes between goals #LFCTOT 📷@LFC https://t.co/OjfRsw7V8u
— Linda_Pizzuti (Linda Pizzuti Henry) 11th Feb 18:17
Half Time
What a half.
Finally a chance to show you a picture of the lads celebrating Mane's quickfire double.
This is more like a basketball game at the moment. Another slick LFC move, prompted by a delightful Wijnaldum flick early on, ends with Clyne driving a shot too close to Lloris.
Free Kick
Danger for the home side with Eriksen standing over a free-kick, 20 yards from goal and in a favourable central position. But his swiped strike flew off target past the left post.
The Reds are creating so many chances here and Coutinho has now had an effort kept out by Lloris, after the Brazilian was teed up by compatriot Firmino. The shot wasn't quite in the corner and the Spurs stopper reacted well.
Yellow Card
Son has gone into the book for a clumsy tackle on Firmino.
And Tottenham just threatened again, with Lucas this time the man in the right place to clear with his head when Alli reached a deep cross and connected well with a nodded attempt.
A warning to Liverpool there and a crucial save by Mignolet, who stood up well to block Son's shot from yards out after the Spurs forward met a neat through ball into the box.
138 - There were just 138 seconds between both of Sadio Mane's goals for Liverpool. Rampant.
— OptaJoe (OptaJoe) 11th Feb 17:53
Mane fancies a hat-trick here. Two great stops from Lloris are all that has prevented him securing one already, the first after the Reds man raced in behind and shot low, and the second from a fierce blast.
Goal
GOALLL!!!!!! SADIO MANE!!!! AGAIN!!!
It's the Mane show.
The No.19 harried in Tottenham territory to win back possession, surged forward and tried to set up Lallana across the area for a finish. He was thwarted, so was Firmino, but Mane was there to crack the ball into the roof of the net.
Sensational.
Goal
GOALLLLLLL!!!! SADIO MANE!!!
It felt like it was coming and what a lovely move it was to break the deadlock.
Wijnaldum spotted a chance to slip Mane clean through and weighted his pass to perfection, giving the Senegal international opportunity to dribble on and loft a finish over Lloris for the opener.
Get in!
Good from the Reds again as a counter-attack was launched by Lallana's diagonal into an unmarked Clyne, speeding up the right flank. He squared for Firmino, who was blocked as he sized up a close-range strike, and Coutinho was then similarly denied from the rebound. Unlucky.
The first real response from the visitors - they worked the ball well from one side of the pitch to the other and a smart knock into Eriksen's forward run allowed for a shot that the midfielder could only scoop harmlessly into the air.
It has been a fast start by the Reds here and the team have drawn a couple of encouraging fist-pumps from the manager with their attacking play already.
Almost an opening for Liverpool as the ball was worked to Coutinho on the left edge of the box. The No.10 held onto it to assess the options and tried to sneak a pass past two defenders into the supporting run of Milner - who would have been completely free - but Spurs cleared.
Analyse the match as it happens this evening with the Opta chalkboard tool below...
Kick-Off
Adam Lallana gets us under way with kick-off.
The teams are out on the pitch and 'You'll Never Walk Alone' is being sung around the stadium. We've got that big game feeling... come on!
Some more snaps of the Foundation Day activities taking place around Anfield today...
Star of Homeland and Liverpool fan Damian Lewis is here to support the Reds today.
Behind the scenes
A little look inside the home dressing room ahead of kick-off.
Here come the Reds...
#THFC: Lloris (C), Walker, Alderweireld, Dier, Davies, Dembele, Wanyama, Dele, Eriksen, Son, Kane. #COYS https://t.co/6b3ar528sn
— SpursOfficial (Tottenham Hotspur) 11th Feb 16:30
Liverpool team: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Lucas, Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Coutinho, Mane, Firmino.
Substitutes: Karius, Klavan, Moreno, Alexander-Arnold, Can, Origi, Sturridge.
TEAM NEWS
Georginio Wijnaldum comes into the Liverpool side to face Tottenham in the only change from last weekend at Hull City.
The No.5 replaces Emre Can, who drops to the bench for the 5.30pm GMT clash at Anfield.
More shots of the ongoing #LFCFoundationDay...
Anfield #LFC https://t.co/AMbZAJAfdp
— James_Carroll84 (James Carroll) 11th Feb 15:20
Hoping for the double today! @LFC v @SpursOfficial and #WALvENG #SixNationsRugby 💪
— Ian_Rush9 (Ian Rush MBE) 11th Feb 14:41
#LFCFoundationDay
If you're heading to Anfield today, you'll notice plenty of activity around the ground marking the recent relaunch of the LFC Foundation.
Check out a few snaps of what's been going on so far today below.
A reminder that if you are unable to watch this evening's game, you can listen to our commentary from Anfield - the most passionate around! - for free. Simply visit this page ahead of kick-off.
At his pre-match press conference, Klopp discussed a range of topics - including how the Reds have been plotting a response against Spurs.
Watch his chat with the media in full on LFCTV GO...
What are the odds?
Prices are now available on today's match from our partner BetVictor...
Liverpool - 13/10
Draw - 12/5
Tottenham - 12/5
Click here if you fancy a flutter.
'Be brave and positive'
Birthday boy McManaman spoke to us about the challenge for his old team against Spurs and offered his take on the best way for Liverpool to put an end to their recent disappointing run.
"You have to still demand the ball and know that if things are not going right the crowd will groan, because that's what happens to every football team across the world. You have to still demand it, you have to still try to take your man on and still be positive. Things will turn around. They're all very good players."
🎂 Happy birthday Steve McManaman! https://t.co/u79SEnYUA1
— LFC (Liverpool FC) 11th Feb 11:09
Opposition view
Mauricio Pochettino brings his Tottenham side to Anfield on a nine-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, but has admitted he expects that record to be sternly tested by the Reds.
"For me, Liverpool have one of the best squads in England, very good players, one of the best teams. It's true in the last few weeks they have struggled to get good results but you know, sometimes all teams have ups and downs in the season. We suffered a little as well in October and November when it was tough for us. It's difficult to keep the same level throughout 10 months of the whole season."
Stat attack
Club statistician Ged Rea is a gold mine of interesting LFC facts and figures - here are some of our favourites relating to today's match...
- Home and away, Liverpool are unbeaten in the last eight league clashes, since losing in the capital in November 2012
- Of the last 23 goals scored in league meetings between the sides, 19 have come from the Reds
- The home side are undefeated in their past six Saturday tea-time Premier League games, winning five
- Spurs have won four times in their last 70 league visits to Anfield - in 1985, 1986, 1993 and 2011
Klopp: We want to make Anfield smile again
There are plenty of uplifting words from the boss in his programme notes today, with Klopp all too aware of the need to give the fans something to cheer.
"I think this afternoon's game is one that will really excite a football supporter, regardless of whether you have direct interest in LFC or Spurs. I can only speak for us, in terms of how we will approach it, but I know we go into this game with an ambitious outlook and looking to attack and fight for every kick, tackle and header. I am pretty sure this will be a game of high energy and high intensity. It is my hope that we can produce a performance that makes Anfield smile."
Here's how the land lies in the Premier League before the weekend's games, which get under way when Arsenal host Hull City this lunchtime..
I'm confident that we can get a good result later against spurs despite the run of form we are in. No reason why not. #LFC
— LFCYNWA92 (Q ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) 11th Feb 10:44
Weather
Stop what you're doing, weather fans - it's time for the Liverpoolfc.com forecast.
A calm, if a little bleak, morning has greeted the city, with temperatures currently hovering around four degrees. That's unlikely to change throughout the day, meaning a no-brainer with regards to a coat if you are heading to Anfield later.
Team news
When he spoke to the press on Friday, the manager revealed that Liverpool were waiting to see whether Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren could be involved in training and subsequently today's game, after Achilles and knee injuries respectively.
Ragnar Klavan, meanwhile, returned to training this week following illness.
Jürgen Klopp has also praised the showings of Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane at Melwood as the attacking pair try to reproduce their blistering form of the first half of the season.
We'll bring you the chosen XI to face Spurs right here at 4.30pm GMT.
BOOM! It's #LFCFoundationDay! https://t.co/Mw1l74NqR7
— LFCFoundation (LFC Foundation) 11th Feb 09:05
As you'll have spotted on the programme cover, this evening's match forms part of LFC Foundation Day, with a range of activities planned before and during the game to support the club's official charity.
Click here for more information on what's coming up.
Here's today's unique matchday programme cover, designed by competition winner and LFC Official Member, Elizabeth Holt...
We were behind the scenes at Melwood to see Thursday's training session - take a look at photos and exclusive footage (via LFCTV GO) from the Reds' preparations...
This is the third meeting between these teams this season, with the opening league match ending 1-1 at White Hart Lane last August.
The Reds were then victorious in a League Cup tie at Anfield in October, on a night when Daniel Sturridge bagged a brace to settle the game.
Take a look at the stats behind each side's Premier League campaign so far - and how individual players have contributed - with our handy Opta tools below...
2016-17 2016-17
Good morning everyone
Hello and welcome to our live matchday blog for Liverpool's Premier League clash with Spurs at Anfield - thanks for joining us.
It's a crucial encounter and we're set to bring you updates throughout the day, including confirmed team news before anywhere else and extensive coverage of the action and reaction.
What better way to spend a Saturday?