5 observations from Liverpool's 2-1 win over Tottenham

 

A late Roberto Firmino strike saw Liverpool leapfrog Tottenham at the top of the Premier League table in a 2-1 win at Anfield as the Reds maintained their dominance over Spurs on Merseyside. Mohamed Salah put Liverpool ahead before Son Heung-Min drew the north London side level, but it was man of the match Firmino who earned Jurgen Klopp's side all the spoils 

 

Rhys Williams on his Premier League debut 

 

The absense of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip left Jurgen Klopp with a predicament. With 24 goals to their name, Tottenham are among the highest scorers in the Premier League, but with three first choice centre-backs sidelined through injury, the Liverpool boss had a decision to make. 

 

Fabinho, as he has done so often in 2020/21, start at centre-back, with Klopp electing to hand Rhys Williams his Premier League debut. It wasn't exactly a baptism of fire for Williams - he had started three of their six Champions League matches - yet having previously used Nathaniel Phillips in defence, the decision to use Williams against the Premier League leaders was perhaps the surprise pick. 

 

The 19-year-old, though, put in a solid shift alongside Fabinho at the heart of the defence, coming away with a WhoScored rating of 7.02. The teenager won all six aerial duels he contested, while additional returns of two clearances and two interceptions capped a solid debut from Williams. 

 

 

Mourinho gives indication on how he'll use Lo Celso and Ndombele together 

 

"Can they play together? Yes, they can." It was music to fans' ears when Jose Mourinho admitted that Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele can star alongside one another. This season, Mourinho has elected for a midfield trio of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Moussa Sissoko and Ndombele, with the latter operating ahead of the former pair. It suggested that the France international and Lo Celso were vying for one spot in the starting XI. 

 

In midweek, Mourinho dropped Ndombele to the bench in favour of Le Celso, but rather than use the Argentine in the coventional number 10 role, he instead played alongside Hojbjerg in a 4-4-2. It was a tinker in system for Mourinho, but suggests he has an idea of how to crowbar Lo Celso, Ndombele and Hojbjerg into the same midfield three in his preferred 4-2-3-1. 

 

While it would be harsh to drop Moussa Sissoko given his underrated importance in this Spurs midfield, it's a trio that supporters are crying out for and, in using Lo Celso and Hojbjerg as a central pair, gave an indication on how Mourinho can use the latter duo and Ndombele in the future.

 

Profligacy almost cost Liverpool the win 

 

It took an injury-time winner from Roberto Firmino to secure a 2-1 win over Tottenham on Wednesday night. Liverpool took the lead through a deflected Mohamed Salah effort before Son Heung-Min responded shortly after. Tottenham had their chances to take the lead, notably through Steven Bergwijn and Harry Kane, but it was Liverpool who had more opportunities. 

 

In total, Liverpool had 11 shots on target at Anfield, with Hugo Lloris making nine saves. Of those nine saves, a vast majority were comfortable for the Frenchman, or even straight at him. It may not have proved costly on the night, but further down the line Liverpool may be punished for their profligacy. 

 

The Premier League's most entertaining race for the Golden Boot? 

 

Dominic Calvert-Lewin started the night as the Premier League's out and out goalscorer, with 11 to his name. By full time in the three 8pm kick offs, he was joined at the top by Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-Min. Jamie Vardy sits on 10 goals and Harry Kane and Patrick Bamford have both hit the back of the net nine times in England's top tier this term. 

 

With just two goals separating the Premier League's top six goalscorers with a third of the season gone, 2020/21 promises to be one of the most exciting races for the Golden Boot. There is plenty of time for the leaderboard to change over the coming months, but no player has been capable of taking the intiative in the race for this individual accolade.  

 

Aurier breaks 2020/21 tackle record 

 

Unfortunately for Tottenham they fell to a 2-1 loss at Liverpool that saw them leapfrogged by the Reds to the top of the Premier League. However, for Serge Aurier, he did all he good to contain the Liverpool threat down their left. Indeed, the Ivorian made 10 tackles at Anfield on Wednesday night, a record in a Premier League match this season. It's scant consolation for Aurier, yet he continues to prove his doubters wrong having established himself as first choice right-back for Spurs.

5 observations from Liverpool's 2-1 win over Tottenham