TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS VS LIVERPOOL: POST-MATCH ANALYSIS.

Tottenham Hotspurs lined up in a 3-4-1-2 with Serge Aurier and Danny Rose playing as wingbacks. Winks and Eriksen were patnered in the midfield while Ali linked them with the attackers-Lucas Moura and Son Heung-Min.

On the other hand, Liverpool lined up in their normal 4-3-3. Up front, the trio was the same too (Mane, Firmino and Salah).

Roberto Firmino celebrating after scoring against Spurs. Source: LFC Globe.

The intentions were clear at the start of the game. Spurs were to defend and break Liverpool's passing lanes. Jose Mourinho came up with this tactic to prevent Liverpool from making the Central Overloads. Here are the reasons why Jose Mourinho used the 3-4-1-2 formation:

1. Have an extra defender.

People have been criticizing Jose on his ugly football. His philosophy is clear, "To win not to play."  Mourinho is a fan of Catenaccio which is a defensive football tactic. This extra defender is to act as the last man, sweeper and another defensive layer. I will explain this on my "The rise of Catenaccio".

2. To stop Liverpool's Crosses.

By having many defenders in the box, it is easy to intercept opponents crosses and launch attacks through clearances. Liverpool have scored most of their goals from crosses and set-pieces. They rarely score from open play. By using wing backs, Mourinho knew he would defend with 5 defenders when Spurs lost possession. This tactic worked very well in the first 30 minutes.

 Spurs having numbers advantage in their third trying to intercept a cross. Youtube screenshot: Maybach

3. Hit Liverpool on Counter-Attacks.

When you give the opponent time to posses the ball, they'll build up their play and their defenders 

will not be on their natural positions i.e they'll attack. So Mourinho used Lucas Moura and Son who were fast paced. Behind them was Ali who is a good play maker. After clearing the ball, Ali would get it and find either Son or Moura behind the Liverpool's defensive line. After conceding the first half goal, Mourinho made two substitutions which changed the game from defensive to attacking football. Lo Celso replaced Eriksen while Lamela came in to Danny Rose's place. After these changes, Spurs used a 4-4-2 formation with Serge Aurier dropping back to the defence.

Reasons why Liverpool won the match:

1. Jurgen Klopp's in-game management.

Most analysts have hailed the Germany's management when the game is on. He finds every answer to problems from the opposition's manager. After his tactics backfired he told Henderson move into the spaces and create chances from there. Also, he encouraged his players to utilise the throw ins which gave them the only goal.

2. Spurs werenot clinical enough in front of the goal.

Totenham Hotspurs lacked confidence in front of the goal and wasted many chances that could have saw them off Liverpool at home. Most of the shots went wide or straight to the keeper's hands.

 Son's strike crossing over the bar. Yotube screenshot: Maybach.

3. Liverpool's quick taking of free kicks, corners and throw ins.

This tactic saw Barcelona off in Anfield last time during the UCL 2nd leg clash. Although Mourinho had done this during his training, his players forgot to do the necessary in the pitch. and this led to conceding the goal.

 Andrew Robertson takes the throw-in as Aurier was still complaining to the referee and this movement eventually resulted to a goal. Source: This Is Anfield.

CONCLUSION:

Despite of Spurs loss to Liverpool, this has given indications that Liverpool can be stopped. If Mourinho's men were more quick and at least more clinical, they could have won the match. On the other hand, Liverpool portrayed a good football and tactical flexibility. They showed the world why they are at the top of the EPL table. 

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