Four things we learnt from Liverpool's tense win against Spurs

Liverpool held onto a narrow 2-1 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur after an impressive first half performance. 

Four things we learnt from Liverpool's tense win against Spurs
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: (THE SUN OUT,THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Mohamed Salah of Liverpool with Tottenham Hotspur's Clement Lenglet during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 06, 2022 in London, England.
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By Alex Mitton

Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in North London thanks to two goals from talisman Mohamed Salah. It was an impressive first half performance from the Reds which catapulted them towards victory.

Salah's first goal was a powerful finish into the bottom right corner, before he delicately chipped Hugo Lloris after capitalising on Eric Dier's woeful mistake.

In the second half, Spurs' intensity increased, but they could only find a consolation through Harry Kane's perfect strike. Dejan Kulusevski returned from injury as a substitute, and made an immediate impact by providing the assist for Kane.

Here's four things we learnt from the epic clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

First half woes for the Lilywhites

Spurs' second half performance warranted a result for the hosts. It was high intensity, passionate and efficient up until the final third. However, their first half performance lacked structure and produced some individual mistakes. It's been a recurring theme in recent weeks, and it's beginning to worry Spurs fan.

With the World Cup fast approaching, matches have been happening every three or four days. It's caused injury, fatigue and given a challenging headache to managers like Antonio Conte. 

Recently, Spurs captain Hugo Lloris said: "Like every team playing every three days you cannot play 90 minutes with intensity, so you miss 20 to 30 minutes in a game".

It suggests that it is planned for the Lilywhites to play at a lower intensity in the first half, but is it working? In their last five matches, Spurs have mounted a comeback in the second half, winning two, drawing one and losing two. 

Against Liverpool, they had few options in the final third in the opening half, which isolated Kane in attack. But, that changed in the second half when the wing-backs pushed higher up the pitch to provide support. If Conte's side were stronger in the first half, they would have earnt a result against the Reds.

  • Kulusevski's Impact

Dejan Kulusevski has taken the world by storm ever since he moved to N17 in January. Last season, he provided flare, a creative outlet and pace out wide. He continued this form into the current season, but this was suddenly halted by a thigh injury. It meant that he missed ten games in the autumn, but finally returned against Jurgen Klopp's side.

The Swede received a large cheer when he replaced Ryan Sessegnon in the 68th minute. The fans were delighted to delighted to see him back, but they were even happier when he made an instant impact.

Just eighty seconds into his return, Kulusevski placed a lovely through-ball to Kane, before the talisman finished superbly into the bottom left corner. It started the comeback for Spurs, and, although it ended it vein, it showed just how important the winger is to Tottenham. 

Emerson Royal provided little attacking threat down the right flank. It made Spurs predictable down the flanks. It meant that as soon as the Swedish international entered the pitch, he provided Spurs with a different and unique creative outlet.

  • Salah steels the show

Before the match, Liverpool were yet to win an away match in the Premier League. They've struggled to find momentum in a packed season, and Salah has struggled to perform in the league.

However, that all changed against Tottenham. His two goals projected the Reds to victory, and it showed why the Egyptian can never be written off. His first goal was a powerful low shot into the bottom right corner. Meanwhile, his second strike was the complete opposite, as he delicately chipped Lloris off his line. 

In the remainder of the match, the attacker had limited involvement, however the impact he made from his two strikes was enough to earn him man of the match. It takes his league goal tally to six for the season, but the winger will be hoping he can come back firing after his winter break.

  • Konate shows his importance

Ibrahima Konate has had a season full of injury so far. He was out for the start of the season due to a knee injury, and had not played in the league since Liverpool's 3-2 loss to Arsenal.

However, on his first league start of the season, the Frenchman showed his class with a sensational performance. The centre-back won 67% of his tackles, made eight clearances and eleven recoveries. It provided a strong foundation for the Reds to build from, especially alongside his formidable partner Virgil Van Dijk. 

Throughout the match, he limited the impact of Kane, and gave him little space to work with. Isolating the England captain was key to Liverpool's victory, showing just how important Konate's performance was. The Frenchman will be hoping he can stay injury free for the remainder of the season and for the upcoming World Cup.