Mauricio Pochettino exploited Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities and exposed the Manchester United manager’s rationale during their recent visit to AnfieldMauricio Pochettino had promised further surprises after his deployment of a 5-3-2 against Real Madrid, but perhaps the biggest surprise was that he kept the shape the same. There were other unusual aspects to the win – Tottenham Hotspur had not been ahead against Liverpool since March 2013, Harry Kane had not previously scored a league goal at Wembley and Spurs, at last, looked at ease in their new home – but none of those particularly came as a shock.Neither, in truth, did Liverpool’s defending. Two goals were conceded to simple balls in behind them, at least two more could have been,...
Liverpool’s Croatian centre-back produced the worst half-hour on the pitch in recent memory, during which he appeared to have completely forgotten he was actually playing in a football match, in the 4-1 hammering by TottenhamThe humane thing to do, looking back on this exhilaratingly open 4-1 Wembley victory for Tottenham Hotspur against Liverpool, would be to focus on the ruthlessness of Harry Kane, the brutal speed of Spurs’ counterattack, the running of Son Heung-min.Things are rarely that easy, though. In Germany they have a concept called Ruinenlust, which describes the irresistible pleasure of seeing a deeply distressed object in the process of falling to pieces. And for half an hour here Liverpool provided something similar as Jürgen Klopp’s team produced...
Tottenham and Liverpool are well-matched in skill and ambition and their managers are seeking to construct futures that will end obsession with the pastMauricio Pochettino loves a hug. The pre-match handshake may be no more than a glazed formality for most Premier League managers. But not for Pochettino who, when he gives himself, gives himself completely and who has taken the Poch-hug to new and ever-manlier levels in his four years in England, from simple chest-bump to full-blown neck-fondling embrace. What seems certain is that Jürgen Klopp will get something from the most fraternal end of the scale when Tottenham and Liverpool meet at Wembley on Sunday. Related: Tottenham reaping rewards of Pochettino’s vision, on and off the pitch |...
It wasn’t just José Mourinho who was cautious – by keeping Henderson, Wijnaldum and Can on, Liverpool’s manager shunned the hyperactive approachIt is not something you often have to consider but what if José Mourinho was right? What if, on Saturday, there was for once no bluff or manipulation, no attempt to provoke or deflect attention: what if the analysis he gave of Manchester United’s 0-0 draw at Liverpool was straightforward and correct?There was, of course, a passive aggressive jibe dividing the world into those who watch football for entertainment (the monsters!) and those who actually understand the game but beyond that his words seemed fairly straightforward. There was a – grudging – respect towards Jürgen Klopp for the way he...
José Mourinho came for a point at Anfield yet Manchester United could ultimately regret not exploiting Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilitiesFirst the highlights of Manchester United’s afternoon. Highlight No1. With 34 minutes gone David de Gea produced a genuinely brilliant save, sticking out his left foot to block a close-range shot from Joël Matip after a corner. It was a game‑saving moment, an example of the way a fantastic goalkeeper can drive his team from the back, snatching those small, stand‑alone moments that direct the wider story of matches won, points gained, teams built. Related: José Mourinho defends Manchester United tactics after Anfield stalemate Related: Liverpool left frustrated again by David de Gea and Manchester United Continue reading...