Mohamed Salah stood out for the Reds in their 4-1 thumping at Wembley simply for scoring Liverpool’s only goal of the game. In a disastrous afternoon for the away side, the Egyptian’s 24th minute scuffed effort was the only moment of joy for the travelling fans.
Spurs simply had too much firepower for Liverpool, with the Reds defenders and indeed attackers failing to provide any sort of positivity for the loyal fans who had made the journey to London. After failing to deal with the continuous counter attacks from Spurs, the Liverpool defenders, in particular Dejan Lovren and indeed Simon Mignolet in goal, were simply incapable of what lay ahead of them.
Harry Kane once again showed his class while Salah showed the only moment of class for Liverpool, side footing in Jordan Henderson’s wonderful through ball after the away side conceded two goals inside 12 first half minutes.
With 12 shots – seven on target – Liverpool’s forwards were undeniably more clinical than in previous weeks, yet it was a matter of a world-class goalkeeper in their way in Hugo Lloris, and indeed some top defending from the Spurs back line. The same cannot be said for Liverpool, and it was undoubtedly Salah who shone for them with some blistering runs down the right hand side.
After bursting past Serge Aurier on numerous occasions, the final ball just did not arrive as neither Salah nor Phillipe Coutinho could find a way through.
Worryingly for Jurgen Klopp’s men, Tottenham’s second goal was the 1000th that Liverpool have conceded in the Premier League (now 1002), making them the sixth team to have reached this milestone (Tottenham 1237, Everton 1225, Aston Villa 1186, West Ham 1163 and Newcastle 1148).
After Salah’s sole goal at Wembley yesterday, only Robbie Fowler has scored more goals than in their first nine Premier League appearances for Liverpool, an impressive return given that the Egyptian plays out wide.
Salah was by no means outstanding, but he was simply better than anyone else in a Liverpool shirt, and will need to continue his fine goal scoring form should Klopp’s side get anything from their upcoming games.
Liverpool now have until Saturday afternoon to sort out their defensive woes as Huddersfield travel to Anfield, and after defeating Manchester United last time out, the Terriers will undoubtedly fancy their chances against an out-of-form Liverpool side. Teams genuinely have no fear of the Reds like they once used to, and it is simply down to a shaky and incapable back line and goalkeeper.
