Liverpool click into gear at White Hart Lane to beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-0

Last season, the defeat inflcted by Liverpool on Spurs left Villas Boas’s job hanging by the thread. The thread ran out soon after. Times have changed, the situation isn’t that dire any more but the result still remains same.

In their last 4 games against Liverpool, Spurs have conceded 15 goals. Spurs have changed their manager this season. Personnel have changed more often for Spurs than the results and here again on a glorious Sunday afternoon, the result had the same sinking feeling as last season.

After the fluidity shown last weekend, Spurs was expected to compete if not challenge Liverpool. The initial focus though was on Mario Balotelli and to be fair Hugo Lloris was impressive but then we have seen far better finishing. What was impressive though was the work rate that Balotelli kept on putting, appearing in the full-back positions, assisting his team-mates. Balotelli has always endeared himself to the fans, but if this performance can be emulated time and again then he will endear himself to his new team-mates as well. Albeit the wayward finishing.

Liverpool make a statement of intent

Liverpool arrived with lots of questions than answers. Given the manner of defeat inflicted by Manchester City, it was imperative that Liverpool made a statement of intent. This was a convincing enough reply but things haven’t still clicked into gear. Miscommunication was still present between the central defenders, but decisiveness was a key factor in Liverpool dominating at the back.

A few misplaced passes were made as Liverpool were hurried at times, but Spurs’ strategy struck more of something between hurried pressing and lazy passing. The early goal for Liverpool was coming and near interplay between Sturridge and Henderson helped Sterling apply a calm and accurate finish at the far-post.

Balotelli then showed his strength and composure to wriggle free of Kaboul and making a pass which was smothered straight into his path by Lloris who was quick to come off his line. A snapshot volley by Balotelli was way off the mark, but led to even Rodgers having a quiet smile.

Spurs though finished the half strongly as Chadli had a shot which was well saved by Mignolet. Spurs spent almost £100 million last summer, but the lack of a goal poacher was again evident. Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen were well shackled, but to be fair they never got going. Eric Dier, one of the new recruits and the match winner the opening weekend was third time unlucky as he tugged back Joe Allen in the penalty box. Up stepped Steven Gerrard and dispatched his penalty.

The stuffing had been knocked out but Moreno showed all the hype around him isn’t just hype. After a debut in which his error allowed Jovetic to open the scoring on Monday, he opened his account. Dispossessing Townsend in his own half, Moreno went on a solo direct run to go and score a goal of pure class across the goalkeeper at the far end corner. Game, set and match. There was still time for Sterling to dance across the Spurs defense and the game petered out as early as the 75th minute.

Belated attacks from Spurs didn’t ask any questions of the Liverpool defense. Time and again the problems of fluidity and consistency has harmed Spurs and to make matters worse, Rose limped off the ground as the match fizzled out.