Champions League 2018-19 Final: 3 reasons Tottenham Hotspur lost the trophy to Liverpool

#2 Quiet outing for the Spurs attackers

Spurs struggle to create inroads into Liverpool territory.

Early in the game, when Spurs went a goal down courtesy of a controversial and debatable penalty awarded to Liverpool as Moussa Sissoko was judged to be guilty of handball, it was the eighth time in the campaign that Spurs had conceded a goal in the opening seven minutes of the game.

This time, though, they couldn’t find the key to unlock the Liverpool defence. Sterile, slow, and uninspiring, the attack appeared out of sync and failed to fashion clear-cut opportunities. Christian Eriksen endured an uncharacteristically quiet game while Dele Alli impact was limited. Son was the only bright spot in the second half and managed to trouble the opposition with his direct running, quick feet, and industry.

However, Pochettino’s side did not offer the incisiveness and interwoven combination play that their highly talented frontline is so capable of displaying. Their lack of a cutting edge and inability to breach open the Liverpool fortress by taking adequate risks ultimately cost them the Champions League trophy.