This match was the moment in which it truly felt as though the English Premier League season got underway. With the first, awkward, international break out of the way the visit of Liverpool to Wembley Stadium to face Spurs had the feeling of a clash of genuine heavyweights. Indeed, if ever there was one this was a match that deserved an analysis piece.
There was also an intriguing sense of contrast around the two clubs coming into this match. Spurs had hoped that this high profile game would herald the opening of their new fully redeveloped stadium, instead, they find themselves extending their stay at Wembley with a significant delay in having the ground made ready. Beyond that, though fans of the club will still point at the lack of investment??over the summer transfer window which combined with a busy World Cup period for many of their players has left the first team squad looking sluggish and out of rhythm. Some are pointing to the fact that spending on the new stadium has perhaps limited the ability of the club to compete and spend in the transfer market, a possibility that draws comparisons to their North London rivals, Arsenal, who underwent the same period of transition when building the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have moved to fully back coach Jurgen Klopp in the summer transfer window. A fourth-place league finish last term was coupled with an appearance in the Champions League final and there exists a real belief around the club that they now have the quality, and perhaps crucially, the experience to compete at the highest level. The signings in the summer of Alisson and Fabinho have given depth and quality to the squad with Guinean international midfielder Naby Keita also arriving on a pre-arranged transfer. Now Liverpool have the feel of a team to be feared.
Team News
The first thing to note from the selected teams came in the orientation of the defensive line for Spurs who chose to line up with a back four that saw Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen selected centrally with no place for the Colombian international Davinson Sanchez. Eric Dier was selected to solidify the base of the midfield whilst Harry Kane continued in attack despite his struggles so far this term.
Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool came into this match with one eye on their upcoming Champions League match with PSG and whilst the defensive and attacking units remained unchanged there was rotation in midfield. England international Jordan Henderson dropped down to the bench with Naby Keita coming back in having been rested in the last league outing. This saw Klopp continue to utilise the Dutch international Georginio Wijnaldum as the organising midfielder, the 6.
Subscribe To TFA To Unlock All Posts - Free 7 Day Trial
Login if you have a TFA subscription
Try TFA Free For 7 Days
Gain access to all of TFA's premium contents.
More than 12,000+ articles.
Subscribe To TFA To Unlock All Posts - Free 7 Day Trial
Try TFA Free For 7 Days
Gain access to all of TFA's premium contents.More than 12,000+ articles.
