Stalemate In Debut Liverpool Game

Not the dream start Jurgen Klopp was hoping for to get his tenure at Liverpool going but certainly one he will look to for the positives.

The German’s arrival has generated a buzz around the Mersey side club and a lot was
mystery ahead of the game to Tottenham at White Hart Lane.After his first 90 minutes a lot of questions have been answered.

Tactics and Formation

Starting out with a an injury hit side which saw the likes of Benteke, Sturridge and captain Henderson all miss out Klopp set up his team in 4-2-3-1 formation which sought defensive stability.

Coming into the game against Tottenham Liverpool had failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 8 games in all competitions and for all the lack of invention in attack the solid work in defense will give Klopp a reason to be optimistic for the future.

A high pressing game spearheaded by Milner and Lucas saw Liverpool put hosts Tottenham under pressure,but for the lack of offensive awareness Lallana could have put the Reds ahead in the opening minutes.

Clearly not used to playing with such intensity Liverpool’s energy waned and Tottenham clawed back into the game.

Cameroonian youngster Clinton Njie came on midway through the first half for Nacer Chadli and immediately slotted in seamlessly into Maurico Pochetinno’s 4-3-3 set up.

His direct pace and skill unsettled the Liverpool defense and was unlucky not to have registered his name on the score sheet after a brilliant effort with the outside of his right boot was saved by Simon Mignolet.

The Liverpool defense looked wobbly but did not crumble and that will give the team confidence in their subsequent games.

Verdict

Mauricio Pochetinno will be unhappy with the wastefulness of his team as the match was there for the taking.He will however look back at the game with optimism about the future of young Delle Ali and Njie as well as a solid outing from a resurgent Kyle Walker.

In the smallest way possible Liverpool have set out to implement the high tempo and frantic soccer that Klopp has promised.

The project might be some way off baring fruits but his first 90 minutes as boss of the KOP is one that brings fresh hope to Liverpool fans.

In the end a 0-0 scoreline represents a fair reflection of proceedings.

Source: Citifmonline.com/Ghana