Harry Kane capitalised on another defensive horror show from Liverpool by scoring twice for Tottenham in a ruthless 4-1 victory.
Dejan Lovren was substituted after just 31 minutes at Wembley but he was not the only one guilty of kamikaze defending, with Simon Mignolet and Joel Matip both major contributors to Spurs’ goal flurry.
Kane and Son Heung-min took full advantage with an early double before Mohamed Salah pulled one back for Liverpool. Dele Alli and Kane, however, struck either side of half-time to put the result beyond doubt.
Here, we look at two key protagonists and analyse the performances Kane and Philippe Coutinho.
Goals – 2
Assists – 1
Shots – 7
Shots on target – 2
Touches – 35
Passes – 13
Key passes – 1
Dribbles – 3
Harry Kane celebrates his second goal
Goals – 0
Assists – 0
Shots – 2
Shots on target – 2
Touches – 78
Passes – 55
Key passes – 1
Dribbles – 4
Philippe Coutinho looks on dejected
The Harry Kane team? In truth, Spurs are much more than just Kane but it’s difficult not to laud him after performances like this one.
Credit to Mauricio Pochettino because he clearly issued instruction to target Liverpool’s weak left side and Kane led the assault.
Lovren will be and should be hammered for his display but you can’t deny the class of the England man who showed he is more than a goalscorer.
One of the most pleasing aspects of his performance wasn’t even the sublime assist for Son, or the two well taken goals he scored himself. The sight of Kane having a shot blocked and then charging back to force Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain into a bad shot was a microcosm of what he offers.
Ultimately, Kane is Tottenham, and Tottenham is Kane, the T a recurrent theme because again he displayed tenacity and technique to terrorize the visitors.
He’s rounding out his weaknesses, his all-round game elevating him into the true elite and despite having August off the goalscoring trail he’s plundered eight goals.
There will be more to come.
Harry Kane has now scored more Premier League goals (8) this season than any other player.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 22, 2017
Pole position. 🏁 pic.twitter.com/ls2WffYF79
If only Liverpool were as adept at heading out from defence as they are at butting heads with Barcelona over Coutinho.
Trying to convince the Brazilian to stay isn’t going to be helped by results like this and you can’t even place the blame of defeat on the little magician because between him and Salah they provided the sole attacking thrust.
When Salah pulled a goal back, Coutinho came to life and his growing influence was allowing the visitor’s to have a greater impact on the game as they chased an equaliser.
But the third goal before half time was a killer and it killed Coutinho’s enthusiasm. He was unlucky not to score with Lloris producing a tremendous stop to deny him in the second half.
And he tried to change the complexion of the game but the Reds were overrun in midfield and the supply line to the Brazilian largely cut off.
Kane attempts to block a Coutinho shot
4th min GOAL: Dreadful defending from Liverpool but delightful from Kane. The Spurs striker is played onside by Lovren and simply walks onto to Trippier’s chip forward, he cuts inside, lifts the ball over Mignolet then hits a left-footed shot home.
12th min ASSIST: Another shocker from Lovren as he completely mistimes his charge to meet Lloris’ long throw and Kane is clear down the right channel to slide the ball on the outside of his foot to Son who finishes in devastating fashion from 12 yards out.
56th min GOAL: You have to give credit to Kane but at the same time Liverpool’s defending is just staggeringly bad. Trippier’s free-kick from the right is flapped by Mignolet as he collides into his centre-halves and while Vertonghen’s is stunningly blocked by Firmino, Kane pokes home the rebound.
66th min CHANCE: Just pure class from Kane as he shifts gears to get past Liverpool defenders and his shot his heading in to the top corner before Gomez gets a block to it.
90th min SUB: Slight concern for Spurs fans as Kane is forced off but it appears to be nothing more than cramp.
Klopp on the second goal: "If I was involved in this situation on the pitch, then Harry (Kane) cannot get the ball."
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) October 22, 2017
24th min KEY PASS: Coutinho hounds Kane out of possession around the half-way line and Henderson’s deliciously clips the ball into Salah’s path and Lloris is glued to his line, allowing the Egyptian to bundle the ball on his weaker right-foot.
68th min CHANCE: Unbelievable save from Lloris as he shows tremendous agility to spring to his left and paw away Coutinho’s well struck curler from the edge of the box. It looked destined for the top corner.
74th min SHOT: Coutinho with another accurate strike from 25 yards out but Lloris gets a grip of the ball.
Salah & Coutinho have done what they can. This result isn't on them.
— Taintless Red (@TaintlessRed) October 22, 2017
Scored twice, grabbed an assist and tormented Liveprool all evening.
Nothing more needs to be said, to be honest.
He’s been superb since returning from injury but it was a quiet display by his standards.
In the wider picture, though, both he and Salah are the only players who can come out of the game with an semblance of dignity.
All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com
