Liverpool head into the break 1–0 up against Spurs, thanks to a brilliant finish from Alexis Mac Allister.
It has been a decent first half from Liverpool, and I have to say, I’m liking what I’ve seen from Andoni Iraola’s changes.
The Liverpool manager made plenty of alterations to his starting XI, with several of the big names rested on the bench, and the team certainly looks fresher for it.
There has been more energy and movement, particularly from the younger players who have been given the opportunity to impress.
Liverpool haven’t had everything their own way, though.
Giorgi Mamardashvili has already been called upon, producing an excellent save to deny Lucas Bergvall early on.
Spurs then had another huge opportunity when Mohammed Kudus somehow missed what looked like a sitter.
Those are the moments that Liverpool have to be careful about in the second half.
At the other end, Liverpool have looked dangerous themselves, with Lewis Koumas going close to extending the lead.
And then came the moment that matters most.
Mac Allister produced an emphatic finish to put Liverpool in front.
It’s exactly why having experienced players like the Argentine in a team containing so many youngsters is important.
He provides the quality and composure while the likes of Trey Nyoni, James McConnell, Lewis Koumas and Rio Ngumoha get valuable experience around him.
Overall, I think Iraola will be pretty pleased.
The changes haven’t weakened Liverpool in the way some might have feared. If anything, they’ve injected some much-needed freshness into the team.
There is still a long way to go, and Spurs have shown enough to suggest Liverpool can’t switch off.
But at 1–0 up at half-time, with Isak, Barcola, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch all waiting on the bench, Liverpool are in a very good position.
Now the challenge is to finish the job.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
Leave a Reply