It wasn’t an easy game for defenders.
With some of the most effective attackers in English football on display at Anfield, the defences were always going to have to be at their best. A scoreline of 2-2 may underline the strangeness of the game, but it probably also shows how hard it was for the defenders against such top attackers.
But to say that there were no top defenders on display at Anfield would be wrong. And indeed, although Spurs were up against the pace and guile of Mohamed Salah, Jan Vertonghen was still a formidable defensive weapon.
Liverpool scored first, and they scored early. That meant they were able to sit back a little bit for the rest of the game. Of course, everyone knows that the Reds are at their best when on the front foot, and defending is hardly their forte, but without the need to throw men forward, Klopp’s side could pick their moments to attack with their famous front three.
And although Mohamed Salah managed to score twice, he didn’t get too many chances. The first goal was down to something of a comedy of errors, and a perfectly weighted – if horribly accidental – through ball from Eric Dier. The second goal was a touch of classy footwork to leave the Spurs defenders strewn on the deck.
But Vertonghen’s performance showed that he was usually in control in a game which was often frantic. This game was, at times, pure Premier League theatre, and the speed of such games rarely favours defenders. More importantly, however, these are two teams who love to press.
But the Belgian, was composed. He made four tackles and won two aerials duels – there weren’t many to actually win, of course, given the size of Liverpool’s front three and their 34% possession. And perhaps more importantly, he was good on the ball whilst everything around him was in flux.
Often, against a Klopp side, it’s when you’re in possession that you’re at your most vulnerable. Mistakes, poor touches and bad passes can lead to goals just as easily as a touch of Salah brilliance. But with 81 touches – more than all but two players on the pitch – 68 passes and 81% pass accuracy, Vertonghen was calm in possession and cool when out of it, too.
The game won’t be remembered for defensive performances. But with big games coming up, it’s good for Mauricio Pochettino and Spurs fans alike to know they can count on Vertonghen in good form at the back.
