The Reds made it five wins from five to start the new season – and sent a message to Guardiola, Mourinho and co in the process <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The Liverpool bandwagon is gathering pace.<\/p>\n
Their best start to a league season since 1990 continued as they passed their biggest examination so far. Tottenham at Wembley? Completed it, mate.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Jurgen Klopp had spoken of the Reds\u2019 last visit here, 11 months ago, and how that 4-1 defeat had acted as \u201ca wake-up call\u201d to his side. There was another one here, only it\u2019s Liverpool\u2019s rivals who should be listening to it.
They\u2019re coming.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Tottenham, a team with Premier League aspirations of their own, had hoped to provide a reality check here. Instead, we got further evidence that Liverpool are to be considered genuine contenders this season. They\u2019re winning, they\u2019re top of the league, and they\u2019re nowhere near their best yet.<\/p>\n
Their 2-1 win could and should have been more, but it will do at the start of a hectic three weeks for Klopp\u2019s men. Big tests lie ahead in three competitions over the next 23 days, but they look ready for them. They look like a proper team.<\/p>\n
Two scruffy goals did the damage here, Gini Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino finishing off untidy scrambles in the Spurs box. A neat synopsis of Liverpool\u2019s season, in many ways; not always beautiful, but mighty effective. They\u2019re doing enough, home and away.<\/p>\n
Spurs played their part here, turning in an error-strewn performance which had their supporters bewildered. Liverpool, for the most part, coped comfortably in second gear with Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and co, and then caused problem after problem when their own attacking stars were set free. The late drama provided by Erik Lamela\u2019s well-taken strike was unnecessary, but not costly.<\/p>\n
Firmino shone brightest, the Brazilian back to his best leading the line, keeping possession intelligently, working the channels and bringing others into play. How Liverpool will hope the injury which forced him off 20 minutes from time is not a bad one. Their No.9 really is irreplaceable.<\/p>\n