Since the start of 2013, we have seen a different Liverpool: our play looks slick and confident; we appear to have settled as a group and have been picking up results in a very domineering and clinical fashion.
And so, equally in great form Tottenham Hotspur proved a very stern test for us, and was arguably the first time this season we truly had a point to prove against a team close to us.
We began the game was the typical 4-2-3-1 that we have seen in recent months, with Suarez playing just behind Sturridge, with Coutinho and Downing on the flanks. The shape naturally transitioned to a deep 4-4-1-1 when we did not have the ball, and quickly went to a 4-4-2 when we attempted a counter-attack.
We utilized Enrique, Gerrard and – to a lesser extent – Suarez to provide the over-the-top through balls for Daniel Sturridge, who seemed to be playing off the shoulder of the Spurs defence.
The first half went well, and we dealt with Spurs very well. Spurs had most of the possession but looked toothless and out of ideas going forward. We were tight on talisman, Gareth Bale, and showed him onto his weaker foot very effectively.
Our opening goal was sublime. Apart from it being a spectacle, the goal was a vindication of our passing style and ability to work as a unit to carve the opposition open. Jose Enrique once again showed that he is arguably our best option in linking up play in the final third, as he, Coutinho and Suarez unlocked Spurs.
Spurs’ goals were disappointing; the defending of the set piece needs to be thoroughly polished and we need new ideas. Making Glen Johnson mark the far post is foolish, and it allowed Jan Vertongen to get space.
In the second half, we benefitted by some calamitous defensive errors from Spurs. Regardless of the manner of the goals, we must acknowledge Rodgers’ substitution of Joe Allen on for Coutinho early in the second half. The change altered our shape from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3, with Allen plugging the gaps in the middle, and Suarez, Downing and Sturridge playing as a fluid front three. Allen was sharp, tenacious and vital to how we changed our game plan to hurt Spurs.
We were the better team once we equalized through Stewart Downing, who showed great composure to finish off after a defensive mishap. The winner was another defensive mistake – a back-pass by Jermain Defoe was latched onto by Suarez who was brought down by Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Our captain stepped up and made no mistake.
Downing had one of his best games in a Liverpool shirt. Our number 19 has come on leaps since last season, and looks a completely different player. Downing was aggressive and alert. Moreover, he did not become anonymous when our backs were against the wall – something we see from Downing all too often.
Whilst Sturridge did have a disappointing game overall, there was around 20 minutes in the second half where he switched on and we looked very dangerous going forward. Sturridge, much like Coutinho and Suarez, has a very intuitive style of playing, making him very difficult to pin down.
Suarez too was slightly below-par, Apart from his goal, Suarez’s touch looked weighty, and his passing and link up play wasn’t as smooth as it usually is.
Lucas Leiva looks like his old self defensively, but his horizontal passes were easily telegraphed by Spurs, and we lost possession in the middle and our own half often due to him. Overall, him and Gerrard controlled the midfield well, but were greatly supplemented with the addition of Joe Allen.
We have hit a sizable degree of progress with this victory. It’s difficult to remember when Liverpool won a must-win game. More importantly, we stepped up to the plate, looked determined and gave it our everything. The tactical changes from Rodgers were once again impressive.
It was an utter joy to see a game like that, and as Liverpool fans we are slowly remembering the elation of having slightly more ups than downs.
The signs are there to see; progress has been slow, but with 9 games to go, we can look to end the season on a high.
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