Opinion: Five things we learned from the 2-1 loss against Liverpool

Tottenham Hotspur led inside the first minute at Anfield and protected that lead until half time, before throwing it away in the second 45.

Goals from Jordan Henderson and Mo Salah cancelled out Harry Kane’s early header, leaving Spurs with nothing to show for their away efforts.

Let’s take a look at the five things we learned from the match:

Pochettino made mistakes –

Why on Earth Poch continued to make the same mistakes throughout the game, I have no idea. I can understand why he wanted to be compact and defensive away to Liverpool, especially due to Tottenham’s recent form, but he got it all wrong today. Tucking Eriksen and Son inside, and not changing it, gave Liverpool the freedom to cross with the fullbacks all day long unchallenged. The goals were only a matter of time.

Wrong personnel –

If Pochettino wanted to play a defensive 4-5-1, he simply chose the wrong men for the job. Eriksen should have been nowhere near that starting line-up, especially considering the job he needed to do on Robertson. It should have been Sissoko on the right and Ndombele starting over the Dane. Son also should have stayed wide to break away, but also defend Trent Alexander-Arnold.

When will Aurier be dropped –

I can’t say that Tottenham deserved much from that game, but Aurier has thrown away yet another point for the Lilywhites. He seems to struggle in every game in which he is put under consistent defensive pressure and today was no different. A silly penalty to give away when Spurs were inching towards a valuable result.

Gazzaniga up to the challenge –

On a positive note, Paulo Gazzaniga was certainly up to the challenge on his first big game since Lloris’ injury. The Argentine made countless saves throughout the match to keep the scoreline respectable. His kicks also got Spurs onto the front foot a couple of times, with Gazza almost assisting Son at one point.

Danny Rose well past his best –

Rose now consistently seems to be proving that he is not up to it anymore. The England left-back was woeful today at Anfield, giving away the ball, losing track of his man again and again, and looking rash in the challenge. He may well have given away a penalty himself had Henderson not put the ball in the back of the net anyway.

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