Premier League
LiverpoolLiverpool2TottenhamTottenham Hotspur0

Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

By Jonathan JurejkoBBC Sport
Sadio Mane scores Liverpool's scored
Mane has been involved in 15 league goals for Liverpool this season (11 goals, four assists), more than any of his team-mates

Sadio Mane lifted Liverpool's recent gloom by scoring twice in two first-half minutes to see off top-four rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.

The forward put the Reds ahead when he ran onto Georginio Wijnaldum's pass, holding off Ben Davies to fire in.

He doubled the lead 138 seconds later, pouncing on a loose ball from close range after keeper Hugo Lloris denied Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino.

Second-placed Spurs rarely threatened as Liverpool moved within a point.

The visitors' best chance fell to forward Son Heung-min, whose fierce, angled shot was blocked by Reds keeper Simon Mignolet shortly after Mane's second.

Spurs remain nine points behind leaders Chelsea ahead of the Blues' trip to Burnley on Sunday.

Liverpool, who had not won in their five previous matches, move back up to fourth.

My Sunday will be perfect after win - Klopp

Liverpool boosted by the Mane man

Liverpool's downturn in form since New Year coincided with the absence of Senegal forward Mane, who missed seven matches when he represented his country at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Reds managed just one win in his absence, slipping from Chelsea's nearest title challengers to fifth place and going out of both domestic cup competitions.

Here Mane, who failed to shine in last weekend's defeat at Hull City, showed just why Liverpool lamented his loss.

Mane impressed in the first half of the season following his £34m arrival from Southampton - his pace, energy and clinical finishing contributing heavily to Liverpool's success.

Without him, they struggled to break down opponents. With him, they tore apart Tottenham in the opening quarter.

Spurs could not handle the speed of thought, or the speed of movement, of the home side.

Mane - who scored the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history in two minutes and 56 seconds in May 2015 - almost came close to another quickfire treble, only to be denied again by the over-exposed Lloris.

While Spurs stemmed the tide after the break, the damage was already done.

Sadio Mane
Mane's influence in the opening 25 minutes is illustrated by this graphic showing that 50% of Liverpool's attacks came down his right flank

Analysis - 'Mane is phenomenal'

Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright on Match of the Day

"They couldn't win without him. Mane is the one with that bit of pace to get in behind and I didn't think they were doing that recently and that's because he wasn't there.

"He is phenomenal. He senses the danger. Spurs couldn't deal with him."

Spurs' struggles continue away from the Lane

While Liverpool had not won in five games, Tottenham were playing with confidence and fluency in a 15-match streak which had seen them beaten just once.

The formbook was torn up at Anfield.

Spurs had conceded just twice in their previous five league games, but were uncharacteristically porous without injured pair Danny Rose and Jan Vertonghen.

Harry Kane was isolated up front, while midfielders Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen were virtually anonymous in the opposition half.

Spurs managed just two shots on target as Reds keeper Simon Mignolet was largely untroubled, their frustration becoming evident after the break as four players picked up yellow cards.

Worryingly for boss Mauricio Pochettino, his side failed to turn up again in a potentially-pivotal trip to one of their top four rivals.

Spurs have won just twice on the road since 24 September, including defeats at Chelsea and Manchester United in addition to draws at Arsenal and Manchester City.

"We were poor. They were better. No complaints," said Pochettino.

Man of the match - Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

Ben Davies
Who else? Liverpool's two-goal hero Mane was a constant threat to the Spurs defence, giving left-back Ben Davies a particularly torrid time

Post-match reaction

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp:

"It was how we have to play against Tottenham. We had to show a reaction and it was perfect. It was an outstanding performance offensively in the first half, and defensively in the second half.

"We could have scored again. It was difficult to defend against us in the first half, we had four or five players in the area, it was like the early part of the season."

'Very poor' first half frustrates Pochettino

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino:

"We started the game very sloppy. It is difficult to understand, I am very disappointed in our first-half display. Second half we reached their level but it is really late.

"We are in a position that is up to us. But if you show like today that you cannot cope with the pressure to play to win the league than it is difficult to challenge and fight for the Premier League.

"In the first 45 minutes you saw a team that is not ready to fight for the Premier League."

Liverpool love playing Spurs at Anfield...

  • Liverpool have won more Premier League games at Anfield against Tottenham than any other current top-flight side they have faced (16 wins)
  • The Reds are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League encounters with Spurs, winning six and drawing three
  • Tottenham have conceded eight goals from open play in their last 13 Premier League games after conceding just one in their opening 12 matches of the season
  • Spurs conceded eight shots on target; their most in a first half since 2003-04
  • Spurs have failed to score in successive Premier League away games for the first time since April 2015
  • Toby Alderweireld received his first Premier League yellow card since March 2016, after a run of 26 games without a booking

What's next?

A two-week break from the Premier League for Tottenham. Pochettino's side turn their attentions back to the Europa League when they face Belgian side Gent in a two-legged tie either side of a FA Cup fifth-round trip to Fulham on Sunday, 19 February.

They return to top-flight action when Stoke City visit on Sunday, 26 February (13:30 GMT), while Liverpool have a 16-day break before they visit champions Leicester City on Monday, 27 February (20:00).

Line-ups

Liverpool

Formation 4-3-3

  • 22Mignolet
  • 2Clyne
  • 32MatipBooked at 56mins
  • 21Pezzini LeivaSubstituted forKlavanat 82'minutes
  • 7MilnerBooked at 68mins
  • 20Lallana
  • 14HendersonBooked at 53mins
  • 5Wijnaldum
  • 19ManéSubstituted forAlexander-Arnoldat 90+2'minutes
  • 11Firmino
  • 10CoutinhoSubstituted forCanat 77'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Karius
  • 15Sturridge
  • 17Klavan
  • 18Moreno
  • 23Can
  • 27Origi
  • 66Alexander-Arnold

Tottenham

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Lloris
  • 2Walker
  • 4AlderweireldBooked at 83mins
  • 15DierBooked at 78mins
  • 33Davies
  • 19DembéléSubstituted forSissokoat 77'minutes
  • 12Wanyama
  • 23EriksenSubstituted forWinksat 68'minutesBooked at 71mins
  • 20Alli
  • 7Son Heung-minBooked at 28minsSubstituted forJanssenat 82'minutes
  • 10KaneBooked at 67mins

Substitutes

  • 9Janssen
  • 13Vorm
  • 14Nkoudou
  • 16Trippier
  • 17Sissoko
  • 27Wimmer
  • 29Winks
Referee:
Anthony Taylor
Attendance:
53,159

Match Stats

Home TeamLiverpoolAway TeamTottenham
Possession
Home51%
Away49%
Shots
Home17
Away7
Shots on Target
Home9
Away2
Corners
Home10
Away3
Fouls
Home14
Away14

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Liverpool 2, Tottenham Hotspur 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Liverpool 2, Tottenham Hotspur 0.

  3. Post update

    Attempt missed. Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.

  4. Substitution

    Substitution, Liverpool. Trent Alexander-Arnold replaces Sadio Mané.

  5. Post update

    Delay over. They are ready to continue.

  6. Post update

    Delay in match Adam Lallana (Liverpool) because of an injury.

  7. Post update

    Attempt missed. Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) left footed shot from more than 40 yards on the left wing misses to the right.

  8. Post update

    Hand ball by Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool).

  9. Post update

    Attempt blocked. James Milner (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

  10. Booking

    Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  11. Post update

    Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  12. Post update

    Foul by Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur).

  13. Substitution

    Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Vincent Janssen replaces Son Heung-Min.

  14. Substitution

    Substitution, Liverpool. Ragnar Klavan replaces Lucas Leiva because of an injury.

  15. Post update

    Delay over. They are ready to continue.

  16. Post update

    Delay in match Lucas Leiva (Liverpool) because of an injury.

  17. Post update

    Foul by Emre Can (Liverpool).

  18. Post update

    Harry Winks (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  19. Booking

    Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  20. Post update

    Foul by Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur).

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As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Chelsea24192351173459
2Tottenham25148346182850
3Arsenal25155554282650
4Liverpool25147454302449
5Man City24154549292049
6Man Utd25139338211748
7Everton25118640271341
8West Brom2510783431337
9Stoke258893036-632
10West Ham2595113443-932
11Southampton2586112831-330
12Watford2586112942-1330
13Burnley2492132635-929
14Bournemouth2475123547-1226
15Middlesbrough25410111927-822
16Leicester2456132441-1721
17Swansea2463152954-2521
18Hull2555152249-2720
19Crystal Palace2554163246-1419
20Sunderland2554162446-2219
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