Real Liverpool Finally Show Up In 2017

Liverpool FC entered their pivotal clash with Tottenham on the wrong side of a streak.  The Reds had a skid of three games without a win.

Additionally, they had only won one game since the start of the calendar year.  They had looked solid in a couple of those matches, but things just were not going well by the final whistle blow.

So, it was important that Liverpool got off to a good start to get things rolling downhill instead of the usual uphill battle.  That's exactly what happened in this instance, setting Anfield alight.

It was the player that had been missing in many of those matches that got things rolling.  Sadio Mane scored in the 16th minute with a nice finish.  After a great ball from the midfield, Mane used his speed to get through on a breakaway, cut back toward his right in the penalty box and tucked it past Hugo Lloris.

That goal was enough to get us all excited about the other 74 minutes, but we did not have to wait for long for another.  It was Mane again in the 18th minute.

This time Liverpool came in force together.  A shot from the right was initially saved from Lloris.  The rebound came to the middle and the Spurs goalkeeper slid out to make another important stop.  He could not control the rebound a second time and Mane was Johnny on the Spot from the left to bang it past and into the net to make it 2-0.

Mane almost had his third only moments later.  Again coming down the right side, it appeared as though he got it through the goakeeper's legs and into the net.  Unfortunately for those watching on television, it had just hit the side netting as Lloris barely got a leg on it as it went through the wickets.

As the game went on, Spurs got their way into it a bit more.  Liverpool were a little lax on the backside and that allowed Tottenham a few chances.  You almost got the feeling a goal before the half was coming.  It never materialized.

The game settled in during the second half.  Both teams pressed forward and created a chance here or there, but overall the game had calmed down quite a bit.

Coutinho missed a decent chance in the 74th minute.  He slid it between the defender's leg, but it flashed wide of the left post.

Overall, it was an uneventful second 45.  Other than the odd chance here or there the only things hitting the radar were potential injuries.  Mane slipped on the warning track and appeared to tweak something for a moment.  After that Adam Lallana got shaken up just moments later.

In the end, the victory was attained and that is what is most important.  Liverpool needed a win and one against one of the big boys.

The Reds also temporarily jumped back into the top four.  They are currently tied in points with Manchester City, who have a game in hand.  However, Liverpool are now just one point back of the Spurs for second in the league.

It appears as though nobody will stay consistent enough to catch Chelsea.  So, staying in the top four is the key issue right now and the Reds took a nice step to keep that focus alive.

Random Thoughts:
- To see Liverpool play so well against the team currently in second in the table is actually somewhat frustrating.  It's great to see on the day, but it becomes sad that Liverpool can play so well against the top teams and have some of their worst games against the bottom feeders.

- At least the Reds can focus completely on the league right now.  The Cup competitions were a distraction and while nobody wanted them to crash out of both, the Reds have no excuses going forward.  It's league or nothing.

- As fans, we should savor the season because the summer is too long.  However, this team needs to find some depth.  I love James Milner and Lucas as players and admire their spirit for stepping into whatever role is asked of them.  However, Liverpool cannot expect to keep winning and contending if they have midfield players in defender's roles.  The Reds need players true to their position going forward.

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