Tottenham and Liverpool play out frantic draw as both continue solid if unspectacular starts

Greg Lea reports from White Hart Lane as Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool contested a frantic draw in the early Premier League fixture.

The passion of both managers was transferred onto the pitch during the feisty draw between Tottenham and Liverpool. Dylan Martinez / Reuters

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Liverpool 1

Club home: Rose (72’)

Club away: Milner (43’ pen)

Man of the match: Michel Vorm (Tottenham)

WHITE HART LANE, LONDON // As predicted, Saturday's early kick-off in the Premier League was a frantic clash between two non-stop bundles of energy — and that was just the battle on the touchline.

Mauricio Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp, both permanently stationed on the edge of their respective technical areas, went through the full range of emotions at White Hart Lane, with their players encouraged, applauded and admonished, sometimes all within the space of a couple of minutes.

In the end, the two managers tried to take the positives from their sides’ 1-1 draw. “I was very pleased [with our reaction],” Pochettino said in his post-match press conference. “This game showed what we can do,” Klopp said.

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It was at this stadium where Klopp made his Liverpool bow after replacing Brendan Rodgers last October. His team started very impressively on that occasion, overwhelming Tottenham Hotspur with their energy and pinning the hosts back inside their own half for much of the first period, before fizzling out and ultimately being forced to settle for a point.

It did not take long for Liverpool to assert control this time, either. Tottenham came flying out of the traps but soon found themselves on the back foot, with Philippe Coutinho’s spurned chance in the fifth minute a sign of things to come.

Liverpool had much more of a cutting edge in the opening half, with Spurs goalkeeper Michel Vorm called into action on a number of occasions. As well as an excellent save to deny Coutinho, Vorm showed great anticipation to twice cut out through-balls to Sadio Mane, who caused problems with his sprints in behind the home side’s backline.

Liverpool also looked dangerous when attacking the space vacated by Tottenham’s adventurous full-backs Kyle Walker and Danny Rose, while their pressing in midfield and in the final third of the pitch was far more effective than the hosts.

Their lead may have been established from the penalty spot, James Milner converting after Erik Lamela had clumsily brought down Roberto Firmino, but Liverpool’s general play before the break meant they were worthy of their half-time advantage.

Things almost got even better soon after the restart, Joel Matip’s flicked header clipping the crossbar and Mane’s close-range strike ruled out for offside.

That proved to be turning point. Tottenham viewed the linesman’s flag as a lifeline, a second chance to salvage something from a match in which they had been far from their best.

They pushed on thereafter and began to fashion good opportunities for the first time, with Danny Rose grabbing the equaliser after efforts on goal from Christian Eriksen, Lamela and Toby Alderweireld.

It is now a respectable four points from a possible six in North London for Liverpool this season, with Arsenal beaten 4-3 at the Emirates Stadium two weeks ago. Sandwiched between those two trips to the capital was a disappointing defeat at Burnley, though, a game in which Klopp’s team made very little of their 80 per cent possession.

This Liverpool team certainly seems to find it easier when facing the division’s bigger sides, who are less likely to defend deep and nullify their press by hitting long balls forward.

Tottenham, meanwhile, remain unbeaten following an opening-day draw with Everton and last weekend’s win over Crystal Palace. It has been a solid rather than spectacular start, but the fact that they have ground out points despite not performing at their maximum level is encouraging.

There were certainly plus points for Pochettino and Klopp to take from this encounter, but both managers will know there is still room for improvement.

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