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| Jurgen Klopp seemed satisfied with a point against one of the Premier League's form sides |
SO much of Jurgen Klopp's first week as Liverpool manager had focused on what he does not have at his disposal that he, at least, left White Hart Lane content in his own mind at what he does not need. Magic dust.
The conversation had turned from what Liverpool's players did without the ball and on to the paucity of what they had mustered with it, when suddenly Klopp's face lit up.
"I am not sure how many games you saw like this from Adam Lallana?," said Klopp, who had almost cradled the exhausted midfielder in his arms when he was substituted.
"What do you think? I know him from Southampton and he can do 20-30 per cent more.
"Coutinho? Do you not think he can play better football than today? Of course, he can. Lucas? You don't think he can play balls on the right and left side? Of course he can. Emre Can? He can learn between running and passing.
"Milner? The complete football player, the perfect professional, a machine, everything is there. I should teach them technical aspects? This is not the biggest problem in life. We don't have to sprinkle magical dust on them - 'And now you can play football'. They know how to play.
"We just have to create a situation where it is possible to do this. There is pressure yes but it is not the biggest pressure. These guys are running for their life."
It was a bold, if not unexpected, declaration and one it would be easy to take issue with based on what transpired last season not just the start of this.
Whether Klopp really believes the sermon he espoused will become clearer during the next two transfer windows. Yet for all the focus on how Liverpool ran further than in any game this season (116km) and made more sprints (614), to immediately implement Klopp's ideas of pressing and intensity, it is quality in the final third they desperately crave.
Add a mix of Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson, Danny Ings, Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke - all injured here - to the available options and it is reasonable to assume the visitors would have managed more than a Divock Origi header on to the crossbar following Can's flick to a 10th-minute corner.
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| Simon Mignolet has kept more clean sheets [13] than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League in 20 |
Still, Klopp's over-riding task is to find the sort of balance evident in the performance delivered at Tottenham in December 2013 when Brendan Rodgers' side pulverised the hosts 5-0.
That day Liverpool married hard running with ruthlessness and were everything anyone wants them to be. He needs time of course. Here, Klopp clapped when tackles were made, whistled and twirled his arm in the air urging his players to drop back into position when possession had been turned over and was satisfied upon being informed afterwards that it was the club's first clean sheet in eight matches.
Most revealing of all, however, was how often he stood with his hand out-stretched waiting for someone to see the same pass he had spotted. Bravery is not just measured by tackles but taking risks in order to be creative.
"The most important thing is for the players to be prepared to be a little bit wild," said Klopp. To further the point, Tottenham may have been out-run for the first time this campaign but had the better chances.
Simon Mignolet expertly denied substitute Clinton Njie and Harry Kane twice, while the excellent Mamadou Sakho cleared off the line from Dele Alli.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino stripped everything back, saying he saw a Liverpool team benefiting from the effect of a new manager rather than simply Klopp himself.
"If you have the opportunity to see the game Arsenal versus Liverpool, it was the same high tempo that Liverpool played under Brendan Rodgers," he said. "We need to be fair, I think the work and the job of Brendan Rodgers was fantastic. It was an exciting game because the players were over-motivated with a new manager, his first game. This is football."
Tottenham, unbeaten in the league since the opening day but drawing too often, may regard this as an opportunity missed. The day when Klopp says the same will be a further indication of progress.
Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Lloris 7, Walker 6, Alderweireld 7, Vertonghen 7, Rose 6; Dembele 8, Alli 6; Lamela 6 (Townsend 87), Eriksen 7, Chadli 5 (Njie 11 7); Kane 7. Booked: Lamela
Next Up: Anderlecht (A) Europa League Thurs.
Liverpool (4-3-2-1): Mignolet 8, Clyne 6, Skrtel 6, Sakho 8, Moreno 7; Milner 6, Lucas 6, Can 6; Lallana 7 (Allen 81), Coutinho 6 (Ibe 87); Origi 6. Booked: Milner, Lucas.
Next Up: Rubin Kazan (h) Europa League Thurs.
Referee: C Pawson (South Yorkshire).
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