“The best team lost,” said Jose Mourinho. The more mischievous might be tempted to remark that normally Mourinho prefers it that way; that his gameplan is to ensure the better team is beaten. It depends upon the definition of best.
Tottenham had 24 per cent of possession at Anfield on Wednesday. A decade ago, Mourinho's 10-man Inter Milan prevailed in a Champions League semi-final against Barcelona with 24 per cent; it was a defensive masterclass, albeit from a side with a first-leg lead. Six years ago, Mourinho's Chelsea derailed Liverpool's title challenge at Anfield by winning with just 27 per cent.
Mourinho has rarely been interested in moral victories, but he had one of sorts. Tottenham registered a higher expected goals than Liverpool, 1.52 to 1.22. "The moment the post denied us the victory we deserved," wrote Mourinho on Instagram, captioning a picture of himself looking sullen.
That Steven Bergwijn missed two golden chances and Harry Kane one – the usually less prolific, Roberto Firmino scored an altogether harder header from a corner – contributed.
Tottenham were less efficient than the classic Mourinho teams. But the ultimate pragmatist has rarely consoled himself by referencing the calibre of chances created. Tottenham had ‘lost’ their four previous games on expected goals while amassing eight points; there were few complaints about injustice from Mourinho.
Instead, the biggest game of the season underlined the battle of ideas at the division’s summit. Manchester City and Liverpool are scarcely duplicate teams, with Pep Guardiola placing more of an emphasis on possession and Jurgen Klopp on passing, but there is more commonality of thought.
City could have the ball for two-thirds of games. Liverpool had it for 59.6 per cent of matches last season. Tottenham have spent more time without it than with it this season, a 48.9 percent share putting them 12th. It demands a different approach.
When the final whistle blew at Anfield, Eric Dier had made the most clearances in the division this season. That table tends to be topped by Burnley defenders or, before he left Brighton, Shane Duffy. Serge Aurier averages the most tackles per game, Toby Alderweireld the second most blocks.
While Mourinho is trying to take Klopp’s crown, Tottenham’s defenders are posing a threat to James Tarkowski’s usual, but unofficial, distinctions. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, meanwhile, produced one of the season’s more cynical acts by grabbing Firmino’s shirt; he accepted the resulting booking uncomplainingly.
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Liverpool v Tottenham player ratings
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LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6: The Brazilian’ s distribution was unusually poor. He was almost caught out by Kane after rushing from his area and misdirecting a clearance. Getty -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6: Got stranded in no-man’s land for Son’s equaliser but looked to be getting back to his best after returning from injury. Reuters -
Rhys Williams - 7: The 19-year-old got caught under the ball to allow Bergwijn an opportunity but otherwise did well against Kane. Stood tall to clear a late Spurs corner when nerves were jangling in the defence. Getty -
Fabinho - 8: There are no lingering suggestions that the Brazilian could be a weak link. He uses space and positioning as well as any central defender in the league, as Kane and Son found out. Reuters -
Andrew Robertson - 7: After a couple of sluggish performances the Scot is returning to form. He raided up the line dangerously and delivered a perfect corner for Firmino’s late winner . PA -
Jordan Henderson - 7: The captain set the tempo during Liverpool's dominant passages of play and helped the defence when needed. He never stopped running. AFP -
Georginio Wijnaldum - 7: The Dutchman was roughly treated by Tottenham early on but the fouls did not slow him down. A huge influence, driving the team forward and tracking back to stop danger. PA -
Curtis Jones - 8: The 19-year-old gets better with every game. Despite his inexperience he demanded the ball and was never scared to threaten the Tottenham defence. Reuters -
Mohamed Salah - 7: Menaced the defence all night and deserved his deflected goal. The Egyptian failed to get a good strike on the ball in a one-on-one situation in the second half but this was another fine display. EPA -
Roberto Firmino - 9: The Brazilian knitted the attack together as he so often does but he also exuded danger, something that has been missing from his game recently. A splendid headed winning goal capped a scintillating performance. Reuters -
Sadio Mane - 6: Hit the bar in the second half after a superb turn. The Senegalese was always involved in the action but was slightly below his normal levels of excellence. EPA -
TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris - 7: The Frenchman made two fine saves from Firmino and could do nothing about either Liverpool goal. His solid performance kept the defence from being overrun. Reuters -
Serge Aurier - 6: The full back found it difficult to subdue Mane and Robertson. He gifted Jones a good opportunity in a troubled first half but got better after the break. EPA -
Toby Alderweireld - 5: The Dutchman was unfortunate to deflect Salah’s shot into the net but could have done much better at blocking off Firmino before the winner. A good performance undermined by two crucial moments. AFP -
Eric Dier - 6: The Englishman was good in the air and strong with his blocks and tackles. His passing was substandard considering how often he has been deployed as a midfielder. AFP -
Ben Davies - 5: The Welshman is a solid defender but the downside is he provides little as an attacking outlet. He was pinned back by Salah. AP -
Moussa Sissoko - 4: Tried to slow Wijnaldum down by kicking the Dutchman twice in the same incident early on. It did not work. The Frenchman’s lack of mobility was exposed by Liverpool’s swift passing game. AP -
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - 5: The Dane needed to be more dynamic to challenge the Liverpool midfield. His passing was poor and he was rarely quick enough to the ball. AP -
Steven Bergwijn - 3: Carved out a good chance early in the second half and was unable to hit the target. The Dutchman later hit the post. With better finishing he could have won the game for Spurs. Withdrawn for Lucas Moura with 14 minutes left. AP -
Giovani Lo Celso - 5: The Argentinian produced a beautiful ball to set Son free for the equaliser but did not enjoy it when his team were under the cosh. He was less influential than expected and was replaced by Moura just before the hour. AFP -
Son Heung-min - 8: Fantastic pace and finish for the goal. The South Korean’s intelligent running and quickness were impressive and he set up the chance when Bergwijn hit the post. Replaced by Alli with three minutes left. AFP -
Harry Kane - 5: Not a night the England captain will remember. He fluffed one of the best chances of the game with a misplaced header and slipped when in a position to score late on. EPA -
SUBS: Lucas Moura - 4: Replaced Lo Celso just before the hour. The Brazilian appeared unsure about his role, especially when Liverpool camped out around the Tottenham area in the closing minutes. EPA -
Sergio Reguilon - 6: Joined the game in the 76th minute for Bergwijn when Spurs had one eye on protecting the draw. Doubled up with Davies to ensure Salah did not get a late chance. Reuters -
Dele Alli - 5: On for Son in the 87th minute. Committed a foul and was then fouled himself, stopping a potentially dangerous run. Given no time to influence the action. AFP
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Mourinho’s critics could deem Tottenham’s defeat a victory for football. The Portuguese’s status as a bad loser, which prompted impish comparisons to Donald Trump, reflected the reality he could have won, that a man widely dismissed as yesterday’s manager might have topped the table today.
He borrowed from his past. Bergwijn's two shots showed he was reviving the gameplan that brought his Manchester United victory against Klopp's Liverpool: using a quick right-footer to get inside Trent Alexander-Arnold brought back memories of Marcus Rashford, who scored a brace that 2018 day.
His methods may not please, but there was evidence of the analytical brain he has used to forensically dissect opponents. Recalling Giovani Lo Celso brought back the passer who opened up Liverpool with the pass for Son Heung-min's equaliser. Switching to 4-4-1-1 meant Moussa Sissoko moved to the right to use his formidable engine against the overlapping Andrew Robertson.
For Mourinho, righteousness comes not from beauty but from duty. Tottenham showed determination and concentration (until, fatefully, they let Firmino free in the box). A safety-first strategy was working. They had the efficiency to turn their limited time on the ball into four clear opportunities.
Despite what Mourinho thought, the “best team won,” as Alexander-Arnold responded on Instagram. But, within Mourinho’s parameters, Spurs might yet prove to be the best over the season.
