A new strike partner for Kane
Antonio Conte really does have limited options in attack at present following a spate of injuries. Without Lucas Moura for a large chunk of the season before his return last month, Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison joined those in the treatment room in October following respective hamstring and calf issues.
Spurs' woes were compounded even further in midweek with Son Heung-min sustaining a fracture around his left eye which resulted in him needing surgery. Conte then admitted in his pre-match press conference that Lucas was struggling in training and that he had asked the Brazilian to try and make himself available.
Perhaps having the players to play a front three rather than a front two due to the absence of both Richarlison and Son, Conte in the end opted for two in attack as he sprung a surprise with his team selection. It was Ivan Perisic who was selected to partner Harry Kane up front, switching from his usual left wing-back position.
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Letting Trent Alexander-Arnold know he was there straight from kick-off as he barged into him, the Croat wasn't far away at all from finding the net 15 minutes into the contest with his header from Kane's cross hitting the post. He was certainly enjoying his battle against the Liverpool right-back and made life very difficult for him as he bullied the England international at times, notably ten minutes before the break as he barged past him and won a free-kick.
Fans make feelings known to duo
Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg have made a huge impression on the pitch for Tottenham this season. Forming a very good partnership from February onwards following the former's move to the club from Juventus, the duo have really kicked on this campaign and added goals to their game.
The goals have been extremely important as well, with Bentancur netting important late strikes against Sporting and Bournemouth, while Hojbjerg scored the winner deep into stoppage time at Marseille during the week. Certainly both contenders for Tottenham's Player of the Year award as things stand, supporters made their feelings clear to both ahead of kick-off when their names were read out.
Both were given rousing receptions, with Bentancur's in particular incredibly loud. Kane and Son are the two players who usually get the loudest cheers but they may have some competition now.
Consistency needed
Falling behind early on to Mohamed Salah's low strike, Tottenham were adamant they should have had a penalty not too long after. Competing for the ball with Alexander-Arnold, Ryan Sessegnon was sent flying to the ground after the Liverpool right-back pushed him.
The push was extremely blatant and all connected with Tottenham called on referee Andrew Madley to point to the spot. That wasn't the case, however, as the official waved play on as Spurs players surrounded him.
A short pause did take place so VAR could take a second look at the incident, only for those at Stockley Park to deem it not to be a foul either. Something Conte will certainly mention in his post-match press conference, plenty of Tottenham fans pointed to Joao Cancelo's red card for Man City against Fulham on Saturday for a similar challenge.
The Cottagers were awarded a penalty for the full-back's push on Harry Wilson, with the player also dismissed as he was last man. As is always the case with big VAR calls, consistency is what everyone is crying out for.
Kulusevski impact
Kulusevski has been a major miss for Tottenham since injuring his hamstring on Sweden international duty back in September. Missing 11 games in the process as he tried to work his way back to fitness, Spurs have just not looked the same in the final third with the team desperate for the spark he brings going forward.
Receiving a huge cheer when he went to warm up down the touchline on the hour, it wasn't long before Conte introduced the Swede and Matt Doherty. Their impact was immediate as the pair combined for Kane's brilliant finish in the box.
Doherty and Kulusevski had formed a very good understanding in the final few months of last season and it was like they had never been away. Kulusevski's introduction gave everyone a huge lift inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and his big say on the game seconds after coming on highlighted just how big a miss he has been over the past month or so.
Conte fumes at Lijnders
Back on the touchline after watching on from the stands on Tuesday evening in Marseille, Conte was extremely animated as usual. Hyped up even more following Kane's strike which handed Spurs a lifeline, it wouldn't be long at all until he was in the book.
Liverpool were keen to slow the game down when they had a throw down Tottenham's right, with Andy Robertson showing no signs of moving for the ball when Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders was in the technical area holding it out. In the end Spurs assistant Cristian Stellini had to grab a different ball and throw it to the Scotland international to ensure the game got back underway.
Conte was not impressed by Liverpool's tactics at all and dashed over to their technical area and smashed the ball out of Lijnders' hand, thus resulting in him receiving a yellow card. The boss wasn't the only one who was unhappy towards the end of the game as director of football Fabio Paratici could be seen remonstrating with the fourth official at the full-time whistle when he headed down the tunnel.
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