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How Klopp and Liverpool left Tottenham in the dust from first Prem meeting

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JURGEN KLOPP is preparing for Spurs, who he faced in his first match as Liverpool boss in 2015.

Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino are still the bosses, and CHARLIE WYETT compares the team from that draw to the current crop.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has only gone one way since arriving in the Prem four years ago with a draw against Spurs
Mauricio Pochettino has seen Spurs splutter over the past year, notably failing to land a quality strike-partner for Harry Kane
Mauricio Pochettino has seen Spurs splutter over the past 12 months and he has still failed to land a quality strike-partner for Harry Kane

GOALKEEPER

One of the best decisions Klopp made was to bomb out Simon Mignolet and bring in Alisson for 67million from Roma.
Spurs have stuck with Hugo Lloris, who has been inconsistent and is out until the end of this year with an elbow injury.

DEFENCE

Klopp used Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno as full-backs.

While Clyne is still at Liverpool, sort of, they are history, and Reds duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have emerged as the best pair of full-backs in the Prem. Klopps finest piece of work was to land Virgil van Dijk from Southampton for 75m.

Kyle Walker and Danny Rose were Spurs full-backs that day.

Walker has gone while Rose remains the key man on the left but he is not the player he was.

Centre-backs Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, coming to the end of their deals, are still there and have been important.

Liverpool spending so much on Alisson shocked many people but has proved value for money
Liverpool spending 57mon Brazil keeper Alisson shocked many people but has proved value for money
Holland defender is a contender to become world player of the year, justifying the huge fee Jurgen Klopp paid Southampton
Holland defender is a contender to become world player of the year, justifying the 75m Jurgen Klopp paid Southampton

MIDFIELD

Klopps first midfield saw Emre Can and Lucas Leiva holding with Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and James Milner pushed up.

They have so many options now with a midfield three and Jordan Henderson leads by example.

Poch started Moussa Dembele with Dele Alli, Erik Lamela, Christian Eriksen and Nacer Chadli.

Now Harry Winks is a bright spark and Moussa Sissoko, while unspectacular, has a part to play.

Eriksen and Lamela are nearing the end at Spurs and it will probably be for the best when they go.

Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane form an all-time great Liverpool frontline
Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane form an all-time great Liverpool frontline, firing them to the Premier League summit

ATTACK

Klopp started with Divock Origi up front and he remains a cult hero for scoring important goals.

But current trio Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane will go down in Anfield folklore as one of the clubs most potent attacks.

Spurs talisman Harry Kane started four years ago and is still their best player.

Son Heung-Min continues to improve and Lucas Moura has had a few big moments but Spurs need another top striker.

VERDICT

On their day, Spurs can still beat Liverpool but ultimately the Reds have overtaken them in all departments thanks to good management and some successful expensive signings.

If you were going to put money on one of these winning at least one trophy this season, it would be Liverpool.

Tottenham, despite having reached the Champions League final last season, seem to be going backwards.

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