Liverpool needed that win on Saturday. Jurgen Klopp’s men were on the verge of seeing their 2016/17 season descend into chaos with anything other than a victory at home to Spurs, with the Reds heading into the tie in search of their first league win of 2017 after falling below Manchester United into sixth spot.
There were worries before a ball was kicked, but those were swept away by the end of the first 45 minutes as the Merseysiders ran riot and raced onto a two-goal lead, both coming via Sadio Mane. In truth the margin could, and perhaps should, have been greater by the end of play, but the manner of the win has eased nerves among Kopites and kicked their love affair with their Senegalese attacker to a new level.
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But, was the summer signing really Man of the Match? Well, another recruit from the 2016 off-season gave him a run for his money: Georginio Wijnaldum.
The Dutchman was at his big-game best vs. Spurs, running the match from the centre of midfield, with 50 touches of the ball and 35 passes, 89% of which were completed. On top of this, he made four tackles (more than any of his team-mates) and played in Mane for his second goal, which effectively killed off the tie.
The pacey goal-getter may have earned the headlines, but Wijnaldum justified his selection over Emre Can and really did build the midfield bedrock for a massive three points.
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