Spurs got their first win over Liverpool in 11 attempts after a horror show from Dejan Lovren and Simon Mignolet gifted the London side a 2-0 lead inside 12 minutes.
The reds were not a million miles off the pace but the clear gulf was in defensive guile. Liverpool had next to none. Dejan Lovren was hauled off on the half hour - by which point Salah had clawed one goal back but Spurs would score just before half time before Mignolet flapped again to give Kane his second, and Spurs 4th in the second half.
Liverpool have now recorded two defeats in the league, admittedly against possibly two of their hardest opposition away, but the size of those defeats and the dismal defending in both games is continuing proof that Liverpool have not solved either their defensive or goalkeeping issues.
Many fans wondered if the reds failure to bring in a defender would have consequences - and ever since September 1st those consequences have been realised.
Lovren was out of his depth, firstly by playing a weird game of cat and mouse with Kane for their first goal - from a throw in for christ's sake, before Mignolet unnecessarily came out from his goal area.
The second goal, arriving in the 12th minute came from a woefully misjudged attempted header by Lovren. It sailed over his head and Kane had the freedom of the pitch. James Milner was completely outpaced by Heung-min Son who lashed in to the net.
Liverpool got one back when Henderson's cross field ball was scuffed in off the post by Mo Salah and with Lovren's departure - Gomez moved into the middle to partner Matip and Can moved to right back.
Problem under Rodgers was conceding goals. 4 out of the back 5 still Rodgers signings two years on that can’t be right.
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) 22 October 2017
Despite those farcical two opening goals from Spurs the reds were probably the better side in the first half - and the next goal looked more likely to be heading our way.
But in the 3rd minute of the 2 alloted at the end of the first half, Matip headed a cross away only for it to fall to a relatively unmarked Dele Alli who fired in underneath the reds goalkeeper.
Within 10 minutes of the second half the game was effectively over.
From a free kick on the right, Mignolet gave the shout but completely flapped at dealing with it - the ball made it's way to Kane who had an easy tap in.
4-1 and all over.
The reds spent most of the rest of the game with the ball, but the fight was over.
Liverpool fall to 9th - although the gap to 4th place remains just 3 points - but the reds will not want many more slip ups in the weeks ahead. Next up for the reds is Huddersfield at home. Liverpool have conceded just 1 at Anfield so far, but a dismal 15 on the road.
The mess we’re in is entirely Klopp’s fault. I’m no fan of FSG but Klopp has been given money and has chosen not to spend it on a decent keeper and decent centre back at the least. We are no better now than this time 2 years ago when he arrived so what is it that he has done other than entertain the media with his press conferences? He should be given a chance to sort it out but if he can’t then he should be shown the door. Two years is more than enough time to show progress. And before people bang on about cup finals and top 4, we’ll top 4 is the minimum we should be aiming for and did we win any of those cups? No!
WARD has been more than patient given he is by far the best of the 3 keepers. He comes and collects crosses W O W .
There are NO EXCUSES for Mignolet Lovren and Klopp – KLOPP CANNOT DEFEND – HE NEEDS TO BRING IN A DEFENSIVE COACH TODAY.
FSG are the real Culprits – THEY ARE MAXIMISING PROFITS AND TRYING TO SELL AT A BILLION POUNDS – They have given Klopp peanuts. FSG – GO.- you are only here to fund Boston . You have been found out. GO NOW – before all the fans work this out.
“Reds gift Spurs the points with farcical defending”…Yes…but you cannot deny that Spurs were by far the better team at the same time.