Liverpool Show 10-Month Progression Under Jurgen Klopp in Tottenham Hotspur Draw

WHITE HART LANE, London — Returning to the stage of his first outing as Liverpool manager for a Saturday lunchtime kickoff, Jurgen Klopp was looking for progress from a side that very much remains in its fledgling stage. But as they sealed a 1-1 draw away to Tottenham Hotspur, the Reds showed sure signs of progress.

With both Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino famed for their demanding brand of high-pressing football, it proved to be a hard-fought clash, with few clear-cut chances shared between the two sides over the course of the 90 minutes.

But with James Milner converting a penalty on the stroke of half-time, after Roberto Firmino was felled in the Spurs box, Liverpool gained control at the interval.

This saw them dominate for much of the second half, but a powerful drive from Spurs left-back Danny Rose, followed up by a change in momentum for the home side, allowed Pochettino’s side to seal a valuable home draw.

Liverpool took one point from their last trip to north London, too, but as the likes of Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and summer signing Sadio Mane interchanged brilliantly in the attacking third, there were clear differences in both approach and output from Klopp’s side.

Just under 10 months on from Klopp’s debut as Reds manager, there were real encouraging signs, as Milner’s spot-kick earned Liverpool’s fourth point of the 2016/17 campaign, boosting the Reds up the Premier League table.

As throughout 2016/17 so far, Klopp lined his side up in a 4-3-3 formation, with this new-look set-up employed during pre-season to ensure slickness and fluidity—particularly with the considerable demands on German’s three-man midfield.

Simon Mignolet kept his place in goal with summer signing Loris Karius still recovering from a broken hand, leaving Alex Manninger to occupy the role of back-up stopper; Caoimhin Kelleher, the Reds’ 17-year-old Irish academy goalkeeper, travelled with the squad to gain more invaluable experience.

In defence, Joel Matip made his Premier League debut following a free transfer from Schalke 04 this summer, with the Cameroonian joined by Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren and Milner at left-back.

Jordan Henderson captained the Reds from midfield, flanked by Georginio Wijnaldum and Adam Lallana in Klopp’s crucial box-to-box roles, with this trio tasked with providing a balance of industry and attacking flair.

Klopp left both Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi on the substitutes’ bench, while Danny Ings travelled to north London but remained out of the 18-man squad, as Firmino was preferred up front, supported by Coutinho and £30 million winger Mane.

Just under 10 months on from Liverpool’s last trip to White Hart Lane, Klopp’s side was near …

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