(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) / (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has shed light on the tactical approach that guided the Reds to their emphatic victory over Tottenham Hotspur yesterday.
The Reds were on fire as they scored 6 goals against Ange Postecoglou’s side to extend their lead at the top of the table.
They took the lead in the 23rd minute when Luis Díaz headed a precise cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold past the goalkeeper. The lead was doubled 13 minutes later when Alexis Mac Allister scored from close range, exposing Spurs’ defensive lapses.
Tottenham achieved a brief revival when James Maddison produced a spectacular effort just before half-time. However, Liverpool regained their two-goal lead minutes later with Dominik Szoboszlai finishing off a well-executed counterattack to make it 3-1 at half-time.
Mohamed Salah added two quick goals in the second half to put Liverpool out of sight with a score of 5-1. Despite late goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke, the Reds sealed the victory with Diaz’s second goal in the final minutes.
Ryan Gravenberch reveals Liverpool targeted the right side of Spurs defense
The majority of the goals Liverpool scored came from the right side and Gravenberch later revealed that it was part of his plan to target the right side of Spurs’ defence, with Radu Dragusin seen as the weak link.
Granvenberch said LFCTV:
“Yes, we had a really good game plan, we wanted to keep them on the right side and put pressure on the right centre-back. “Sometimes it went well and other times they did well, but in the end I think we did very well.”
Radu Dragusin endured a torrid night, failing to spot Luis Diaz’s run for the first goal and losing an aerial duel to Szoboszlai for Liverpool’s third.
Radu Dragusin has had problems at Tottenham so far
The Romanian has not had the best start to his career at Tottenham. He joined them in January, choosing Spurs over Bayern Munich. However, the young centre-back initially struggled to gain playing time given the presence of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven in front of him.
With both starting defenders sidelined, the 21-year-old has been given a long career in the team, but his performances have highlighted his inexperience at the highest level.
Ange Postecoglou now faces a critical decision on how to address his team’s defensive vulnerabilities. The absence of Romero and Van de Ven has left Tottenham exposed, with makeshift pairings struggling to take on top-flight opponents such as Liverpool.
