*Match Report originally for - http://www.bloglfc.co.uk , Would appreciate it if you guys could check it out.* Report A disappointing evening for Liverpool saw them end the match with 9 men and no points against an impressive Tottenham side who ran out as 4-0 winners. Liverpool failed to impress through out and were the second best team from the start. They failed to gain any type of a grasp on the game from the kick-off and it was Spurs that looked the most lively early on. Liverpool fielded and almost identical team to that at Stoke with Andy Carroll preferred over Dirk Kuyt. It was Spurâs new signing Emmanuel Adebayor who had the first real opportunity of the game firing wide from close range after Niko Kranjcarâs lay-off. Tottenham continued to impress and play high up the pitch with Gareth Baleâs low cross causing trouble in the Redâs box, Daniel Agger cleared the ball, unfortunately picking up an injury in the process. It was then that Spurs opened the scoring, converting their early dominance in to a goal with Luka Modric scoring with a spectacular strike. Agger who tried to continue the game despite picking up a knock was replaced after 25 minutes by new signing Sebastien Coates. Following the Daneâs injury, Liverpoolâs day got worse with Charlie Adam sent off after seeing a second yellow card for a high tackle on Scott Parker. As expected the red card meant continued domination for the hosts but Liverpool manage to hold out for the half and went in to the break 1-0 down with the hosts missing a number of opportunities to improve on their lead. Spurs started the second half how they had finished the first, coming close again with Jermain Defoe shooting wide after a great pass from his new strike partner Emmanuel Adebayor. Adebayor went close soon after after being sent through on goal down the left flank but the striker took his shot to early, resulting in his tame effort being easily collected by Pepe Reina. Liverpool who had managed to keep the score at a respectable 1-0 for most of the game saw their almost non-existant chance of getting something out of the game disappear when make-shift right back Martin Skrtel was sent off following a second yellow card after fouling Gareth Bale, reducing the Reds to 9 men. Jermain Defoe made full advantage of the space created by the lack of Red players, running through on goal after a pass by substitute Van der Vaart, firing home despite José Enriqueâs best efforts to make a last ditch tackle. That goal was soon followed by another as once again Jermain Defoe was involved, having a long range shot which saw a rare mistake from Pepe Reina parry the ball to the pouncing Adebayor who tapped home after a sublime touch to take the ball over the Spaniard. The impressive Adebayor who was awarded the Man of the Match award rubbed salt in to Liverpoolâs wounds, firing home a fourth goal in injury time to seal the win for his side. Thoughts 11, 10 or 9 men we were simply not up to the standard required today and since the start it was clear that Spurs we're going to knock a few past us in my opinion. The midfield was generally quite poor, we played some type of 4-3-3 although Suarez played more centrally than he should of, if Downing is to play on the right he needs to accommodate a more wider role on the left. This formation with Downing playing mainly on the right meant that we had almost no protection down the left flank and it was often exposed by Kyle Walker and meant that players were often drawn out of position (Lucas, Adam) and there was no structure to our midfield, allowing Spurs who have very impressive players like Parker, Modric and Bale to dominate in that department. Martin Skrtel had a 'mare up against Bale, Kenny would have expected a more defensive minded player to sit deeper and deal with him physical but he was often caught out positionally and played more as a centre back meaning Bale could exploit this pace. Today I feel that we missed Dirk Kuyt as well, for me he has to be playing. I don't care if it's instead of Henderson or Carroll but for me he would have been extremely useful today. He would have offered more security for the likes of Skrtel and would have meant Downing could have played on the left, meaning we would have played a more natural and structed midfield system. Overall we just lacked any type of control, desire and failed to press Spur's midfield at all, Charlie Adam was forced to tackle, something which he often struggles to do and as a result was sent off. Big improvements are needed in the future. With Gerrard replacing Henderson and Kuyt hopefully replacing Carroll I feel that we could play much stronger with the duo in the team.
