Mane fires Liverpool to victory against Spurs

Senegalese striker Sadio Mane scored two goals in two minutes as Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in Anfield on Saturday.

The forward put the Reds ahead in the 16th minute, and doubled the lead two minutes later, pouncing on a loose ball from close range after keeper Hugo Lloris denied Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino.

Mane, who has been involved in 15 league goals for Liverpool this season (11 goals, four assists), more than any of his team-mates, had missed seven matches with his club when he represented his country at the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

Spurs had conceded just twice in their previous five league games, but weren’t in their best on Saturday. But they remain nine points behind leaders Chelsea ahead of the Blues’ trip to Burnley on Sunday.

“We started the game very sloppy. It is difficult to understand, I am very disappointed in our first-half display. Second half we reached their level but it is really late,” Tottenham Boss Mauricio Pochettino said in a post-match conference.

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Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp, who had been under pressure since the beginning of the New Year as the team suffered some setbacks, going out of both domestic cup competitions, was excited about the victory.

“It was how we have to play against Tottenham. We had to show a reaction and it was perfect. It was an outstanding performance offensively in the first half, and defensively in the second half.

“We could have scored again. It was difficult to defend against us in the first half, we had four or five players in the area, it was like the early part of the season,” he said after the game.

Liverpool will have a 16-day break before they visit champions Leicester City on Monday, 27 February.

Tottenham on the other hand will play in the Europa League when they face Belgian side Genk in a two-legged tie either side of a FA Cup fifth-round trip to Fulham on Sunday, 19 February.

 

 

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