[ad_1]
I would have thought Liverpool opponents would have already learned it.
There might only be 2,000 Reds fans inside Anfield, but the murmur could still be heard moments before Wednesday night’s kickoff.
Tottenham, desperate for an advantage, was employing an old trick with Liverpool.
Alisson Becker trotted slowly away from the Kop, while the opposite number Hugo Lloris walked towards him.
It soon became clear that Tottenham had won the draw.
A small victory for the Londoners, but Liverpool would ultimately prevail 2-1 thanks to Roberto Firmino’s spectacular goal in the 90th minute that left them three points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Tottenham’s efforts to destabilize the Reds served as a reminder of the mistake rival clubs continue to make.
Yes, tradition dictates that Liverpool would be long before kicking towards the Kop in the second half.
But it seems like ending the game by attacking Anfield Road End doesn’t make any difference to Liverpool these days.
Statistics show that it has been more than six years since Liverpool last lost a home game when they were asked to kick towards the Kop in the first half.
Get the latest news on injuries and Liverpool teams as Klopp faces the selection dilemma, plus the latest news and analysis of what’s next for the Reds.
You’ll also get the latest talk and transfer analysis delivered right to your inbox every day with our FREE email newsletter.
Register here, it only takes a few seconds!
Leicester City, Arsenal, Newcastle United and, in the FA Cup, Everton were defeated last season after winning the draw.
In 2018/19 it happened four times, with West Ham United, Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle and Wolverhampton Wanderers all defeated.
The previous season, Manchester City were defeated in both the Champions League quarter-finals and the Premier League. Brighton and Hove Albion were beaten 4-0 on the final day, although Burnley and Tottenham at least won draws.
In 2016/17, Stoke City and Middlesbrough were defeated in the Premier League after winning the draw, while West Ham United and Chelsea took a point.
And in 2015/16 there was a similar return, with Villarreal defeated 3-0 in the Europa League semifinal, Everton defeated 4-0 in the League and Bournemouth defeated 1-0. Sunderland and Newcastle secured draws 2-2.
Indeed, you have to go back to the beginning of the 2014/15 campaign to when Liverpool last lost a home game by attacking Kop in the first 45 minutes.
Blackburn Rovers endured a goalless draw in the FA Cup, while Burnley, Tottenham and West Ham were defeated.
So who is the last team to beat Liverpool at Anfield having also won the draw?
It’s Real Madrid, who won 3-0 in their visit to the Champions League group in October 2014.
At least with the three goals in the first half, the Kop were saved from seeing up close the ignominious defeat, Liverpool’s heaviest at home in European competition.
Of course, since Anfield has become a stronghold under Klopp (it’s now 66 Premier League matches unbeaten at home), the direction in which they start the game has become somewhat immaterial.
But it has been clear for some time that winning the draw is not the advantage visiting teams hope it will be.
[ad_2]
