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Knowing Mourinho, it was clear what his intentions were going into this match with Liverpool. He knew Liverpool was at home and as expected against a team that dominates possession, he was contented to sit back, soak in the pressure and hit them on the break, which worked to a great effect. They could have even won it if they were not so unlucky on two occasions.
Liverpool started the game brightly and dominated the game all through the first half. Mourinho has been known to sit deep and these tactics work to perfection for him. On a personal note, I don't fancy it but it gets him results as it did against others but I find it annoying.
As a player under such system, I won't feel happy with myself after the game is over because it was pressure all through, nothing to enjoy but then, we can argue that Tottenham has gotten nowhere even with their out and out tactics before now, so it is about the result for Tottenham at this stage, especially with the shot they have at the title right now.
Liverpool took the lead through Mo' Salah amidst a deflection from Eric Dier and the ever-impressive Son scored brilliantly. I totally enjoyed his goal. He has picked up amazing form under Mourinho and the team is reaping that reward right now.
I thought they have settled for a draw seeing the time tickling, until Firmino changed the dynamic of the game, scoring in the 89th minute, to the shock of Mourinho too. For a team who played defensive all through the game and were beaten in every department of the game, I don't think there should be any complaints about this loss. They were set up to fail even before they kicked the ball with this mentality and tactics.
As I said earlier, I won't be critical of Tottenham too much because this is something they have been hoping for, for a long time now and they would do anything just to achieve it and who is better to deliver that to them than Mourinho?
Tonight, the tactic worked against him as the pressure from Liverpool paid off and maybe against other high profile teams, it might work again. Liverpool deserved this, as much as it pained me to admit it.
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