Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp finally got the trademark fist-pump out again after they survived a belated Tottenham siege to enjoy the luxury of back-to-back victories.
Klopp’s team were living on their nerves in the closing stages of Sunday’s 2-1 win, the first on their travels in the league this season, but the post-match celebrations with manager and players in front of Liverpool’s fans was a demonstration of the importance of these three points.
Victory over Napoli in the Champions League was satisfying as it was against one of Europe’s in-form teams and helped staunch the wounds of successive league defeats at struggling Nottingham Forest then to Leeds United at Anfield.
Some of the real Liverpool stood up against Napoli, although it was within the context of what was effectively a dead rubber with the group placings already decided barring a remarkable turnaround.
Liverpool’s victory at Spurs carried greater weight as it was against opponents who proved a problem last season, their late draw at Anfield crucial in the final reckoning as Manchester City won the title by one point on the concluding day of the season.
And with Arsenal and Manchester City threatening to open up a gap at the top of the table, this may prove a vital win as the battle for top four places develops after the World Cup break.
The key for Klopp and Liverpool now is consistency. The real Liverpool must not just stand up occasionally. They must appear on a regular basis, and this has been beyond them this season. [BBC]