'Spurs v Liverpool: It's a game of one half'

The first half in the 2-1 home loss to Liverpool was not as pitiful as Spurs have been in recent games, but it was still like watching a band play their new album before breaking into a greatest hits set.

Despite a couple of woeful final balls, the second half was urgent, exciting - and won by the home team.

Much of the fun came from excellent deliveries from Ivan Perisic, of whom a lot was asked, stepping up to partner Harry Kane up front in the absence of the injured Son Heung-Min.

The real spark was the returning Dejan Kulusevski, who came on and set up Kane for his 70th-minute goal. 

But, by then, getting anything out of the game was already a long shot.

In the opening exchanges there were flashes of danger from Liverpool, with Darwin Nunez looking dangerous, shooting wide.

After 10 minutes, he turned provider, laying the ball across the box for Mohammed Salah to control and score. Too easy for the visitors.

Spurs were not appalling.

Perisic hit the woodwork from a Kane cross, and Alexander Arnold was perhaps lucky when VAR did not take a look at a shove in Sessegnon's back.

But before half time Salah was in again to dink over Lloris, after an Eric Dier error.

With a two-goal deficit, Antonio Conte pressed the accelerator for the second half.

Pressure, possession, urgency - just 'class' short of everything the fans would have wanted.

Perisic hit the woodwork again after a Ryan Sessegnon lay-off, and then the wing-back saw an effort for the top corner sail wide.

The endeavour was rewarded when the returning Kulusevski put in Kane, who swept in low from a difficult angle.

Spurs ramped up the pressure and Lenglet had a glorious chance to equalise from Perisic's corner, but his header flew over.

It wasn't all Spurs, Nunez hitting the woodwork himself, but there was momentum and hope for the home side.

All the bluster, though, was not enough and Liverpool took three points. 

Ivan Perisic was wondering what more he could do. (Image: Adam Davy/PA)

The striker problem

The striker problem for Spurs in recent years has been: Where do the goals come from when Kane's injured? 

This season they've invested in options, who have then been struck down with injury.

Conte opted not to start Lucas Moura, instead pushing Perisic forward. 

The return of Kulusevski could not come soon enough.

Ivan Perisic finds the post with his header. (Image: Adam Davy/PA)

Perisic up top

Rather than sitting behind Kane, Perisic started the game right next to him, a strike partnership. 

He's eager, closing down quickly and looking to create, but he's not a striker. Runs don't come naturally to him.

He did hit the woodwork twice though, and his overall intelligence is unquestionable and, after a few weak corners, his delivery was excellent. Dier, Kane and Clement Lenglet could all have done better with their chances.

He showed his fight with a brutal foot race against the vulnerable Trent Alexander Arnold.

Kulusevski returns

After 65 minutes the boss had seen enough and Kulusevski was readied after a long lay-off injured.

The ovation he received showed just how important the fans know he is to the team.

His impact was immediate - a run into the box, looking the foul, and then his next touch played Kane in to get one back.

Bissouma, Bentancur and Hojbjerg

The more minutes Yves Bissouma gets, the more comfortable he looks.

His presence gives Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg the chance to push further up the pitch. It remains to be seen whether they are the players for that more advanced position.

Harry Kane found the net, again. (Image: Adam Davy/PA)

Harry Kane is faster than he looks

In recent weeks we've seen him take players on, but he really showed his acceleration when goalkeeper Alisson dwelt on the ball to eat up some minutes. The England striker's gait is deceptive.