Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur to move themselves back into the Premier League’s top four.
Liverpool supporters were left frustrated as the January transfer window came and went without Jurgen Klopp adding any new players to his squad, and that frustration was amplified as they watched their side go through much of their worst period of form while the window was open.
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While that discontent is unlikely to be alleviated over the coming months – the Reds are now 11 points adrift of the Premier League summit having been just six off Chelsea at the start of the New Year – Saturday’s game against Tottenham should perhaps highlight to the Anfield faithful that their recruitment policy could be a lot worse.
Spurs are undoubtedly doing brilliantly once again, and under Mauricio Pochettino, you do get the feeling that plenty of silverware – perhaps including the title – is not that far away.
Tottenham’s Vincent Janssen
However, little credit for their performance this season can be placed upon the players they signed in the summer. Tottenham spent a fraction over £70 million during that window (via transfermarkt) and yet Victor Wanyama is arguably the only player to have proved his worth since his arrival at White Hart Lane.
The likes of Moussa Sissoko, Vincent Janssen and Georges-Kevin N’Koudou cost Spurs nearly £60 million but have gone on to contribute just one goal and three assists between them in the top flight this season.
Meanwhile, although Liverpool spent around the same amount in the summer (via transfermarkt), it is fair to say that their acquisitions have proved a lot more valuable to what they have achieved this season.
Joel Matip is arguably the Reds’ best defender – which, admittedly, is not saying too much currently – having arrived on a free, while their two big money signings have done a much better job of living up to their price tag than Tottenham’s expensive additions have, as Pochettino’s men now know all too well.
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane
Like the struggling Tottenham trio, Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum arrived for just under £60 million (via transfermarkt), but unlike the Spurs men, their contributions cannot be questioned.
They have scored 14 goals and contributed eight assists in the Premier League between them, and they played crucial roles in Saturday’s victory with Mane scoring twice while Wijnaldum created the first for his teammate.
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So while Liverpool fans may have been left frustrated by their lack of activity in January, and it would still not be a surprise if Tottenham finished higher than Klopp’s men this season, Reds fans just need to look at Saturday’s game as proof that their recruitment policy perhaps has greater potential than the one Spurs are currently using.
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