"Tottenham's attack still hasn't really got going. They're relying a little too much on Eriksen."
"Could this attacking system actually be limiting Tottenham's performance to some extent?"
"After all, Kane and Son are both among the top Forwards in Europe right now."
Scholes felt Tottenham should play with more courage, or perhaps more directly.
If they simply let Kane and Son use their individual talent, there might be an unexpected reward.
As the situation on the pitch continued to tilt in Liverpool's favor, Pochettino finally decided to make an adjustment.
He wanted Kane and Son Heung-min to play with more freedom.
With Pochettino giving instructions from the sideline, Tottenham's attacking approach began to change.
It was an obvious shift. Kane started frequently using his passing ability again.
Whenever Tottenham's midfielders got the ball, they no longer looked for Eriksen first. Instead, they played it out toward the left flank.
Son Heung-min drifted to the left, and Tottenham's shape changed.
In the thirty-second minute.
"Quick combination play through the middle. Eriksen has also dropped into a deeper midfield position to receive the ball. This looks a little like the deep-lying role Leo Lin used before."
Eriksen dropped back and received a teammate's pass near the edge of the penalty area. At last, he had comfortable space to pass.
He turned with the ball and immediately sent a through ball in behind.
It went straight toward Liverpool's right side, behind Arnold. In other words, Tottenham's left side, right into the path of Son Heung-min.
In a straight sprint, Son Heung-min was faster than Arnold. On top of that, he already had a body-length advantage.
Arnold had to turn before he could chase him. Son Heung-min accelerated at once, carried the ball down the left, then began to cut inside. He adjusted with his right foot and curled a shot toward the top-right corner.
This was Son Heung-min's favorite shooting method from the left.
But the bend was just a little too wide. The ball brushed past Liverpool's Goalpost and flew into the stands.
The home fans immediately rose to applaud Son Heung-min. This match was being played at Tottenham's home ground.
"Tottenham's style of play has become much more direct. A long pass from Eriksen in a deeper position nearly created a real threat."
"Tottenham's midfield and defensive setup is very clear. Two defensive center backs, two attacking full-backs, and one deep-lying Defensive Midfielder."
"Dier can also play center back, but compared with center back, he looks steadier as a Defensive Midfielder."
"Dembélé is responsible for interception and sweeping up, creating passing space for Eriksen."
Seeing that this attacking approach had produced results, Tottenham began to launch similar attacks more often.
In the fortieth minute.
"Wijnaldum carries the ball forward. He faces Dembélé and nutmegs him."
"Beautiful breakthrough. Dembélé wanted to foul him, but Wijnaldum still managed to release the ball."
"Firmino receives it and plays it left. Mané has a one-on-one chance."
Mané faced Trippier, shaped as if he were going to cross, then dragged the ball down toward the byline instead.
"He cuts back and goes past him again."
"He's moving along the byline into the box."
"That's a very bold run from Mané."
Mané carried the ball tight to the byline, where it looked as though it could be knocked out of play at any moment.
But Mané seemed to thrive on exactly this kind of knife-edge situation. He kept the ball under control and hugged the line, while Trippier struggled to defend him. Trippier did not dare commit a foul either, since this was inside the penalty area.
Tottenham's entire back line was drawn in at once. Vertonghen was ready to block Mané's shot.
Mané decisively played it back across the box.
Firmino arrived and struck it, but the shot hit Alderweireld and rebounded to the top of the penalty arc.
Eriksen once again dropped deep to receive the ball. He turned and immediately threaded a through ball forward.
Once again, it went in behind Arnold.
This time, Arnold did not lose his defensive position, but as Son Heung-min controlled the ball, he immediately used a pass-and-move touch to slip past him. With a beautiful turn, he beat Arnold.
Then he cut inside and adjusted with one step. Van Dijk was in front of him, so he did not dare continue dribbling.
Son Heung-min chose to shoot directly, trying to produce a curling wonder goal.
The arc was beautiful and genuinely dangerous, flying toward the right side of the goal.
Mignolet threw himself across with all his strength.
The ball dipped, struck the upper side-netting, and bounced out over the byline.
On the sideline, Klopp shuddered in fright.
He thought it had gone in. In reality, it had not.
"Tottenham's attacking direction has clearly been carefully planned. They're targeting Arnold's side."
"Arnold's defensive ability really isn't as strong as his attacking ability. But Son Heung-min has tried to bend it twice in a row, and neither shot had enough curve to find the net."
Son Heung-min shook his head in regret. He knew he had missed his chances.
There was not much time left in the first half. Liverpool had been hit by Tottenham on the counter twice, and Klopp looked somewhat puzzled.
The match continued as the first half approached its end.
"There's one minute left before the end of the first half."
"Liverpool have one last chance to attack."
"Robertson has the ball on the left. A big switch of play."
"Accurate. His long passing is terrifyingly precise."
"Arnold controls it on the right. Here comes the chance."
Arnold drove forward with the ball, while Salah pulled wide to create space.
Arnold did not pass. With Salah dragging defenders away, he continued carrying the ball forward, beat Danny Rose, and broke through successfully.
Just as he was about to cross, a figure appeared at the edge of his vision. Arnold immediately played a diagonal pass.
Leo Lin was there.
He stepped forward quickly, pretending to stop the ball. In reality, he let his body shift back, using the motion to cushion the ball to his left side and fool the onrushing Dier.
After a brief glance, Leo Lin adjusted with his left foot, tightened his body, and struck.
A curling shot.
The elegant arc carved a crescent through the air, rising toward the top-left corner of the goal.
Lloris dived across.
But once again, he felt the same helplessness he had felt when facing Leo Lin in the World Cup final.
"It's in!"
"Leo Lin scores with a curling shot!"
"A crescent arc. What a beautiful goal!"
"This is exactly the kind of goal Leo Lin excels at."
"Son Heung-min should watch this carefully. That is how you bend a shot!"