Sadio Mane returned with a vengeance as he inspired Liverpool to a 2-0 win over Tottenham.

The Senegal international opened the scoring early in the first half when he latched onto a Georginio Wijnaldum through ball before chipping over Hugo Lloris.

More was to follow just two minutes later as Mane drilled home a half-volley after Lloris kept out both Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino in swift succession.

Here were the key talking points from Anfield:

Mane restores normal service

 

Only Sadio Mane could downgrade Liverpool’s recent crisis to a mere blip.

In the space of under 20 minutes on a second start since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, Jurgen Klopp was shown exactly what his side had been missing.

The Senegal winger remains both the club’s top scorer and its current heartbeat. He also remains the key to salvaging a season which was derailed in his absence.

It is easy to dwell on what might have been if Mane had been available throughout the past month after the Reds’ campaign disintegrated.

But it is more than just goals which he brings to the table in his return. The intensity and urgency that Liverpool feel in his presence is unparalleled.

Tottenham simply could not cope with him, be it on the ball or off it.

Sticking to goalie guns vindicates Klopp

 

A changing of the guard was supposedly imminent at Anfield this week.

Jurgen Klopp had chosen to replace Simon Mignolet after one suspect performance too many since replacing Loris Karius just three months ago.

That was the theory at least, but the Liverpool manager had other ideas.

His persistence with the Belgian as his current number one was firmly repaid as Spurs failed to find a way past him throughout this encounter.

Mignolet appeared incredibly assured when collecting crosses from Mauricio Pochettino’s side and was unfazed when Son Heung-min bore down on goal.

In a game where Liverpool required a statement of intent, their goalkeeper matched that demand – and vindicated his manager in the process.

Wijnaldum is Reds’ midfield genie

 

Mignolet was not the only player that Liverpool may yet see the best of.

Georginio Wijnaldum has drifted in and out of contention this season, often in rotation with Emre Can, but firmly stake a claim with his own performance.

A threaded pass for Mane to pounce upon and open the scoring was merely the tip of the iceberg for the Dutch midfielder in this relentless showing.

He was ubiquitous and held his own against Spurs’ robust charges but added dashes of class with a heeled flick that released Lallana midway through the first half.

Brendan Rodgers prematurely described Can as a ‘Rolls Royce’ of a player; a title which has now been truly lost by the Germany international this season.

If Wijnaldum can maintain this level, he will be boasting it soon enough.

Perspective needed on Rodgers comparisons

 

Lies and damned statistics have plagued Klopp over the past seven days.

And they look set to continue as the sequence of results which saw him painted as being on par, and even marginally inferior, to Rodgers was extended.

Little separates their near-identical records as Liverpool manager after their first 55 Premier League games in charge. But the real devil lies in the detail for Klopp.

Prior to Spurs’ visit, Liverpool had scored three goals extra and conceded nine less with Rodgers at the helm than they have under the German’s tutelage.

The current Celtic boss had a safe pair of hands in Pepe Reina and the whirlwind that is Luis Suarez to call upon during that run of matches. Klopp has neither.

And therein lies the difference; Liverpool’s side has changed significantly from the one Rodgers inherited. His successor was always going to face an uphill task.