Klopp debut ends in stalemate; Liverpool Vs Tottenham in 0-0 draw

Tottenham Hotspur’s Argentinian midfielder Erik Lamela (R) vies with Liverpool’s German midfielder Emre Can during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at White Hart Lane in north London on 17 October - AFP

AFP: Jurgen Klopp’s reign as Liverpool manager began with a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Tottenham.

Klopp’s first taste of the Premier League stole most of the attention as the English top-flight returned to action after the international break, but there were plenty of other intriguing sub-plots.

Greeted by Germany flags in the away end bearing legends like ‘Liverpool Uber Alles’, Klopp handed a league debut to 20-year-old striker Divock Origi, who hit the bar in the early stages at White Hart Lane.

But he was also indebted to goalkeeper Simon Mignolet for producing three important saves, which meant that although Liverpool have now won only once inside 90 minutes in their last 10 games, their manager was spared defeat on his first outing.

“This is not the worst sign. I hadn’t got the biggest expectations for the game as we only had three days together and Tottenham are a strong and tuned team. It could have been difficult so I’m really satisfied,” Klopp said.

Van Gaal thrilled by timely Man United win

Manchester United’s English striker Wayne Rooney (L) shoots to score their third goal under pressure from Everton’s Scottish-born Irish midfielder James McCarthy (R) during the English Premier League football match - AFP

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said his side’s clinical 3-0 victory at Everton had boosted confidence ahead of the midweek trip to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.

First-half goals from Morgan Schneiderlin and Ander Herrera and a strike by Everton old boy Wayne Rooney gave United the spoils in a one-sided Premier League contest at a Goodison Park mourning the loss of former manager Howard Kendall on Saturday.

United crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal prior to the international break and Van Gaal was thrilled by their return to form, which saw Rooney net only his second league goal of the campaign.