SPURS rallied in the second half, but ultimately became the latest victims of the Liverpool juggernaut.
The Reds took the lead in the first half when Roberto Firmino danced past debutant Tanganga in the box before lashing past Paulo Gazzaniga.
Roberto Firmino smashed home Liverpool’s winner
The game was often stretched thereafter, and Spurs did seriously threaten to equalise late on, particularly when Aurier crossed for Lo Celso… only for the Argentine to miss the target with the goal at his mercy.
Here is how SunSport’s Etienne Fermie rated each Tottenham player on the night.
PAULO GAZZANIGA – 6
Superb save to deny what had seemed a certain goal when Virgil van Dijk got on the end of Jordan Henderson’s clip. Helpless for Firmino’s opener.
SERGE AURIER – 6
Attacked well and was reasonable defensively. Produced a sumptuous cross that should have been smashed in by Lo Celso.
JAPHET TANGANGA – 7
Heroic, goal-saving block early on from Firmino. Looked comfortable on his Premier League debut, and burst forward with the ball confidently on occasion. Was bamboozled by a Firmino shimmy in the box for Liverpool’s opener, but would be harsh to blame the youngster. Asked to play at left-back late on.
Japhet Tanganga battled well on his debut
TOBY ALDERWEIRELD – 8
Brilliant, trademark diagonal to put Dele through in the first half. As usual defended his penalty area excellently, and marshalled Spurs’ back four/five as fans have come to expect.
DAVINSON SANCHEZ – 8
Is growing every week as a Spurs defender. Faced a difficult task largely against Salah in the first half, but stuck to it well. Should be starting every week for Tottenham.
DANNY ROSE – 5
Battled manfully but looked rusty having been injured recently. Touch was off at times and gave the ball away quite a lot. Had a difficult task up against Alexander-Arnold and Oxlade-Chamberlain.
DELE ALLI – 6
Wasted a good chance after being put through by an Alderweireld diagonal. Teed up a brilliant second half chance for Son.
Harry Winks gave an improved performance against the league leaders
HARRY WINKS – 7
One player for Spurs that could handle the ferocious pace of the game. An improved performance from the England international, who often seemed to revel in the pressure he was put under by Liverpool’s swarming midfield.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 4
Looked largely disinterested, with his only noticeable contributions coming when he trotted over to take set-pieces. Booed by some in the stadium when he was finally substituted. Has been a brilliant player for Spurs, it will be sad if this is the lasting memory Spurs fans have of the Dane.
Eriksen looked largely disinterested and there were scattered boos upon his substitution
LUCAS MOURA – 6
Drew plenty of fouls from Liverpool’s midfielders. Played largely centrally and looked to spring on the Reds’ defence every time he got the ball. Lashed an early second half chance wide of the near post.
SON HEUNG-MIN – 5
Wasted a good early shooting opportunity. Was largely deployed on the left-hand side, but was pretty well shackled in the main by Trent Alexander-Arnold. Spurned a sensational second half chance to equalise by ballooning over the bar.
SUBSTITUTES:
ERIK LAMELA (for Danny Rose, 69) – 7
Battled away as he always does, but couldn’t quite make anything happen. Spurs did improve after he was brought on though.
GIOVANI LO CELSO (for Christian Eriksen, 69) – 7
Fantastic tackle to start the counter that lead to Son’s fantastic chance to equalise. Showed passion and energy that Eriksen did not. Should have scored when he got on the end of Aurier’s brilliant cross.
Subs not used: Vorm, Vertonghen, Sessegnon, Dier, Skipp
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
