Liverpool secure three more points in the Premier League against Tottenham
An unchanged backline from the 2-2 draw against West Ham in the London Stadium took the field for Liverpool against Tottenham at Anfield. Mohamed Salah started in place of Ryan Gravenberch, putting Harvey Elliott back into the midfield trio aside Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister. Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo retained their place in the XI.
We all remember how the reverse fixture played out. In that context, with Liverpool having three points snatched from them due to the referee’s incompetence, it was very important to put up a statement and register a win in this game. And we did just that. 4-2. Get in.
Official match report here. Here are the match ratings for the Liverpool players.
Alisson Becker – 7
His biggest involvement in the game was when he blocked Brennan Johnson’s attempt on goal 10 minutes into the second half. A brilliant save to keep Son Heung-min’s [offside] shot away. Couldn’t have done much about Richarlison’s goal. A poor defensive passage of play saw him exposed for Spurs’ second goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6
Totally alright through almost all parts of the game. A bit of complacency crept in towards the end. That is the case with almost all of the backline with a four-goal lead in mind. Not the way we should have ended the game. Almost caught Vicario off his line with his 60-yard attempt.
Jarell Quansah – 6
Same as Trent. Everything was fine for most of the game, but there was a slight lapse in concentration towards the end. This seems to happen often when the backline feels comfortable with a four-goal lead. It wasn’t the ideal way to finish the game.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
Physically assertive on Tottenham’s attackers, meaning they had very few opportunities in the game but they took it well.
Andy Robertson – 8
Brilliant movement in both phases of the game from Robertson. Defensively solid, and kept Dejan Kulusevski at bay. Scored his third league goal of the season after tapping in the rebound off Guglielmo Vicario from a Salah shot. Came off at the hour-mark for Joe Gomez.
Wataru Endo – 7
Top class shift from the Samurai. Tottenham inverted their full-backs to overload the middle of the park but Endo put in the rugged tackles and intercepted passes very well. Pressed his opponents, sustained pressure very well and was A1 from the Japanese. Distribution can do with some work though. Came off at the hour-mark for Stefan Bajcetic.
Alexis Mac Allister – 7.5
Cheeky cheeky baller. Put him anywhere on the field and you will see him play those delicious passes. If there was a player who could make a simple sideways pass look out of this world, that’s Macca. His ball to Trent for Robbo’s goal was just Mamma Mia! Came off in the 75th minute for Gravenberch.
Harvey Elliott – 9
Pressing monster Pt.2, this Elliott. Brilliant few touches in the Tottenham box, linked up play between the defence and the attack very well, and often made runs that confused Tottenham fullback Emerson Royal. Only two players have more assists than him in 2024. And what about that goal? Reminiscent of Mohamed Salah against Chelsea in 2019. ABSOLUTE STUNNER. What a player. Dominik Szoboszlai came on for him in the 83rd minute. Totally worth the standing ovation.
Luis Diaz – 7
If work rate was a player. Very very good from him. Absolute menace to handle on the wing once he gets his dribbling boots on. Semi-decent output as well. Room for improvement on that front. Came off in the 75th minute for Darwin.
Cody Gakpo – 8.5
We saw the perks of starting Gakpo on the wing today. Even though he did not exclusively play on the wing but started through the middle, we saw his ability to cut in on his right and make best use of it. Wonderful assists for the opener. Did very well to find the back of the net. Amazing leap to get his head on Elliott’s lovely little inswinging cross. Home and Away against Tottenham.
Mohamed Salah – 8
Back in the starting XI and back in the goals. First goal in seven games that was not a penalty. Usual business in the early minutes of the game from Mo Salah. Did extremely well to find himself on the end of a beautiful cross from Cody Gakpo. He is the first player in Premier League history to score 10+ goals AND provide 10+ assists in three consecutive seasons. Should have made it 5-3 in the 80th minute. Amazing how he missed it.
Substitutes:
Stefan Bajcetic – 6
Came on in the 64th minute for Endo to make his first Premier League appearance of the season, and his first league appearance since May of 2023.
Joe Gomez – 6
Replaced Robbo just over the hour mark. Could have been better positioned to avoid the cross into the box for Tottenham’s goal. Put in a goal-saving clearance in the dying embers of the match.
Darwin Nunez – 6
Replaced Diaz in the 75th minute.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
Replaced Alexis in the 75th minute.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6
Replaced Harvey Elliott in the 83rd minute.
Caoimhin Kelleher, Conor Bradley, Curtis Jones, Ibrahima Konate
Unused substitutes.
