LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, October 22, 2017: James Milner (L) applauds the Liverpool fans at the end of the FA Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium. (Pic by Paul Marriott/Propaganda)

Tottenham 4-1 Liverpool: Player Ratings

Liverpool suffered a second humiliating Premier League loss of the season, this time at Tottenham where some shambolic defending led to a 4-1 loss.

Tottenham 4-1 Liverpool

Premier League, Wembley
October 22, 2017

Goals: Kane 4′ & 56′, Son 12′, Alli 45+3′; Salah 24′


Simon Mignolet – 3

Back in the team for league duties, the Belgian had a very poor afternoon at Wembley.

Was partly at fault for the first goal as he rushed out and needlessly lunged at Harry Kane’s feet, making it easy for the Spurs forward to score, and he flapped badly at the free-kick swung in for Spurs’ fourth.

Once again part of the gruesome threesome, with Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren, that will continually undermine Jurgen Klopp’s side making any real progress.

Joe Gomez – 5

Returning to the lineup in one of three outfield changes made by Klopp, Gomez was one of the Reds’ steadier performers at Wembley.

Did a solid job at right-back despite being let down by those directly on his inside, and did relatively well at centre-back considering he was thrown in at the deep end, making a couple of strong blocks.

Will hopefully get a run in his natural centre-back position now, with Lovren having once and for all proved himself inadequate.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 9, 2017: Liverpool's Joel Matip looks dejected as his side lose 5-0 during the FA Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Joel Matip – 3

The Cameroonian wasn’t quite as bad as his starting centre-back partner, but was still extremely poor at Wembley.

Didn’t cover himself in glory for the first goal as he failed to cover or play to the whistle, and he produced a terrible header straight back into danger for Tottenham’s killer third goal on the stroke of half-time.

Looked a bit more settled alongside Gomez, but showed again that he probably isn’t good enough to be a starting centre-back for Liverpool.

Dejan Lovren – 0

An utterly horrendous afternoon for the Croatian, whose best moment came with his humiliating withdrawal after just 30 minutes.

Abysmal on both the first and second goals as he bizarrely tried to play offside from a throw-in, before woefully misjudging a header as Kane gave him the complete runaround.

One of the worst individual performances seen in a red shirt, and one that should signal the end of his Anfield career.

Alberto Moreno – 6

It’s a testament to Moreno’s improvement that though he was in the back four, the Reds’ shambolic defensive display was little down to the Spaniard.

Showed good awareness to danger at times as he covered round well on a couple of occasions, and also showed a sensible head as he picked and chose his moments to support the attack wisely by making some good overlapping runs.

His crossing was frustratingly wayward, though.

LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, October 22, 2017: Jordan Henderson (L) applauds the fans at the end of the FA Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium. (Pic by Paul Marriott/Propaganda)

Jordan Henderson – 5.5

The captain made an immediate return to the starting XI as expected, but showed some more of the poor form that has worried fans over his suitability to the deep-lying role.

Spent too much of the game chasing the ball around heedlessly, offering no protection to the defence and doing frustratingly little productive with the ball.

Did produce an outstanding pass to set up Mohamed Salah’s goal, however, but that was about as good as it got. Disappointing lack of leadership when it was needed.

LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, October 22, 2017: Emre Can (L) Kieran Trippier (TH) during the FA Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium. (Pic by Paul Marriott/Propaganda)

Emre Can – 5

Shone in a deep-lying role against Maribor but returned to box-to-box duties at Wembley, where he was part of a non-existent midfield.

Moved to right-back in among the changes that followed Lovren’s withdrawal and was at fault for the third goal—losing the ball before conceding the free-kick from which Dele Alli scored.

Hard to be shoehorned into unfamiliar roles in his defence which boosts his mark, and will be determined to move on from a difficult afternoon.

James Milner – 4

The vice-captain deservedly kept his place after shining against Maribor, though a knee injury to Gini Wijnaldum made Klopp’s mind up for him in keeping the 31-year-old in the side.

It wasn’t a great afternoon for Milner, though, who worked hard for little reward and was part of a central unit that provided no protection to the back four.

Lacked quality on the ball and his crossing was poor.

LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, October 22, 2017: Mohamed Salah (L) runs past Hugo Lloris (TH) after scoring the first Liverpool goal during the FA Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium. (Pic by Paul Marriott/Propaganda)

Mohamed Salah – 6.5

Probably Liverpool’s best performer on the day—not that it’s saying much.

Always looked a threat with his pace and directness and finished well for his goal—even if the strike was scuffed.

To his credit he kept battling even when the game was gone, having a couple of further chances, one which perhaps he should have scored from a cutback.

Philippe Coutinho – 6

The Brazilian has been in great form since completing his full reintegration and, along with Salah, provided a second ray of positivity at Wembley.

Looked Liverpool’s biggest creative source, taking the ball under pressure as he looked to make things happen.

Was unlucky to see one effort superbly saved by Hugo Lloris.

Roberto Firmino – 4.5

Firmino showed signs of returning to his best form against Maribor, but the Brazilian didn’t build on that dazzling showing at Wembley.

Was isolated for large parts and starved of service, which led to him having to drop deep between lines and even into midfield to get on the ball, which is where Firmino’s best work came.

Withdrawn for Sturridge with the game gone.

 

Substitutes

LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, October 22, 2017: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (L) replaces Dejan Lovren (L) during the FA Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium. (Pic by Paul Marriott/Propaganda)

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (on for Lovren, 31’) – 5

Entered into the left of the front three after replacing Lovren, and came on in tough circumstances with the Reds already 2-0 down.

Showed good positivity and bravery driving with the ball on the outside on a couple of occasions, and delivered some decent crosses into the box.

Recent displays have been much more positive and it looks like he is finally beginning to settle in at Anfield.

Daniel Sturridge (on for Firmino 76′ ) – N/A

Had a thankless task coming on at 4-1. Won a free-kick but no chance to make an impact.

Marko Grujic (on for Can 83′) – N/A

No time or chance to make an impact with the game done and dusted.

 

Jurgen Klopp – 5

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 14, 2017: Liverpool's manager J¸rgen Klopp reacts during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

A disappointing afternoon for the boss, who will be sick to the back teeth of seeing his side—who have conceded the most away goals in the Premier League—defend so woefully.

Named the team most would have picked, and rightly rewarded Milner for shining against Maribor by keeping him in the XI—even if it was forced by Wijnaldum’s injury, Klopp had options to set up differently.

Showed welcome ruthlessness in withdrawing Lovren from his nightmare and trying to salvage the game which boosts his mark up—the boss can’t be blamed for the Croatian’s costly errors that put his side on the back foot.

But Klopp has to take responsibility for failing to spark any defensive improvement or improve the weak areas of his squad in the summer which continue to derail progress.


Player ratings definitions: 10 = Faultless | 9 = Excellent | 8 = Very Good | 7 = Good | 6 = Average | 5 = Below Par | 4 = Bad | 3 = Very Bad | 2 Awful | 1 = Surely Not

Make Your Ratings

More from This Is Anfield

Fan Comments