Player ratings: Spurs 1-3 Liverpool
BOOM!! That’s more like it. After a number of weeks toiling in the form wilderness, we were back to something approaching our best last night. Let’s see how the lads got on.
Alisson (7) – Will have been as relieved as the rest of us to see Son’s early strike disallowed for offside. Nothing he could do for the goal but played the sweeper role well as always and solid handling when dealing with crosses. Was probably anticipating a busier night than he had.
TAA (9) – Started in a similar fashion to what we’ve seen from him in recent weeks but when his shot hit the back of the net, it was as if the curse was lifted and the transformation was almost immediate. Suddenly his passing was inventive and incisive once more, his crosses dangerous and even a bit of dribbling thrown in. Basically, the Trent we all know and love. A goal and an assist to go along with his vastly improved display, is enough to earn him this week’s McMOTM.
Matip (8) – Arguably our best player first half, his one v one defending is nothing short of superb. Alas however, as per usual, he’s injured again and by all accounts, this one is serious. Looks set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines. Gutted but can’t say I’m surprised.
Henderson (8) – Really solid display at CB from the skipper. Hendo has become such a rounded footballer these days, he can play almost anywhere. If he has to persist at CB for a while, he’s bound to make mistakes but if he can maintain close the the level we saw from him last night in the position, he’ll do just fine. We do miss him in midfield though.
Robertson (7) – It was clearly Spurs tactic to target Trent’s side when attacking, so much so that Robbo could’ve had his slippers on first half. More involved second half as he scrapped for everything at both ends of the pitch.
Wijnaldum (8) – Much like Hendo, Gini is such an intelligent, rounded footballer. Playing as a 6 yesterday and slotted into the position with minimal fuss, breaking up play and recycling possession. Tireless display.
Thiago (7.5) – I’ve been really surprised by Thiago’s combativeness in the middle of the pitch, man does he like a midfied scrap. We all wax lyrical about his passing and it is a joy to watch but the last couple of games I’ve really enjoyed watching the physical aspect of his game. Looks good is one of our 8’s as he’s better able to influence our attack. He’ll only improve the more he gets used to the team, as well as the closer we get to full strength.
Milner (7) – I’ve been calling for Milner to be brought back into the team during our poor run. Not because I think he’s better than our other players but during a tough time, with his experience you know exactly what you’re getting from Milner every game. Consummate professional, good leader, a solid 7/10 player week in, week out. Didn’t have the best first half but second half his interceptions and endless work rate helped us prevent Spurs building any kind of momentum. When Hendo and Fabinho aren’t in midfield, Milner should be in my opinion. Brings much better balance.
Salah (7) – Really unlucky to have had his goal chalked off for a nonsense handball. Caused Doherty some problems down Spurs left but still not quite razor sharp. Has become very predictable when cutting inside, needs to mix it up a bit.
Firmino (8) – Loves a game against Spurs does our Bobby and after scoring the winner in the reverse fixture at Anfield, he was at it again here with the nerve settling opener. My god did we need that goal. Looks to be finding a bit of form the last couple of games.
Mane (8.5) – Missed an absolute sitter in the opening minutes and then another shortly after and I must admit I feared the worst at that point. When we scored the opener however, you could see the weight lift off the team and we always looked likely to score again after that. Mane created the opener for Bobby before finishing the game with an instinctive finish for the killer third goal. Really pleased to see him on the scoresheet after something of a drought. Hopefully the start of a scoring streak.
Subs:
Phillips (7) – Came on at halftime for the stricken Matip and was immediately booked, possibly before he’d even had a touch. Didn’t let it affect him however and put in a really solid second half display. He’s a real physical presence and excellent in the air, winning a number of headers yesterday. Can probably expect more game time in the coming weeks.
Jones (6) – Brought some fresh legs to midfield.
Origi (N/A) – Convert him to CB
Klopp-watch (9) – We’ve been saying for weeks it’s up to Klopp to come up with solutions to our problems and that he did. Thiago and Gini swapping positions gave us better defensive solidity I thought, especially with Milner in the team but it also allowed Thiago greater influence in our attacking third. Finally admitted today we need to try and sign a CB but if he can keep the team playing the way we did last night, top four at the very least, shouldn’t be a problem.
Summary
Somebody mentioned on the match thread last night that when your team win and play well, it makes a genuine difference to your overall mood and I’ve definitely felt that today. Our boys were back last night and back with a boom!
The news about Matip however is troubling. The club finally accepting we need to sign a CB with just three days left in the window. You have to say it really is negligence on the clubs part to have let it get to this point. The day Virgil was injured we should have been making preparations and the minute Gomez followed suit, we should have been putting the wheels in motion to unveiling our new CB on January 1st. As it is, now we’re scrambling about and god knows what kind of panic buy/loan we’ll be able to muster with only a couple of days to get it done.
Anyway, that’s my only gripe. West ‘aaam next and the high flying hammers are in a rich vein of form, even sniffing around a top four spot. Their record against us however, both as a club and Moyes personally as a manager, is nothing short of diabolical. It’s only right then that we should remind both them and Moyes where they stand in the pecking order and put them right back in their place.
A big win last night then and what seemed like a genuine turning point form wise. Now let’s kick on from here. Walk on!
Recent Comments