Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Liverpool – Player Ratings

Nine-men Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the season came crashing to an end in dramatic circumstances as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday evening.

Having lost Curtis Jones to a red card in the 26th minute, Heung-min Son put the hosts in the lead just ten minutes later with a close-range finish.

However, the Reds fought back and, just before half-time, levelled the scores through Cody Gakpo's spin and shot.

That said, Jürgen Klopp’s men’s fightback was undermined just 15 minutes into the second half when substitute Diogo Jota received the second of his two yellow cards, leaving Liverpool with an even bigger uphill battle.

Eventually, the Tottenham pressure told and Joël Matip’s own goal deep in stoppage time secured the Lilywhites an invaluable win.

Here are our player ratings from the match.

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Alisson (GK): 9

Having just gone down to ten, Alisson made a spectacular and key save from James Maddisson, catching the ball, making it look easy. At the start of the second half, he really earnt his money with two world-class saves in quick succession. First, he tipped Maddisson’s shot bound for the far corner around the post at full stretch, then he showed excellent reflexes to tip Son’s skilful half-volley over the bar. Could do nothing to stop Heung-min Son’s opener nor Joël Matip’s own goal.

Joe Gomez (RB): 7

Put in an excellent shift down the right, especially defensively. But in attack, we definitely missed the finesse of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Joël Matip (CB): 7

With Ibrahima Konaté fit again, there were question marks over his inclusion but he was excellent right until the final minute of stoppage time. Matip didn’t put a foot wrong until Pedro Porro’s low near-post cross caught him out and he ended up putting the ball in the top corner of his own goal (otherwise he would have got an 8/10).

Virgil van Dijk (CB): 7

Perhaps fortunate not to give away a penalty when the ball struck his elbow in the first half, but stepped up massively and was brilliant in his personal battles.

Andrew Robertson (LB): 7

Could have put the Reds in the lead when he pounced on Guglielmo Vicario’s saved shot from Gakpo, but the angle wasn’t kind to him. Like the rest of the defence, put in a massive shift and limited the influence of Dejan Kulusevski right until he gave the Swede too much time right at the death - and it led to Spurs’ winner.

Alexis Mac Allister (CM): 7

Was unlucky with an early volley that he dragged wide. Following the red card, Mac Allister was forced to play as a more “pure” six, and did well closing up spaces and was composed in tight areas.

Dominik Szoboszlai (CM): 8

Legs, legs, legs. As ever, the Hungarian showed an unerring ability to cover large amounts of grass and turn defence into attack in a split second. Was limited mostly to defensive work after Jones’ sending-off.

Curtis Jones (CM): 4

Had made a promising start to the game and had a good chance to put the Reds in the lead following a swift counter-attack. However, his game lasted just 25 minutes. The Scouser received his marching orders following an on-pitch VAR review for an unfortunate stamp on Yves Bissouma.

Mohamed Salah (RW): 6

The Egyptian continues to be Liverpool’s creator-in-chief, playing a key role in the side’s build-up play, whether from wide or down the middle. Found it difficult, given the circumstances, in the second half, but it was still a surprise when he was withdrawn.

Cody Gakpo (ST): 5

Having been forced onto the right wing following Jones’ red card, he nonetheless found himself in the right place at the right time to level the scores in first-half stoppage time, with his now trademark spin and shoot to give Vicario no chance. However, he had to go straight off with an injury.

Luis Díaz (LW): 7

A constant threat in the first 45. Was denied a goal by an incorrect offside decision and could have given the Reds the lead in first-half stoppage time but couldn’t quite stretch far enough to connect with Salah’s low pass across the face of goal. His influence waned after the break, understandably, and he was hooked.

Substitutes

Diogo Jota (Gakpo, 46’): 2

Was foolish, having already picked up a yellow just a minute prior, to lunge into a needless challenge after losing the ball. It ended up costing his team dearly.

Ibrahima Konaté (Gomez, 74'): 5

Sat deep in a low back five, closing off the gaps, limiting chances for Spurs.

Alexander-Arnold (Salah, 74'): 5

Was unable to work his magic on the ball, mostly because he had no players to aim at in front of him.

Wataru Endo (Luis Díaz, 74’): 5

Had the thankless task of holding the midfield as the Tottenham barrage began. Was perhaps a bit too passive.

Ryan Gravenberch (Mac Allister, 81’): 6

Was, at times, Liverpool's only out ball in the final quarter of an hour. Held it reasonably well but had zero support.