Match Ratings Ratings vs Liverpool

[smallsnc]

Dembele for me. Vert was excellent at times but contributed to our early problems by under-hitting passes that were either intercepted our got to the receiver so slow that they were under pressure.

Davies was very good also. Really did look like 2 different matches comparing 1st to 2nd halves.

 

[Univarn]

2nd Half Linesman 10/10 - Love that man. Naming my 2nd kid after him.

 

[Japhet]

Dembele for me. constantly showed for the ball under pressure and ran the legs off Henderson and Milner. Was prepared to run with the ball and draw opponents in and by the later stages they were totally knackered. big shout for Vertonghen as well and Davies was absolutely fearless.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

I still haven't calmed down. When Liverpool's second went in I felt rage like none other I have felt this season, probably the angriest football has made me since Gabriel Jesus scored against us at the Etihad last season (thankfully disallowed). Luckily for us (and for Harry) the linesman was brave enough to do what was right, not what was easy, and Kane took his second chance.

A lot of good football from us today without much penetration, but we did control the game from roughly the tenth minute onwards and deserved to win. We started slow and sloppy, two players making irredeemable mistakes and their forward staying cool under pressure. Our players believed in themselves and in their instructions, continued playing the same way and got something out of the game when all seemed lost.

Credit to the manager too, he didn't bottle it in the face of tactic number one not reaping quick dividends, he had the courage of his convictions and his patience was rewarded with a good performance, a deserved point and if Harry had scored the first penalty, probably three points. Also, three substitutes came on, all three had a positive impact on the result for us.

Lloris was fine, he dealt with balls back to him well even when they weren't perfect, he couldn't do anything about goal number one and is would be very harsh to criticise him for goal number two, it was just brilliance from start to finish from Salah.

Trippier had a good game, not as good as v Man Utd but he was a constant outlet and he kept their left hand side pinned back throughout.

Sanchez had another poor game, bar United he's just been off form for a while. I like him a lot but he has had a sloppy spell and he seems to take an extra second to react every time, today it directly lead to Liverpool's opener. Maybe it's because he's just that confident in his pace, maybe it's because his anticipation just isn't great or maybe he's just not that mobile at the moment, I don't know the reason but he has to stop doing it as it exposes us every time.

Vertonghen was brilliant, where his pace lacks he used his body brilliantly to intercept runners, he won every direct duel and he played the ball out well on a number of occasions.

Davies, like Trippier, was a good outlet throughout the game and took a lot of responsibility for moving us forward. Also like Trippier, I don't remember him playing any particularly great balls into the box but his overall play was a huge part of our constant possession and dominance of the ball.

Dier was poor, too many passes straight to red shirts including a lovely through ball for Salah's first. Wasn't really tested once he went to centre back as we had so much of the ball.

Dembele was imperious, he took the ball in tight spaces constantly and drove us forward, even playing the ball down the channels on a few occasions. Good right footed shot too, I want more of that.

Eriksen grew into the game after starting on the fringes, I don't think the formation tweak helped him but the more he saw of the ball, the more dangerous we looked as he knitted things together. One of those games where you don't quite appreciate him until you see his heat map and maybe an Eriksen-cam highlights reel.

Dele got an idiotic booking for an obvious dive, that pissed me off. Other than this incident, I think he played very well, a constant threat and a positive force who spent the match trying to create something. I feel he's lost a bit of confidence in shooting, but he played Son and Kane into dangerous areas several times and kept the game flowing in the final third where so often it stagnates for us. He also dropped back to help spread play on a few occasions which I'd like to see more of, him and Eriksen sharing this duty would give us even greater variation.

Kane didn't have his best match, a lot of huff and always making himself available but one of those where it doesn't quite roll for him. This was epitomised in his first penalty, I texted my dad just before he started his run saying that he'd miss, and he did. Full credit to him though, he missed what would have been a winner, then we went behind and he stepped up to take a penalty under even more pressure to save the point, that speaks volumes about the man, as does his cool finish in the circumstances, exactly why he's hit his hundredth now in just over 3.5 full seasons.

Lamela came on and as ever buzzed in all the areas the opposition didn't want him, played a couple of nice passes and won the penalty for our eventual equaliser.

Wanyama, what a hit. He started the move with a nice dink out to Eriksen anyway and, considering how poor his shooting usually is, that was as sweet a hit as you'll ever see.

Llorente came on as our last throw of the dice and his presence to ruffle Van Dijk was vital in the build up to our second penalty.


Exhilarating game from which we deserved more, but I think we'll all take the point in the circumstances. Not our very best performance, but a good, dominant performance with tremendous character on show.

 

[mpickard2087]

Can't agree with Vertonghen. He had a shaky first half himself, and he basically walked out of the way for Salah's 2nd goal.

 

[Led's Zeppelin]

Spurs were superb 2nd half, and far more dominant than Liverpool were in the 1st in my opinion. That's why I think overall we deserved to win, but a draw is a fine result.

They did well against a team right on top of their game. Pool played the same way they did when they beat Man City, and Spurs just scared the fuck out of them even after giving them a goal start.

And despite a quiet game by his standards and a poor penalty, Harry deserves HUGE credit for the way he took that 2nd pen when you take into account all the circumstances. Not MOM,(I don't know who was, but Dele did some magnificent holding, defending and passing work) but a special mention to H for balls of steel.

Feeling proud.

 

[Marty]

Can't agree with Vertonghen. He had a shaky first half himself, and he basically walked out of the way for Salah's 2nd goal.

Yeah I'm surprised not more people here have picked up on his role in the second goal. A schoolboy error to showed Salah in on goal.

Davies and Dembele my two standouts.

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

Davies was excellent. Strong, robust and tidy

 

[bubble07]

Weird that i dont think anyone stood out. Maybe dembele

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Can't agree with Vertonghen. He had a shaky first half himself, and he basically walked out of the way for Salah's 2nd goal.

Yeah I'm surprised not more people here have picked up on his role in the second goal. A schoolboy error to showed Salah in on goal.

Davies and Dembele my two standouts.

Totally disagree on the Salah goal, when the guy is jinking in and out with that much pace and power it's almost impossible to anticipate what he's going to do next, Vertonghen guessed wrong but it was a 50-50 chance whether Salah was going to cut in or push further into the area. Sometimes you have to appreciate the brilliance of the goal, not pick apart the defensive decisions.

 

[Mr Pink]

Davies was great but his delivery could of been better at times.

Vertonghen and Dembele were very good.

Re Dembele, has he become more incisive with his passing, was much more purposeful with his passing, zipping it forward nearly at every opportunity in the second half, albeit he had space and time.

We'll never know, but if Kane scores the first pen would we of closed out the game. I think we would of, they got a clear lift when we missed.

Massive result though, a 6 pointer where we have a terrible record.

So was a bit ambivalent initially , but overall well happy given the level of that second half performance at Anfield and the wider picture regarding fourth.

When was the last time we played that well at Anfield?

 

[OPModric]

As many saying Davies, Verts and Dembele really important.

Actually thought Alli had best game of the season.

Can't understand Dier instead of Wanyama unless its fitness related.

 

[Joeyboey]

As many saying Davies, Verts and Dembele really important.

Actually thought Alli had best game of the season.

Can't understand Dier instead of Wanyama unless its fitness related.

Don't entirey agree but he was definitely good. He's not hit last seasons form but what I do like is he's not happy to be a passenger either. We carried him at times earlier this season but he's been much more aggressive and influential recently.

 

[Cravenspurs]

MOTM - Verts...he may have gotten burned on that Egyptian Messi goal, but for the most part he was imperious. He has been our best player for a couple years outside Kane IMO and I wonder why he hasn't been given the arm band a couple games. Maybe he isn't the most vocal, but his actions speak louder than words.

Great Performances: Davies and Tripps...I thought they played very well against a side that wanted to run past them and take them on. Won multiple 1v1's while backpedaling and going forward.

Great Second Halves: Dembele, Eriksen...the tactical switch of bringing Eriksen a bit deeper and pushing Dele up the pitch allowed both Dembele and Erisken the ability to find passes that cut the lines. We finally were able to get the ball up the pitch and part of this is due to their mids loosing some steam. First half we could barely connect the midfield and the attackers with Dembele, Dier, Dele.

Fought hard, but need more: Dele...I thought he was a ghost in the first half, but he covered alright. Second half he went further up the pitch and was a target for Dembele and Eriksen to pick out. Sat in holes well and allowed us to break their trap.

Poor runs: Kane, Son...the game was not suited for them for the most part as 1) the midfield was beaten to death in the first half, resulting in no service. Thought there was some chances to stretch them with Son's and Kane's running into the channels, but that was not in our midfields ability. Second half they were a bit more involved but both seem to be off the boil. Plus that big, expensive dutch defender really was a wall of a defender today.

Captain oh Captain: Lloris...I love the guy as I feel he has been a rock for us for so many years and has never kicked up a fuss. He is a great shot stopper, but feel he should have done better on both of Salah's goals. The first he needs to charge out there and make him beat him. The second, he just needs to get bigger. We all know his kicking is his weakness and I just don't get why we insist on playing out the back sometimes with him. Hoof it and win the second ball.

Bad day at the office: Sanchez, Dier...Sanchez looked shell shocked. Was weak in challenges and should have attempted a block on Salah's first goal. Was rightfully pulled. Dier was shambolic in the first half and should have never been in the midfield to start. Liverpool love pressuring mids to cough up the ball and hit a quick break. Dier can't handle the pressure and will never be able to. Once he moved back he was better, but he was also never really challenged in the second half. I don't see a future with the kid honestly and think if we can get a pretty penny for him then we can pull in a player that has footballing ability in the midfield. 50 million for Dier and I immediately spend that on Amadou Diawara.

Should have started: Hindsight is 20/20, but Vic should have been in that midfield to start. He might not be fully fit, but he showed in 20 or so minutes what he offers over Dier. There is no debate there.

A welcome addition: Lamela...I love the guy and his work rate. I don't want to see him go cause I have such a soft spot for him and he does win us games from time to time. I thought that was a penalty because that would have been a foul anywhere else on the pitch. He will be challenged by Moura though and I can see him losing some time if he doesn't start influencing the attack a bit more.

 

[wirE]

Vertonghen for me. Solid defensive work today

 

[SpursSince1980]

Sum of the parts, better than any Individual performance. Strange game, especially the last ten minutes. I thought we labored and were untidy in the first half. But, we went up a gear in the second and got something out of the game. Which is what we deserved, questionable decisions notwithstanding.

Lloris - 6 - was solid on claiming crosses and snuffing out danger. But his distribution was spotty, and I think he could have done a little bit better on Salah’s second. I thought he committed too soon by diving.

Tripps - 7 - got better as the game went on. I give credit to the lad, for making improvements defensively since the City debacle. He’s clearly been working to improve and it shows over the last two games.
Sanchez - 6 - he had a lot of shaky moments today. Which has the been the case a lot of late. But he also had a number of good moments defensively that shouldn’t be discarded.
Verts - 8 - really is having a monster season back there. So dependable at the moment. Yes, maybe he dawdled a bit in the Salah goal, but truth be told, it was a rare combination of immense skill and luck that opened up the opportunity for Salah.
Davies - 7 - not great offensively today. But he was a beast defensively I thought. It’s clear to me that he should always start against top 6 opposition. Whereas Rose should play against the bus sitters.

Dier - 5 - living on borrowed time. He is a rather pedestrian players that is neither beastly defensively or dynamic offensively. He really should invest effort into being a better cb. Today, he was one paced, pedantic and lacked focus.
Dembele - 7 - very strong game again from him. Held the ball well, and was much more progressive with passing today. And, this was his second game in a week. I'll take that to mean he is fully fit.

Son - 6 - bit of good, bit of bad. He's been a bit selfish in the eighteen yard box recently. Needs to fix that, with Lucas and Lamela both biting at the bit to play.
Eriksen - 7 - got better as the game went on. Very happy to see he is rounding out into form at this stage of the season.
Alli - 7 - yes the dive was stupid. But the rest of his game was mature today. It's amazing what a better Player he looks when he keeps things simple. Ran hard, made mostly right choices and showed that he is learning.
Kane - 6 - as others have said, looked leggy. But bravo to him for having the guts to take the second pen.

Wanyama - 7 - not sure how anyone can say with a straight face that he isnt better than Dier. Showed in fifteen minutes how much more capable he is with tackling, passing and shooting. Oh, and that tap in he scores wasn't that bad, was it?
Lamela - 7 - the guy deserves to start a game. I really don't understand what's going on behind the scenes, that he doesn't seem to be trusted to start. As when he is on the field, i feel we look like a much better team.

 

[SirNiNyHotspur]

Has to be Verts 9, considering how awful Sanchez was and Dier in 1st half he done great.
Sanchez 0 truly pathetic today
Dier pathetic 1st half so 5
Trippier wasn’t very good either 6
Thought Davies was excellent, growing on me 8
Big balls done well to step up for 2nd with all that pressure, otherwise not a great game for him 6
Lloris quite dodgy again 5
Everyone else 6 or 7 decent performances, most 4-5 1st half 8-9 2nd half so averaging out...

 

[parj]

Close between Davies and Verts for me. But Davies edges it because he bought the hunger to the team today with his early tracking. He was up for it and it's difficult to see that and not respond.

 

[Adam456]

I can't remember ever seeing Dembele play like he did second half, 5 or 6 defence splitting passes kept them under pressure for a good 35 minutes straight

I trust that the 'Dembele is finished' brigade will still find something to moan about.

Perhaps his hair needs a trim or he didn't spit enough times

 

[diamond lights]

Just remember pre-Poch when we were shipping 4 or 5 goals in these games without reply. Individual players will have good and bad days(except Verts who is Rolls Royce every week) but our collective spirit is top class.
This is a team to be proud of. Dembele my mom today.