Liverpool 4-2 Tottenham: Player ratings as Reds maintain slim Premier League title hopes after entertaining six-goal affair | OneFootball

Liverpool sought a return to successful ways in the Premier League against Tottenham.

Jurgen Klopp’s men’s championship dreams have suffered in recent weeks, and today, nothing but victory was required, or they will leave the race.

As for Tottenham, they’re currently locked in a battle with Aston Villa for the coveted fourth spot that guarantees participation in next season’s Champions League.

Brighton’s win over Villa earlier in the day boosted Spurs; however, they could not cash in as Liverpool ran out 4-2 winners. With all eyes on Mohamed Salah, the club’s talisman put them in front before Andy Robertson effectively sealed all three points on the stroke of half-time. Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott netted soon into the second half to compound further misery on their visitors from London.

Coming off the bench, Richarlison pulled one back for Spurs before Son Heung-Min halved the deficit; in doing so, he’s now scored in each of his last five Premier League games against Liverpool, becoming just the second player in competition history to manage that after Jamie Vardy, but it was too late.

As the dust begins to settle, here is how the players rated at Anfield:

Liverpool

Alisson – 6 – It has been a while since the world’s best goalkeeper kept a clean sheet, and that wait continues after Richarlison’s consolation.

Andy Robertson – 7.5 – Has regained his form and is now back to marauding down the Reds’ left flank, creating numerous attacking opportunities for Klopp’s team before doubling their lead.

Virgil van Dijk – 8 – The colossal from Breda guarded Liverpool’s back four, thwarting any threat from Spurs in another stellar display.

Jarell Quansah – 7 – This is the promising young centre-back’s eleventh Premier League start this season. He put in another standout performance.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7.5 – Playing in a hybrid role, Alexander-Arnold coped well against Johnson. His immaculate long-range passing often tested Spurs.

Alexis Mac Allister – 7 – The mercurial Argentine often found himself in acres of space and was the driving force behind Liverpool’s positive build-up play.

Wataru Endo – 7 – During their first meeting at the Reds training ground, Jurgen Klopp told Endo they needed him. Based on today’s evidence, you can see why the Japanese international has effortlessly followed in Fabinho’s footsteps.

Harvey Elliott – 9 – A string of impressive performances off the bench has earned him a second consecutive start. You couldn’t fault his commitment today, whether he was closing down or getting into good positions to challenge Tottenham’s defence (five chances created, one goal and one assist).

Luis Díaz  – 7.5 – In yet another impressive performance, he showcased his typical style of play—high-pressing, mobile, and energetic.

Cody Gakpo – 8.5 – Despite his decent-ish numbers heading into the game, the Dutch forward appeared eager to prove himself. He produced the cross for Salah’s opener before nodding home Liverpool’s third.

Mohamed Salah – 8 – Following a highly publicized disagreement with manager Jurgen Klopp, the Egyptian forward was all business today, putting the Reds in front with a back-post header.

Substitutes:

Joe Gomez (for Robertson 64) – 5.5 – Pulled off a neat piece of last-man defending to deny Johnson late on.

Stefan Bajcetic (for Endo 64) – 5 – A warm reception for the midfielder who returned from a long-term injury.

Ryan Gravenberch (for Mac Allister 75) – N/A – A late sub.

Darwin Núñez (for Díaz 75) – N/A – A late sub.

Dominik Szoboszlai (for NAME 84) – N/A – A late sub.

Tottenham

Guglielmo Vicario – 4.5 – He will be frustrated to have conceded twice before half-time again. The weak palm into Robertson’s feet hurt the most.

Emerson Royal – 4 – Struggled with Salah and Elliott operating in his area. He would likely not have made it to Tottenham’s squad if certain left-back options had been available.

Micky van de Ven – 5 – The speedster had to use every fibre of his athleticism to deal with Liverpool’s attacking carousel.

Cristian Romero – 6 – After losing the NLD derby, Ange Postecoglou pointed out Romero as someone his teammates can admire. The combative Argentine centre-back was again ready for the battle, making an important goal-line clearance.

Pedro Porro – 5 – Usually a consistent and constant presence down Tottenham’s right flank, the hosts grounded the flying Portuguese full-back.

Rodrigo Bentancur – 4.5 – Today, the Uruguayan midfielder was not meeting his usual standards. Despite being typically energetic, he seemed to be having an off day.

Pape Sarr – 5.5 – Brought some much-needed aggression to Tottenham’s midfield, exemplified in his tussle with Endo.

Yves Bissouma – 6 – Although a calming presence in the middle third of the pitch, Bissouma had little significant influence on the game.

Brennan Johnson – 6.5 – Despite having ample possession, the Welshman struggled to assert himself in the game, particularly against Alexander-Arnold, who often occupied the same space.

Son Heung-Min – 7 – Before today, only Hugo Lloris (361) and Harry Kane (317) had played 300 times in the Premier League for Spurs, and Son undoubtedly wanted to mark the occasion positively. He did, but his late effort was a footnote in this game.

Dejan Kulusevski – 5 – He never stopped demanding the ball and pushing Tottenham forward, but the Swede often found himself slamming into a brick wall.

Oliver Skipp (for Royal 61) – 6 – Played a crucial role in the build-up to Spurs’ second.

Richarlison (for Bentancur 61) – 6.5 – His goal was the 190th scored in this fixture’s history in the Premier League, making it the fixture with the joint-most strikes ever netted alongside Arsenal v Liverpool.

James Maddison (for Kulusevski 61) – 5 – Entered the fray to provide some creativity for Spurs, but as the game became more hectic, he was seldom involved.