Harry Kane halved the deficit for Tottenham but it was not enough
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Mohamed Salah’s first-half double earned Liverpool a 2-1 win over Tottenham in an entertaining game in north London.
As usual, Spurs improved after the break and Harry Kane halved the deficit but the hosts came away with nothing despite dominating for long periods.
Dan Kilpatrick was at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to rate the home players...
Hugo Lloris 6
Well beaten by Salah’s smart finishes but made a smart one-handed save to deny Nunez, and was otherwise solid.
Eric Dier 4
With Spurs on top, his mistake for Salah’s second goal ultimately decided the game. Tried desperately to make amends and got forward well in the second half, twice testing Alisson.
Clement Lenglet 6
Made a couple of important interventions to deny Salah a hat-trick. Played out well but overambitious on the ball at times.
Ben Davies 6
Battled well against Salah and Roberto Firmino. Used the ball solidly, particularly in the first half when Spurs attacked mainly down the left.
Emerson Royal 5
Final ball was desperately lacking again, underlined by a wildly overhit cross in the second half. Solid defensively but is that enough?
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 7
Covered the ground and looked after the ball, helping Spurs to win the midfield battle for most of the game.
Yves Bissouma 8
Followed up his strong showing midweek with another assured display at the base of midfield, snapping into challenges, recyling the ball well and often displaying quick feet.
Rodrigo Bentancur 8
Classy and energetic as ever. The only thing missing, again, was a consistent final ball. Avoided the booking which would have ruled him out of the Leeds game next weekend.
Ryan Sessegnon 6
Had the beating of Trent Alexander-Arnold in their 50:50s and unlucky not to earn a penalty after a shove from the Liverpool wing-back. But his decision-making and final ball were disappointing.
Ivan Perisic 7
Looked up for the fight in an unfamiliar centre-forward role and twice struck the woodwork. Also looked to have the better of Alexander-Arnold when he drifted left. Set pieces were a mixed bag.
Harry Kane 8
Took his goal superbly in a display full of smart touches, movement and passes. Certainly didn’t play like the World Cup is on his mind.
Subs
Matt Doherty (Emerson 68’) 7
Helped to make the goal with the pre-assist for Kulusevski, and added quality from the right in the final 25 minutes.
Dejan Kulusevski (Sessegnon 68’) 8
Immediately added the quality Spurs have been missing in the final third with a clever and characteristic assist for Kane.
Lucas Moura (Bissouma 89’) N/A
