A hugely disappointing home display saw Liverpool coast past Tottenham as the Lilywhites failed to replicate the impressive performances that had been witnessed in new manager Mauricio Pochettino’s opening matches. Despite Liverpool’s defence being prone to parting like the Red Sea, Spurs failed to properly test Simon Mignolet – the closest being a Nacer Chadli strike in the first half. The defeat comes as a reality check to a Spurs side that were top of the table for the past week.
Hugo Lloris – 5 – Distribution was terrible throughout and gifted Balotelli a wonderful opportunity which the Italian squandered. Could have done better in saving Sterling’s goal.
Eric Dier – 6 – Solid enough in the first half. Fell away in the second half but I thought he was unlucky to be penalised for the ever-so-slight tug on Allen.
Younes Kaboul – 4 – Very poor. Touch was awful, passing was erratic and looked a liability whenever he was on the ball.
Jan Vertonghen – 6 – Did nothing noticeably atrocious but equally didn’t stand out, which we need players like him to do in these big games.
Danny Rose – 5 – An average performance, providing minimal attacking threat, which unfortunately culminated in him being withdrawn through injury.
Etienne Capoue – 5 – Given the run-around by Sterling on a day when it was so essential that Sterling be kept quiet. Needs to boss the midfield with his strength but failed today.
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Nabil Bentaleb – 5 – Looks out of depth in these big games, although he is undoubtedly going to be an excellent player.
Christian Eriksen – 4 – Failed to influence the game at all. Completely wasted out on the right flank. His set pieces were terrible too. Needs to play on the left or through the middle.
Erik Lamela – 6 – Showed a willingness throughout the 90 minutes that was lacking elsewhere but didn’t have the attacking input he would have liked.
Nacer Chadli – 5 – Saw plenty of the ball and threatened to make things happen, but didn’t. Should have scored when through on goal in the first half at 0-1.
Emmanuel Adebayor – 4 – Very very quiet. That Liverpool defence was there to be bullied but it simply was not.
Substitutes
Mousa Dembele – 6 – Composed on the ball and steadied the midfield ship but never looked like creating anything.
Andros Townsend – 3 – Appalling. Gave the ball away for Moreno’s goal with his first touch and proceeded to lose possession again and again. No end product when he did get into good areas.
Ben Davies – 5 – Looked quite solid but the game had lost all its intensity by the time of his entrance.
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