Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League as a late own goal from Toby Alderweireld sealed a dramatic 2-1 victory at Anfield.
The Reds were much the better side in the first-half with full-backs Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold causing problems in the spaces between Spurs’ back three and wing-backs.
Kieran Trippier was then at fault as Robertson ran forward into space and delivered a pinpoint cross for Roberto Firmino to head home the opener.
Mauricio Pochettino changed system at half-time, shifting Jan Vertonghen to left-back and moving Danny Rose further forward, and they were much improved, nearly levelling as first Harry Kane saw his shot saved by Alisson and then Christian Eriksen’s follow up effort was blocked by Robertson.
They finally made the breakthrough on 70 minutes, when Kane’s quick-thinking put Trippier through down the right and Lucas Moura tucked away a cross deflected by Eriksen.
Moussa Sissoko had a glorious opportunity to win it late on but could only blaze over the bar when through one-on-one before that late, late own goal.
Liverpool player ratings
Alisson: Unusually scrappy. Three untidy touches early on including botched header which could have easily conceded goal and poor save from Kane 4/10
Alexander-Arnold: Eager to get forward but shackled slightly by Rose. Switched off as Eriksen and Moura flooded the box to score equaliser 6/10
Robertson: Wonderful cross to set up Firmino for the opener and register ninth assist of season before crucial block to stop Eriksen equalising 8/10
Van Dijk: Should perhaps have done better with a second-half header which could have doubled lead. Marked Kane so well he was forced to drop deep. Excellent play to prevent late Spurs winner 8/10
Matip: Relatively quiet game given Liverpool’s dominance going forward early. Did little wrong but didn’t really impose himself 6/10
Henderson: Fizzing wide ball to set Robertson up in build-up to the opener but then gave away cheap free-kick for foul on Kane that saw Spurs equalise 7/10
Wijnaldum: Intricate pass nearly teed up Mane for a Liverpool second early on and made some nice runs beyond the Spurs backline 7/10
Milner: Did the messy work well in midfield but a relatively quiet afternoon for Liverpool’s Mr Consistent. Replaced late on 7/10
Mane: Gave Trippier and Alderweireld headaches with his astute positioning and nearly scored with curling effort from edge of box. Faded as game wore on 6/10
Salah: Made some nice runs at the back three and a constant threat, but yet again looks short on confidence in front of goal. Did well to set up winner 7/10
Firmino: Nearly fluffed header for opener but did enough to get it on target. Harried and hustled Tottenham back three. Quiet second-half 7/10
Subs
Fabinho: 6/10
Origi: 5/10
Spurs player ratings
Lloris: Fortunate not to lose possession in dangerous position after poor clearance and at fault for Liverpool’s late winner 4/10
Trippier: Backed off Robertson as full-back set up Liverpool opener and looked second-best to the Scot for most of the game but made crucial run to set up equaliser
Rose: Recovered well from early head knock to be Tottenham’s brightest player in first-half. Switched off late on to let Salah in at the back post and head across goal for winner 7/10
Vertonghen: Should have been tighter on Firmino for opener. Grew into game when Spurs switched to back four in second-half 7/10
Sanchez: Good recovering tackle on Salah and played solidly enough. Replaced by Son as Spurs chased the game 6/10
Alderweireld: Poor in first-half but improved as system changed. Little he could do about late own goal 6/10
Sissoko: Performed well in deep midfield role given absence of Dier and Winks. Had glorious opportunity to win it late on but blazed over bar 6/10
Eriksen: Put in plenty of defensive work but had little opportunity to make impact going forward until setting up Moura for equaliser 7/10
Alli: Decent effort from edge of box after neat one-two with Eriksen but otherwise another game he seemed to coast through until nearly popping up with winner 6/10
Moura: Spurned early opportunity on edge of box but was one of few Spurs players to cause Liverpool problems early on. In right place at right time to score equaliser 7/10
Kane: Needed more support up top on 250th appearance for Spurs. Eventually dropped deep and played quick free-kick to set up equaliser 7/10
Subs
Son: 6/10
Davies: 5/10
The post Liverpool vs Tottenham: Player ratings as late, late own goal snatches dramatic win for Reds appeared first on inews.co.uk.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/2U4XWf7
Callum Wilson scored 11 points against Huddersfield (Getty Images)
