Liverpool extended their winning streak as they notched a 20th league victory of the season with a dogged and determined 1-0 win over Spurs in North London.
The Reds should have killed the game off after a dominant opening hour, though they were almost caught out in the closing stages as Spurs tried to salvage something, though Heung Min Son and Giovani Lo Celso squandered their late chances.
Jurgen Klopp’s men hung on for the win though to go 16 points clear at the top following Leicester’s defeat earlier in the day.
Here’s a look at how the players rated at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium…
Tottenham
Gazzaniga – 7
Much more composed than we’ve seen in recent weeks from the Argentine. Made a smart save from Mane in the second half to keep his side in it.
Tanganga – 7
The youngster did brilliantly to block Roberto Firmino’s goal-bound effort in the opening moments of the game. A solid debut even if he was given the run around at times by Liverpool‘s front three. He certainly won’t be the last.
Alderweireld – 7
Like his defensive colleagues, he did well on what was a busy night for the home side. The Belgian won a few key duels as his side prevented the floodgates from opening.
20 – Tottenham have conceded 20 goals in their 13 games under Jose Mourinho in all competitions, the quickest any of his sides have shipped 20 goals. Indeed, in his first stint in England with Chelsea, it took 44 games for Mourinho's Blues to concede that many. Leaky. #TOTLIV
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 11, 2020
Sanchez – 7
The Colombian was feisty in the first half, making several key interceptions, including a crucial block from a Sadio Mane cut back. Kept up the work rate after the break, again, a lot better than we’ve seen from him in recent weeks.
Aurier – 7
The Ivorian’s energy was useful as Spurs came back into the game in the final 20 minutes. The full-back got up the park well and will probably still be asking Lo Celso how he didn’t score from his laser-guided ball in towards the far post.
Winks – 5
A quiet night for the 23-year-old who didn’t really have any influence on proceedings. The action rather by-passed him as Spurs opted to go long for large swathes of the match. Looked a little timid against the high octane pressing game that Liverpool brought to North London.
Alli – 6
Better than most of his midfield colleagues but a bit like Winks, the England international was left on the periphery of the action by Spurs’ long ball game. Looked composed on the ball in the final third when he was afforded a rare bit of time in possession.
Eriksen – 3
The Dane was painfully ineffective for Spurs and was jeered by the home fans as he was hooked on 68 minutes. A woeful free-kick just on the hour mark rather summed up his match. His mind elsewhere perhaps?
Rose – 4
Another player who failed to make any sort of impact on proceedings. Asked to play as more of a wing-back and slot in as part of a back five out possession but looked rather bemused by his role. Hooked with just over 20 minutes to play.
Lucas Moura – 7
Looked a handful on the counter-attack. His pace drawing some heavy-duty tackles from Liverpool’s midfield. Played Son in perfectly only to see his teammate blaze over from a great position.
Son – 5
Looked handy on the counter-attack and made Alexander-Arnold work a bit down the right-hand side. Should really have found the back of the net rather than smashing the ball into the fans behind the goal though
Substitutes:
Lamela – 6
Added a bit more forward thrust to Spurs and almost got on the end of tidy through ball late on.
Lo Celso – 5
He was guilty of a real howler of a miss as he somehow missed the target from point-blank range at the back post late on in the match.
See also – Mourinho admits top four finish for Spurs is will be ‘hard’ after ‘difficult’ 1-0 loss to Liverpool
Liverpool
Alisson – 8
The Brazilian showed safe hands as he clung on to a few well-struck chances for Spurs. He rushed out on multiple occasions to help out defensively as well, although one sloppy kick at the end could have undone all of his good work.
Alexander-Arnold – 6
Not at his brilliant best, but worked so hard down the right for Liverpool. His distribution uncharacteristically let him down a couple of times and he fluffed at a great chance early in the second half.
Gomez – 6
Defensively he was excellent but looked a little shaky in possession at times. Deservedly picked up a yellow inside the opening 25 minutes after being caught out for the pace on the counter-attack.
Van Dijk – 8
Another excellent shift at the back from the Dutchman. He made a couple of crucial blocks and interceptions which he made look so easy. Should have opened the scoring though in the first half but his tame header was easily kept out.
Robertson – 7
A textbook all-action display from the Scotland captain. Robertson was a constant thorn in the left-hand side of Spurs. Like Trent on the other flank though, his final delivery went a bit awry on occasion, but otherwise, it was another solid day for the left-back.
Henderson – 9
The captain won the second ball so often during the first half and always looked to release the forward players with a rapid ball through to the final third. He was alert to danger and covered so much ground in the engine room of Liverpool’s pressing game.
Wijnaldum – 8
See above, but with his usual athleticism and poise on the ball proving so crucial in Liverpool’s midfield battles. Lost one ball after dawdling in possession which yielded the chance of Son on 74 minutes. That blip aside, it was a good day at the office of the 29-year-old.
Georginio Wijnaldum's game by numbers vs. Spurs:
100% shot accuracy
98 total touches
93% pass accuracy
84 passes attempted
12 ball recoveries (most)
5 take-ons completed (most)Near perfection (again). pic.twitter.com/K2uyLHL06N
— Squawka (@Squawka) January 11, 2020
Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6
Should have converted from close range following Firmino’s early gaffe, though his effort struck the post. Looked to break the lines and bomb on whenever he was on the ball. His work rate was excellent as well.
Salah – 7
The Egyptian toiled on a tough night for the Liverpool front three. He used his pace and skill to turn a few defenders and get into good positions but couldn’t make it count. He did at least notch an assist for his troubles, finding Firmino with a cute ball into the box for what would turn out to be the winning goal.
Mane – 7
The Senegalese was full of energy and was a willing runner in the final third, often winning the ball high up the pitch and unsettling the Spurs midfield.
Firmino – 8
Should have scored early on when presented with a glorious chance after some intricate build-up play. Made up for it with a really composed finish past Gazzaniga from close range to break the deadlock, and to ultimately extend Liverpool’s unbeaten record.
???? Liverpool
✅ W20 D1, best ever record after 21 games in a season in any of Europe’s big 5 leagues
✅ Scored in club record 30 successive league games (passing 29 in Div 2, 1957-58)
✅ 6th successive PL clean sheet – club’s best run since under Rafa Benitez in 2006 pic.twitter.com/N3JwahwtJt— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) January 11, 2020
Substitutes:
Lallana -6
The 31-year-old did well and added some fresh legs to Liverpool’s pressing game.
Origi – N/A
Looked lively off the bench but not given enough time to make any telling contribution to his one.
Shaqiri – N/A
Like Origi, not enough time to make an impact.
See also – Klopp insists ‘the result is the most important thing’ as Liverpool edge to narrow win over Spurs
