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Liverpool 4 – 2 Tottenham – PL Player Ratings

This Sunday afternoon encounter was almost impossible to call in the pre-game notes, given the inconsistent form of each team in recent weeks. Ultimately, the end-of-season run for each elite club has fallen away, and any high hopes from a few weeks ago have drifted into obscurity. The bank holiday occasion was treated as a game full of goals as Liverpool used the lack of pressure to deliver a good shift.

Photo: IMAGO

Player Performances and Ratings

The lineup and subsequent ratings are listed below.

Alisson Becker – 7.0
The giant Brazilian was good, not great, as he dealt with what came his way confidently and assuredly. The goals were circumstances that he could little to avert and it was once more the defence that failed to protect their illustrious stopper.

Trent Alexander Arnold – 8.0
The England superstar was evidently wider than normal, and the unexpected deviation from the hybrid initiative to a crossing fullback allowed the system more threat and unpredictable patterns of play. His creation and passing ability were on show for all to see, as his incisive approach was vital to the dominant on-field display. The future is exciting.

Andy Robertson – 7.0
The Scotland international was once again a goal scorer in what could be his penultimate game at Anfield as a red. The energy and enthusiasm were there throughout, with only the odd moment of indecision causing a fret in the back line. The veteran defender’s reliability was a key component, and his goal was well taken.
Subbed – 64 mins

Jarell Quansah – 7.0
The England under-21 international defender was keen and alert throughout this high-profile encounter. With a lack of an out-and-out centre forward to deal with, the 6 ft 3-inch enforcer’s concentration was impressive, and his defensive awareness was on point throughout a largely comfortable performance.

Virgil van Dijk – 7.0
The captain and leader of this team was steady and assured for most of this encounter until he was not. The ease in his play was clear as day as the home side raced into a dominant lead. Unfortunately, the lack of concentration was allowed to seep in once again, with the latter game’s conceding of goals sadly reflecting Liverpool’s deteriorating season.

Harvey Elliott – 9.0
The England under-21 midfielder was brilliant today, and his enthusiasm and quality will not be forgotten by incoming head coach Arne Slot. With a great link-up between Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander Arnold, building from the opening bell, his second-half assist and breathtaking goal were the cherry on top of a man-of-the-match performance.
Man of the match
Subbed – 83 mins

Alexis Mac Allister – 7.0
The Argentina World Cup winner was the steady controller that allowed the game to flow around him. Within a less fantastic performance was a Gini type showing which complemented those that soared forward and attacked a lily-white team in disarray.
Subbed – 75 mins

Wataru Endō – 7.0
The Japan captain was a good shield throughout his time on the pitch, as his middleman persona was a key ingredient in his club’s dominance. The coordinated efforts and simple tactics were what was needed and the conceding of goals only came after he had departed the pitch.
Subbed – 65 mins

Luis Díaz – 7.0
The Colombian flyer was a fireball at times and his ability to instigate attacks was hard for Spurs to stop. The lack of a goal involvement is, of course, a concern; however, the unpredictability of the former Porto winger’s play was a key component of a solid home win. His future is unclear, the level of overall play is not.
Subbed – 75 mins

Cody Gakpo – 8.0
Once again, it was utilised in the first team elite, and this good uplift in form and desire could be fuelled by the forthcoming change of leadership. Power, movement, creation, and goals were all evident here, as an assist and a goal rounded off a very polished centre-forward display.

Mohamed Salah – 8.0
The Egyptian King was far better after his touchline dispute from last weekend. A smile and a skip in the step of the record scorer were on show throughout, which allowed his team to surge ahead with a superb headed opening goal and assist to Harvey Elliott. Of course, there were moments where better finishing was needed, though the display was once more reflective of the world-class abilities.

Subs;

Joe Gomez – 6.0 (on 65)
Came on to add more power.

Stefan Bajčetić 6.0 (on 65)
Welcome back.

Darwin Núñez – 5.0 (on 75)
Came on to miss a great chance.

Ryan Gravenberch – 5.0 (on 75)
Came on to add a little more front foot play.

Dominik Szoboszlai – N/A (on 83)
Came on.

The Manager;

Jürgen Klopp – 9.0
The German manager shuffled the Anfield pack and was on point with his selections. The start was ferocious, as the form of old availed itself in his penultimate home game.

Summary

The choice to alter the lineup later was perhaps driven more by wants than logic. These next couple of games will be more about sentiment than anything else, I am sure.

The infectious manager could have a stinker over the upcoming 180 minutes, but that will not stop me from giving the man who has delivered so much brilliance a brilliant rating score.

Pre-match Prediction;
Liverpool 2 – 1 Tottenham

Steven Smith

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