MANAGED to get through my match ratings debut unscathed, so I’m back for more.
A much more positive result this week, as Liverpool drew 1-1 with Spurs at White Hart Lane, though Jürgen Klopp may feel his side could have taken all three points today, with some more clinical finishing.
Simon Mignolet: 6
Wasn’t troubled too frequently, but mostly did well when he was called into action. Could argue that he shouldn’t be beaten at his near post, for the goal, but Danny Rose shouldn’t have that much free time in the box.
Nathaniel Clyne: 6
Did OK in parts today. Gave us width on the right, though he didn’t have the same license to get forward as on Tuesday night. Questions asked about why he chooses to follow the ball for the goal. Needs to stop shooting when there are other, better options.
Dejan Lovren: 7
Was pretty solid all round. A lot was asked of him in a battle with Harry Kane, and later Victor Janssen, but he mostly coped well. Silly yellow card for kicking the ball away, though.
Joel Matip: 6
A decent enough debut for the Cameroonian. Clipped the bar with his header, to show that he can give us an aerial threat, in the opposition area. Looks comfortable on the ball, as well.
James Milner: 7
Looked as though Spurs were trying to exploit him today, and you could argue that the goal was created down his side. However, for the most part, he had a good game. He wasn’t looking to cut inside on his right as much, which is positive, and he took his penalty well.
Jordan Henderson: 6
Looked a bit lost at times in a fierce midfield battle, but an improvement on his performance at Burnley, for sure. Once again, he was pretty tidy in possession and was willing to fill in when gaps were left.
Georginio Wijnaldum: 6
Still doesn’t look right up to speed but he was much more of an influence today. His pressing was good — he seemed to constantly win the ball back.
Adam Lallana: 8
Great performance today. His touch caused Spurs a lot of problems, and his pace on the turn is a valuable asset. Perhaps a little unlucky not to get an assist.
Sadio Mane: 8
An absolute menace. It felt as though a chance was coming whenever he had the ball at his feet, and he gave Rose, and Jan Verthongen a tough time. Like the fact he wasn’t afraid to get stuck in.
Philippe Coutinho: 6
Should have done much better with his two chances in the first half, and his play on the left wing is starting to seem very predictable. Seemed to be better in possession when he was deeper.
Roberto Firmino: 7
His pressing was great today, and crucial in giving Spurs a few nervy moments at the back. Showed some great touches, as usual, and could have easily had an assist – with better finishing from Coutinho.
Subs
Divock Origi: 6 (subbed on 69′)
Would like to see him get on a bit earlier. As Klopp said, needs to find that rhythm.
Daniel Sturridge: N/A
Not enough time for an impact.
Kevin Stewart: N/A
Same as above.
LISTEN: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Liverpool 1: The Pink.
READ: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Liverpool 1: How It Happened.
READ: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Liverpool 1: Match Review.
Generous to Lovren for me. Too many mistakes that thankfully didn’t cost us today. From what we’ve got though, Lovren and Matip is the pairing. Love Mane’s attitude.
Thanks Josh. Really enjoying your transfer updates and agree with your take on the performances.
Really liked what I saw of Matip. Not since the early days on Dan Agger have we seen a centre half carry the ball forward wen given the opportunity. Some may say that Spurs were poor going forward today but maybe that’s because we stayed compact and competed for every ball. I am looking forward to watching this Matip-Lovren partnership blossom.
Interesting how people see the same game in different ways. I thought Hendo absolutely bossed the first half midfield battle and played some great forward passes. He was both far more aggressive and far more forward looking than he has been recently. Admittedly, he was less effective in the second half. On the other hand, I thought Wijnaldum did very little, lost a number of challenges for which he looked favourite, as if he didn’t really commit to them, and often held on to the ball a fraction of a second too long when in good attacking positions or failed to see a teammate’s run or a through ball. I thought he was disappointing.
Agree Re Wijnaldum. Thought he funked a number of 50/50s today.
I agree, I thought Henderson looked more effective than in previous games, he’s gradually playing himself back into form. He was covering more ground, his passes looked sharper and he was more involved defensively. Given the injuries he’s had it was always going to take time before he was back to his best but things seem to be moving in the right direction.
Agreed. While some of Hendo’s strengths are under-utilised in the holding role, I find it hard to fault him for doing his job there. Thought he was excellent today.
When Can is back fit, Gini is the one who’ll have to sit bench, in my opinion. I’m struggling to see what Gini adds at the moment. He needs time, of course.
Thought Matip was a 7.5. Good in the air, classy with all at feet and didn’t get physically bullied as some have said he would. Him and Lovren gave Kane nowt.
Hendo was better than average I’d say and Matip deserves a 7, looked very assured.
Just felt like a proper kick in the balls as we should really have been about 2 or 3 up.
Need to be more ruthless.
Thought Matip was our best defender today.
Thought Mingolet was definitely at fault for our goal. Rose had time and didn’t hit it cleanly but getting beaten on his near post is poor. Yet again our keeper let’s us down while the other team’s fella keeps them in it.
How on earth does Matip get 6? I realise I’ve had a few beers but he was great today!
I would’ve given mignolet at least a 7. What more can he do to get a good score? I guess you’re saying he didn’t have much to do, but he made one great save and a couple of others, basically didn’t put a foot wrong, and what really stood out to me today (much better than usual,) was his distribution. Aside from making tons of saves, that was a very sold GK performance.
Lallana and winjaldum don’t do enough “game changing” things, but I still think they’re invaluable because of how reliable they are at keeping our moves going. They keep us ticking over…
Shouldn’t really be leaving a gap at the near post for the goal.
I was impressed today, we were the better side by some distance. I do think though that if we’re going to try to win it in 60 mins, then we need Sturridge involved somehow. Thought Hendo’ was easily a 7 today, and Milner an 8 (With Firmino). Mane, Matip and, remembering it’s early days for everyone, Wjinaldum, all looking good. Nothing against Mignolet, he’s been okay lately and a decent back-up but the way we press and attack needs that high starting, sweeper keeper that Karius looks like – he was virtually in the oppositions’ half in the friendlies. I really think that will help us pen sides in for longer. Not disheartened, even tho’ we should have won, these are early games and no-one is in their rythm yet.
Henderson a ” that’s more like it ” 7,
Matip a commanding 7.5- we’ve got a good ‘un there,
ditto Mane -a fizzing 7.5 .
Good all round performance , should have won.Outplayed them for long periods but nneded a bit more luck / clinical finishing / Sturridge in front of goal.
Two of our toughest away games against main rivals out of the way.
Sorry everyone- that’s a poor performance. JK expects better but he failed today. Hendo is a naturally attacking midfielder yet looked after the house, very well. Can out, play Lucas in DM then we are different. Hendo attacking with wing backs and we conttol midfield. The rest speaks for itself. Defenders great job today but Jurgen has gotta play a DM that’ll give him Flying Wing Backs, roving midfielders to support a raving forward mix.
Disagree with your performance assessment Peter. I thought it was a good performance with some flaws. Need more ruthlessness in both boxes if we’re to avoid another 7th/8th finish.
Paddy, We do need more ruthlessness in the boxes and I think the Defence is well improved. But we are a better outfit and fitter than Spurs- yet we didn’t show it through domination upfield. I know the Burton game was so much easier but the Template should have remained. That is- Can or Lucas as DM allowing Henro and FBs to push up. When he does we dominate higher up then use the wing backs to overlap (Clyne and Mane in particular) to send balls into the box that has advanced forwards in or approaching.
Having Henderson lodged in our half restricted this and the team attacked less as a unit.
Effort wise- it was a good performance and we should have won on merit.
Rating the the Ref and his Assistants = 5. Mane was level for his not given goal, Spot on for our Pen but should have given another when given the current initiative for giving Pens in the box for interference, Matip getting dragged down in box from a corner and Manley orders us to retake the corner. Poor refereeing and some fiddly decision making and harsh bookings disrupted our free flowing game in 1st hour.
Oh how I used to bemoan the overly cautious ‘safety first’ approach when Rafa was boss. We played well in parts today. Did we totally dominate, no. Did we get overrun, for large parts of the game, no. Here’s my issue: while we can field many many players who can play the obscure #10 position, how many of our midfielders are natural ball winners? Lallana? Coutinho? Gini? Firmino? Henderson? Is it now passé in 2016 to expect your midfielders to be able to tackle? We had the game at 1-0 and yes Spurs at home were always likely to rally but is a little more spine in the middle of the park too much to ask for?
Lallana and Firmino win the ball back so often. They just do it staying on their feet and kinicking in.