**Liverpool secured a crucial win over Tottenham in what was a very messy and controversial game.**
Spurs received two red cards, but otherwise would have posed a much greater threat to the Reds. Thomas Frank’s side is a fascinating mix of grit and technical quality, but they collectively lost their heads after Xavi Simon’s red card in the first half.
Liverpool, for their part, were hardly polished but after a season of multiple upsets will be grateful for the three points with the expectation that performances will improve as the season progresses.
Alisson Becker – 8.5/10 (Man of the Match
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It was another game in which Liverpool would have been lucky to emerge with any points to speak of it were it not for the Brazilian. Alisson is such a reliable performer that if the Reds are to emerge from this season with anything resembling success, it will not be without him between the sticks.
Milos Kerkez – 7/10
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Liverpool are beginning to see the Kerkez they scouted extensively last season as he finds his feet at the club. While he is yet to come into his own in the offensive third, Liverpool are learning he is ever reliable in defensive situations.
Virgil van Dijk – 8/10
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While his failed swipe at the ball saw it fall at the feet of Richarlison for Spurs’ only goal, van Dijk was crucial as Liverpool weathered a late resurgence from the home team. The Dutchman is also very lucky that Simons’ red card challenge wasn’t more damaging.
Ibrahima Konate – 7/10
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Konate’s return to form has come at a priceless point for Liverpool, and while he still needs to improve his ball progression, the Reds once again have the dominant Frenchman at his best.
Conor Bradley – 6/10
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By no means an awful performance, Bradley was responsible for several dangerous turnovers with some sloppy play, but was found to be reliable in recovering the ball.
Ryan Gravenberch – 7/10
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It’s clear that the Dutchman has been tasked with playing a more passive role this season. Last term, he was very flashy in progressing the ball but he is becoming extremely consistent in winning the ball back and moving it on swiftly.
Curtis Jones – 7/10
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While the Scouser has been excellent recently, Jones was wasteful in possession and guilty of holding the ball too long in key moments. Yet, it’s encouraging to see his confidence growing game by game.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 8/10
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Another excellent, if not somewhat subdued, performance from the Hungarian. Unfortunately, he was booked and will now miss Liverpool’s next Premier League game against Wolves – not the worst game to miss.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6/10
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The Argentine continued his confusing and frustrating season with an anonymous performance. It’s difficult to tell what he needs to do to improve, but recently, the game has moved at a faster pace than he has been able to manage.
Florian Wirtz – 7/10
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Another decent game from the playmaker. His importance to Liverpool’s build-up play cannot be overstated, as he allows them to absorb a lot of pressure in the midfield with short passes between the lines. He also has a fantastic habit of either following every pass or making a darting run into space.
Hugo Ekitike – 8/10
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Another goalscoring performance from Liverpool’s top scorer. The Frenchman is undroppable, and in Mohamed Salah’s absence, he is vital to ensuring the Reds continue their rise through the Premier League table.