Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Tottenham as Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo scored for Andoni Iraola's side to book a spot in the Carabao Cup fourth round
Cody Gakpo celebrates with his Liverpool teammates after scoring against Tottenham.
Cody Gakpo celebrates with his Liverpool teammates after scoring against Tottenham.(Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL // Liverpool booked its place in the Carabao Cup fourth round with a narrow win over Tottenham, with Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai netting.
Mac Allister opened the scoring midway through the first 45 minutes when he latched onto a loose ball and placed an effort into the back of Martin Dubravka's net. From there, Tottenham, which had started well, seemed to lose its way in attack.
Less than 10 minutes after the break, Gakpo doubled Liverpool's lead with a finish that is typical of the Dutchman. Conor Gallagher halved the deficit but the Reds were just about able to hold on in the end with Szoboszlai volleying in from distance late on.
Winners
Mac Allister should have started at the weekend, and he was bright again here, having impressed in the Champions League last midweek. The 27-year-old scored and was bright, helping Trey Nyoni through alongside him.
The pair looked like a nice duo at the base, though James McConnell in front of them was more sporadic. As expected, Nyoni offered some food for thought, and Gakpo continued his good form at the start of the new season.
Losers
He was far from a loser, but McConnell looked more like a youth player stepping in than the others of a similar age. It probably didn't help that he was deployed higher upfield, when he is best with the play in front of him.
Meanwhile, players like Rio Ngumoha and Jeremie Frimpong, who would have wanted to stake a claim for starting at Bournemouth, probably would have liked to do a bit more.
Player ratings
Giorgi Mamardashvili (6). If he wasn't played here, then when would he be? His first pass went straight out of play, and the crowd was frustrated by his lack of coming to collect a couple of balls, but it was no surprise that some chemistry was lacking.
Got down well to make a good save early on from Lucas Bergvall and again for one that he would expect to make after the interval, but could perhaps have done something about the corner that was swung in when Spurs pulled a goal back. A top save in the driving rain late on from Omar Marmoush was crucial. Mixed.
Jeremie Frimpong (6). In at full-back and given another opportunity to shine, he left a couple of gaps down his side that Mathys Tel exploited. It wasn't all his fault, but he didn't do much going forward either. Harshly booked when he was adjudged to have pulled Tel back in a promising area for Spurs.
Ronald Araujo (6). Back in his favored role at center-back, he was cautioned for a pull-back in the first half. Lasted the full 90 minutes when he has looked jaded of late.
Joe Gomez (6). Making his first appearance of the season after injury and captaining the team, the experienced center-back was solid enough. He came off at half-time, hopefully because of his minutes being managed after injury rather than a fresh setback.
Milos Kerkez (7). In at left-back again, the 22-year-old really battled hard against Mohammed Kudus, who is a strong operator. He was dogged and a lot better than he has been at times this season, but then got a typical booking when he flew into an unnecessary challenge.
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Trey Nyoni (7). A huge talent at the base of the midfield, he was poised in possession and hard in the tackle. Proactive a couple of times to win the ball back and move it forward, it was an impressive showing, as expected.
Alexis Mac Allister (7).* *Deeper, alongside Nyoni, the Argentine still managed to get forward on a few occasions, including when he latched onto the ball to curl a shot into the corner to break the deadlock. Less involved second half than the first but still good.
Rio Ngumoha (6). Operating off the right rather than the left, he did some good things, but was hampered by coming inside all the time. Definitely better off the left.
James McConnell (6). Overlooked in the midfield conversation by some because of the talent that Nyoni has, he was playing as a No.10 here. There were a couple of flashes, but he wasn't that involved.
Cody Gakpo (8). On his favored left flank and facing a team he might have joined during the summer, the first goal came when he drove inside with the ball at his feet. He needed to do that more often but this was another strong showing after a good start to the season and he found the net in the second half.
Lewis Koumas (7). He really made an impression on Andoni Iraola during the summer, and he was up top in place of Alexander Isak here. He was lively and never stopped trying, even up against two good center-halves. His main impact was scrapping for others to profit from loose balls or extra space but he linked things up nicely at times too.
Substitutes
Jeremy Jacquet (7). Given the second half, the Frenchman slotted in straight away and was able to work on his relationship with Araujo. One tackle on Marmoush was like Virgil van Dijk in its anticipation and consummate ease.
Ryan Gravenberch (6). Once again, didn't offer the kind of control that Liverpool would have wanted. He is still getting up to speed this term, but perhaps the international break can offer the chance to reset.
Dominik Szoboszlai (7). Gave the ball away a few times when he should have found a teammate. An odd showing off the bench, with a couple of good moments sprinkled in and plenty of pressing. Then, he popped up with a sensational strike to cap the win.
Bradley Barcola (6). Playing on the right again, he didn't leave much of a mark on the game either good nor bad.