Liverpool advanced to the quarterfinals of the EFL Cup with a 2-1 win over Tottenham. Both the managers, Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino, fielded much-changed sides with Klopp making eleven changes while Pochettino made 10 changes in order to provide game time to fringe players and much-needed rest to key players.
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Daniel Sturridge scored a brace for Liverpool while Vincent Janssen scored a second-half penalty for Spurs.
Let’s take a look at the player ratings for the match.
Liverpool
Simon Mignolet: 7/10
The Belgian shot-stopper was given an opportunity to push Liverpool No.1 Loris Karius. He was generally good with his catching, made decent saves, and showed decent footwork except towards the end of the first-half.
He was assured and confident in the second half as Spurs pushed on for the equaliser including doing pretty well to hold on to a powerful Wanyama shot.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 7/10
The 18-year old Scouser continued his impressive U-23s form on his Liverpool debut with a balanced display. He was full of energy and had N’Koudou’s number till he was replaced by Clyne after the hour mark. He picked up a yellow owing to youthful exuberance in the first-half. Overall, a very impressive debut for the Liverpool youngster.
Lucas Leiva: 7.5/10
In the absence of regular captain Jordan Henderson and vice-captain James Milner, the stand-in captain for the night, Lucas showed his experience with a crucial tackle on Janssen early on and continued to put on a composed display making important tackles, mopping up loose balls.
He even played two wonderful passes to Origi and Sturridge but let himself down by conceding a silly penalty on Lamela. Apart from that, an astute display from the Brazilian.
Ragnar Klavan: 7/10
The Estonian continued his fine form whenever presented with an opportunity by putting on another assured display at centre-back. He made an important block off Onomah in the first-half and continues to be a fine header of the ball. He had a tidy game and did what was expected of him.
Alberto Moreno: 6.5/10
The much-maligned left-back had a shaky first-half as he gave away two cheap free-kicks but did well to support the attack at every opportunity. He made one excellent recovery tackle in the first-half and was decent for the rest of the match in defence. Going forward, he was a constant outlet whenever Liverpool countered.
Kevin Stewart: 7.5/10
Fresh from signing a new contract with the club, Stewart started as the deepest midfielder and acquitted himself brilliantly. Barring a few sloppy passes, he did his job well pressing, making good interceptions and moving the ball forward at every opportunity. He continues to make good use of every opportunity he gets.
Marko Grujic: 7.5/10
The 20-year old Serbian started at the tip of the diamond showed glimpses of his immense potential. His run and cross-shot across goal led to Liverpool’s opener and missed a scoring opportunity when released by Sturridge in the first half.
He made a few good tackles and showed his range of passing, both short and long and overall had a solid display as he adapts to the league
Georginio Wijnaldum: 7.5/10
The Dutchman made his first start after the injury during the international break. He had a quiet first-half but showed in the second-half why Liverpool missed him with his movement of the ball and picked up a superb assist for Sturridge’s second goal. Barring a couple of errors, a strong display from the Dutchman.
Ovie Ejaria: 7.5/10
The 18-year old midfielder made his full debut and linked up well with his team-mates spraying passes all around the pitch, showing tenacity to recover the ball back and constantly press the opposition. He definitely looked the part and had a great match especially in the second-half where he showed maturity beyond his age.
Divock Origi: 7.5/10
The Belgian striker partnered Sturridge up top and should have had an assist early on. After a quiet first-half, he came to life in the second-half showing his pace, power and strength by creating a couple of chances for Sturridge and a long-range scorcher that was punched away by Vorm. He played a key role in Liverpool’s second goal and received a big hug from Klopp on being substituted.
Daniel Sturridge: 9/10
Sturridge was given an opportunity to showcase his attacking prowess and started well by opening the scoring with a poacher’s awareness. He had a number of chances throughout the game only to be denied by Vorm before making an excellent run to score his and Liverpool’s second of the night.
Apart from his goals, he created chances for Grujic and Ings and clipped the bar towards the end of the game and could easily have scored 3-4 in this game in what was a terrific Man of the Match performance.
Substitutes
Nathaniel Clyne: 6.5/10
The right-back came on to replace the already booked Alexander-Arnold and helped shore up the defence.
Danny Ings: 7/10
Ings came on to a standing ovation and immediately went about hustling and bustling showing real desire and hunger. He had two decent chances to score but failed to convert either of them.
Emre Can: 6/10
Can came on for Grujic towards the end of the game and helped Liverpool see off the victory.
Tottenham
Michel Vorm: 8.5/10
The Dutch keeper started in place of the rested Hugo Lloris and should have shown more bravery for Liverpool’s opener. Barring that, he was responsible for keeping Spurs in the match, denying Sturridge multiple time while making outstanding saves to keep Origi, Ings, and Wijnaldum at bay.
Kieran Trippier: 7/10
The 26-year-old right-back had a solid display at the back while providing teasing crosses in the opposition half. He forced a couple of fouls from Moreno in the first-half but failed to create further impact after the break.
Cameron Carter-Vickers: 7/10
The 18-year-old centre-half made his second appearance for the club and did well to deal with Liverpool’s attack. He had a decent game, making good tackles and interceptions whenever Liverpool attacked in numbers. He justified why he is ahead of the senior Wimmer in the pecking order for Spurs.
Kevin Wimmer: 6/10
The Austrian centre-half partnered Carter-Vickers in the heart of Spurs defence and struggled to contain Liverpool’s attack compared to his younger partner. Liverpool’s pace troubled Wimmer constantly and was beaten by Sturridge for both the goals.
Ben Davies: 6/10
The 23-year-old replaced Danny Rose at left-back and failed to make any significant contribution in either half of the game. Overall, a poor outing for the former Swansea player as he failed to support the Spurs attack in any impactful way.
Eric Dier: 6.5/10
The captain on the night and the only unchanged member from the weekend was dominated by the Liverpool midfield. He showed his quality in glimpses including a timely interception on Wijnaldum in the second-half with Spurs trailing 1-0. He made way for Wanyama after the hour mark.
Harry Winks: 6/10
The young English midfielder was given a chance to make an impression and generally struggled to impose himself on the game as Liverpool harried in numbers. Overall, a lackluster display from Winks both in terms of chance creation as well as link-up play.
Tom Carroll: 6.5/10
The 24-year old midfielder made his 3rd appearance of the season and tried hard to make things happen for the Spurs side to little effect. He made way for Erik Lamela in the second-half.
Josh Onomah: 6.5/10
The 19-year old made his 2nd start in the cup and was one of the brighter players for the opposition as he constantly got into good positions and kept trying to find Janssen to mixed results.
Georges-Kevin Nkoudou: 6/10
The France U-21 international made his first start for Spurs and was up against Alexander-Arnold throughout the game. His slip led to the first Liverpool goal and was guilty of giving away the ball cheaply for most of the game. He attacked better in the second-half including a half-chance that he hit straight at Mignolet.
Vincent Janssen: 7/10
The Dutch striker started up front for the visitors and was denied a good early chance by a Lucas tackle who had the measure of him for most of the game. He was generally isolated up front with the service not up to the mark.
A tough night for Janssen as the Liverpool defence dealt with him expertly. He, however, took his penalty well by sending Mignolet the other way. Overall, a mixed night for the forward as he failed to make the necessary impact for his side.
Substitutes
Erik Lamela: 7.5/10
Lamela came on for Carroll in the second-half with Spurs chasing the game and had a chance straight away only to be tackled by Lucas. He won the penalty that Janssen scored and delivered a peach of a ball to Harrison who could not convert.
Victor Wanyama: 6/10
Wanyama came on around the hour mark and gave away cheap free-kicks by conceding unnecessary fouls. He had a rasping shot saved by Mignolet with Spurs trying to find an equalizer.
Shayon Harrison: 6/10
The young striker had a glorious opportunity to equalize for Spurs late into the game but failed to control Lamela’s cross. Apart from that, not much of an impact from Harrison
