Sloppy, lethargic and lacking ideas. That is how one would sum up Tottenham Hotspur’s performance where they succumbed to Liverpool at Wembley on Saturday. The 2-1 scoreline might suggest that Spurs were in with a chance in the game, but they were far from it. Only a little individual brilliance from Erik Lamela, in the end, made the tie interesting in the dying moments. Liverpool, on the other hand, could have scored more as they nicked balls from Spurs midfielders in dangerous areas quite a few times.
Tottenham conceded the first goal when Michel Vorm, who was deputising for the injured Hugo Lloris, failed to clear his lines from a corner and Georginio Wijnaldum thumped a header in goal. Even for the second goal, the Dutch goalkeeper could have grabbed the ball before Roberto Firmino smashed it in from close range. Apart from Lamela’s brilliant finish from an acute angle, Alisson Becker was hardly tested in Liverpool’s goal.
This is how Pochettino’s men fared against Liverpool
Michel Vorm 4
Made some decent saves to keep his side in the game but was definitely at fault for the first goal. Could have done better even for the second goal when he failed to gather the ball, which was loitering around the goal line.
Kieran Trippier 5
Made some sloppy passes which put his team under pressure. Did provide the option down the right by making those overlapping runs.
Toby Alderweireld 6
Couldn’t have done much for the goals his team conceded. His midfielders often put him under pressure by giving the ball away cheaply. Rescued his side on quite a few occasions.
Jan Vertonghen 6
One of the few players who distributed the ball well today. Did his defensive duties alright.
Danny Rose 6
Kept it pretty tight at the back even though he was up against Mohamed Salah.
Eric Dier 3
Probably one of the major culprits of the match as the English midfielder was guilty of giving the ball too easily in dangerous areas. Was all over the place in midfield and had an afternoon to forget.
Mousa Dembele 4
Like his midfield counterpart, the Belgian too was guilty of the same mistakes. Liverpool kept on nicking balls from him every now and then. Didn’t provide much while going forward as well.
Harry Winks 5
Was brought in the team to replace Dele Alli but wasn’t involved too much in the game. On the day where all his midfielders were sloppy, he had a decent game comparatively.
Christian Eriksen 4
The Danish international is known for his consistent and solid performances every week, but like his teammates, he too was not at his best. Almost felt like the miss passing amongst the Spurs midfield got contagious, as the game moved on.
Lucas Moura 7
Quite simply the best Spurs player on the pitch as he was a constant threat to the Liverpool defenders. Gave a tough afternoon to Joe Gomez and missed a great chance where he was denied by the post when the score was 1-0. That goal could have brought his side back in the game.
Harry Kane 5
The World Cup golden boot winner was deprived of any decent service from his midfield, and he was often seen dropping deep to get the ball. Used his strength well on occasions but didn’t have anything to feed on today.
Substitutes
Erik Lamela 7
The Argentine quite simply was the game changer, and maybe Pochettino could have started with him instead of Winks. Scored a brilliant goal from a very acute angle to give his side a consolation in the end.
Son Heung-Min N/A
Came on late and didn’t have much opportunity to affect the game.
Victor Wanyama N/A
Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
