Spurs Players Ratings from Tottenham Loss at Liverpool

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Tottenham Hotspur holds off a challenge from Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on December 16, 2020 in Liverpool, England. A limited number of fans (2000) are welcomed back to stadiums to watch elite football across England. This was following easing of restrictions on spectators in tiers one and two areas only. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

Spurs Midfield

The Tottenham midfield was a surprise four main group on the day. Moussa Sissoko started the day on the right side of the midfield four with Steven Bergwijn the opposite side and Lo Celso and Højbjerg splitting the middle of the pitch. This positioning was intentional to help provide extra cover on the flanks against the numbers Liverpool use to overload the wings.

Steven Bergwijn -6

Steven Bergwijn had a tough day overall for Tottenham as he had the two biggest chances outside of the Heung-Min Son goal and missed them both. Worse that having them both saved Bergwijn twice failed to hit the target. Both opportunities came with the game level at 1 and would have clearly made for a different story. The misses cover up the excellent off-ball work Bergwijn did defensively and his efforts to try and help in the hold up play on offense. Ultimately all anyone will remember are the misses.

Pierre Højbjerg – 6

Speaking of misses, that is what the day felt like for the Danish international as Pierre Højbjerg struggled on the afternoon. Højbjerg was mostly his normal self defensively although a cheap yellow card hurt his aggression. Højbjerg, like most of Tottenham, struggled in possession and did little to help Tottenham move the ball forward. Over the last few weeks as Højbjerg has sat deeper in a less expansive role on the ball and Spurs offense has suffered for it.

Giovani Lo Celso – 7

How you look at Giovani Lo Celso’s day is really a matter of perspective. There is the one perspective where he was sort of just running around defensively and seemed a step slow to every challenge. The normal defensive rigidity that exists with Højbjerg and Moussa Sissoko side-by-side just was not there with Lo Celso all over the park. Then there is the perspective that remembers it was Giovani Lo Celso who was able to squeeze a nice through ball up the middle of the pitch to earn Spurs their goal. Was far and away Spurs most accurate passer on a night that was likely cut short by that yellow.

Moussa Sissoko – 7.5

Moussa Sissoko did not necessarily pass or tackle better than any of the rest of an average midfield on the afternoon. However, Sissoko continues to show his incredible value and versatility as he played on both the outside and the inside of the field. Always there defensively, Sissoko needs to continue to work on his control and decision making when he has the ball, but never had the terrible turnover.