Two bright lights in an otherwise dim night at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Tanguy Ndombele stood head and shoulders above the rest, offering Tottenham some much needed solace in an otherwise bitterly disappointing display. 

The midfield couple, known for entirely different skill sets, enjoyed dominant performances in the 3-1 loss to Liverpool, their displays providing a bright silver lining for Jose Mourinho’s post game commiserations. There were more than enough negatives to dissect, including a litany of individual errors that highlighted the current bridge between the two sides.

Optimistically for Tottenham, Tanguy and Højbjerg played like monsters among men. Højbjerg, easily Spurs most important recent signing, is a beacon of sturdiness and consistency in the centre of the park. You know exactly what you’ll get from him each week. His rugged defensive dominance complemented perfectly his assuredness in possession.

A rock solid protecting force in front of his centre backs, Højbjerg is also incredibly reliable with the ball in tight quarters. He always makes the intelligent pass and is as tenacious as a rabid badger. And all that without mentioning the wonder strike which, at the time, gave Spurs a chance to overcome the two-goal deficit.

He plays football like the havoc his ancestors caused on the high seas. Spurs are fortunate to have him in their ranks. Credit to Mourinho for finding a player of Højbjerg’s rare qualities to anchor brilliantly Tottenham’s midfield. If not for numerous personal follies by his teammates, Højbjerg’s outstanding display against Liverpool would have led to much more than a few complimentary prose.

Ndombele in a league of his own

Watching this man perform is like witnessing poetry in motion. Some of the pirouettes he pulls off under duress seem impossible to navigate. Yet he does it with extreme grace, fluidity and style. The Frenchman never breaks stride, almost as if every single duke, dip and spin is orchestrated well in advance. The truth is that he adapts miraculously quickly in live time, seemingly at the speed of a humming bird’s wings in full flight.

To couple that astonishing skill in tight quarters, Ndombele is just as adept at finding an incisive pass. His vision is outstanding, which is matched by his ability to thread the needle. He’s maturing and gaining confidence with every week, and there is no ceiling to how high Ndombele can climb the ranks.

Both relative newcomers deserved a far better outcome than they received last night at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But at least their performances are an encouraging sign for Spurs, who will need both to continue in this rich vein of form to secure a 2021-22 Champions League spot.