Spurs player ratings in 1-2 Tottenham loss to Liverpool
By Aaron Coe
Rating the Tottenham Midfield
With a five-person midfield, Spurs were looking to control the possession and push up against Liverpool. Unfortunately, in the first half, Liverpool’s midfield four controlled much of the action before a furious Tottenham comeback.
Left-wing-back – Ryan Sessegon – 6.5
The young Englishman had moments in the match, like when he managed to wiggle his way past multiple defenders on the left and when he got on the end of a cross to head the ball back to Perisic for a shot at goal. Sess likely feels a bit hard done after going over in the box from a clear shove from Trent Alexander-Arnold. However, on the whole, Sessegnon, like the rest of the team, lacked that moment of quality needed, as he was replaced by Dejan Kulusevski with just over 20-minutes to play.
Central-midfield – Pierre Hojbjerg – 6.5
Pierre-Emily Hojbjerg has been incredible for Tottenham this season, fighting until the last and producing some results in the attack, but Sunday was not his best effort. Battling a knock in the second half, Hojbjerg was trying but never made the key pass or run as the team ran out of time.
Central-midfield – Yves Bissouma – 7.5
Playing as the deepest of the three central midfielders, Yves Bissouma showed three sides of his game on Sunday. Defensively, Bissouma was incredible, winning the ball back on multiple occasions as he used his pace and power to beat Liverpool players to the ball again and again. Once he had the ball, Bissouma showed the close control we had yet to see from him this season. He was about to dribble out of trouble on multiple occasions, showing strength and skill with the ball at his feet. Unfortunately, that final ball for Bissouma was lacking as he struggled to connect in the final third of the pitch. Bissouma was replaced late by Lucas Moura as Spurs searched for an equalizer.
Central-midfield – Rodrigo Bentancur – 7.5
Over the last several matches, the contributions of Rodrigo Bentancur have been plain for all to see, and he again put in a big shift against Liverpool. Bentancur was often the focal point in Spur’s press as they looked to pressure the Liverpool center-halves when they had the ball at their feet. With the ball, Bentancur moved it quickly and kept the team on the front foot. His big moment was a second-half header, which he did not catch cleanly enough to beat Alison.
Right-wing-back – Emerson Royal – 6
It was a tale of two halves for Emerson Royal, although it did not match the same script as everyone else. In the first half, one of the more aggressive Tottenham players was Emerson Royal, who played a couple of good balls into both Kane and Perisic in the final third. However, as the game went on and Royal’s contributions faded, Matt Doherty eventually replaced him.