Liverpool ratings as Gini Wijnaldum rubs Tottenham the wrong way and earns an 8

Matt Jones - Editor 18:00 15/09/2018
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  • Liverpool made it five wins from five as they strolled to a 2-1 win at Wembley to beat Tottenham without getting out of second gear.

    Georginio Wijnaldum headed the visitors in front after Michel Vorm failed to keep his effort from crossing the line, with Roberto Firmino making it 2-0 in the second half.

    Erik Lamela gave Spurs late hope but his side were well beaten.

    Here we rate the Liverpool players:

    LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)

    Alisson – 6: Quiet game, barely tested by the home side, which he probably wouldn’t have expected.

    Trent Alexander-Arnold – 5: Offered himself in attack and kept Spurs in check, but third most passes from Liverpool players (39) resulted in a woeful 64.1 per cent pass success.    

    Virgil van Dijk – 7: Imperious at the back, although an under-par Harry Kane gave him a pretty easy day. Five clearances led his side. A calm, assuring, imposing presence. 

    Joseph Gomez – 5: Struggled, which at just 21, is to be expected. Not the full package yet, positioning needs to improve. Led Liverpool with four aerials won.   

    Andrew Robertson – 6: One of his quieter days as the marauding Christian Eriksen kept him occupied. A 68.1 pass success rate was alarming.    

    Naby Keita – 6: Plenty of industry and energy as always, but dispossessed more than any teammate (2) and wasted a chance to make it 3-0.

    Georginio Wijnaldum – 8: Continued his excellent start to the season with the opening goal. His 86.7 per cent pass success bossed Liverpool’s starting XI. A lively outing.   

    James Milner – 8: Mr Reliable was, well, reliable. Made three key passes and rarely wasted possession. Five tackles led Liverpool.

    Mohamed Salah – 6: More of a bystander than he’s used to being. Carried a threat but was thwarted by Vorm on several occasions. Three key passes highlighted more of a supporting role.      

    Roberto Firmino – 7: Bright from the off and unlucky to see a goal ruled out. Looked dangerous whenever he had the ball and deservedly got himself a goal.     

    Sadio Mane – 7: Tortured and tormented Spurs’ backline. Weighted ball set up second but decision-making can also infuriate.

    SUBS:

    Jordan Henderson – 6: The captain replaced the bloodied and brilliant Firmino.

    Daniel Sturridge N/A: Kept things neat and tidy when introduced. Clever ball to Mane almost yielded an assist for Mane.

    Joel Matip N/A: Brought on to shore things up – although Spurs scored after he came on.

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