Liverpool produced a much-improved performance to beat Tottenham 3-1 in and move up to fourth in the Premier League.
Both teams had huge chances to score in the opening minutes, but Sadio Mane fired off-target and although Son Heung-min did find the net, he was ruled to have been offside in the build-up.
Roberto Firmino fired in a shot from range and Son was denied by Alisson from closer in, while Joe Rodon had to make a great last-ditch tackle as Mane raced into the box and the same forward saw a good chance saved by Hugo Lloris at the end of the first half - before Mane turned provider to set up Roberto Firmino to score from a yard out.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold immediately doubled the lead after the break, but Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg blasted in minutes later to pull one back for Spurs. Salah then blasted one in, only to see it ruled out for a handball by Firmino, but there was no escape for the home side as Mane buried a valid third.
Here are the player ratings from the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Totttenham
Hugo Lloris - 6. Made several important stops in the first half with the scores level, but should have done far better for the Reds’ second.
Joe Rodon - 7. Continues to improve and impress on the big stage – one fantastic run saw him track and tackle Mane with the goal gaping. An error for Mane’s goal but he’ll no doubt learn from it.
Eric Dier - 6. Caught at times between tracking Firmino into deep areas and holding his line, then couldn’t cut out the cross for the opening goal.
Ben Davies - 5. Slow on the turn and caught out by both Salah running infield and Alexander-Arnold getting to a rebound first to score.
Serge Aurier - 5. Not enough defensively or going forward and subbed at the break.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - 8. His usual energetic and excellent self on and off the ball, but was overworked and overrun at times in the first half. Absolutely brilliant strike for his goal.
Tanguy Ndombele - 6. Showed great poise to hold onto the ball and relieve pressure for his team but wasn’t able to get forward an awful lot.
Matt Doherty - 5. Awkward running forward down the left, always looking to cut back on his right foot.
Steven Bergwijn - 6. One or two good runs through the centre but minimal first-half involvement. Subbed later on.
Harry Kane - 5. Took an early knock to the ankle which he didn’t really recover from. Subbed at the break.
Son Heung-min - 6. A neat finish when he was offside, a finish straight at the keeper when he was on. Faded in the second half as the lone forward.
Liverpool
Alisson - 6. Good with his distribution but he’s not on top form with his handling.
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 8. Another step forward toward decent form. Not there yet with every aspect but a tremendous strike for his goal and a sumptuous cross to assist Mane.
Joel Matip - 7. Some great defensive work to tackle both Son and Kane in the area, but went off at the break, presumably injured again.
Jordan Henderson - 8. Out of position but coped well and played forward to good effect, as well as a few important defensive clearances.
Andy Robertson - 7. A regular outlet down the left flank but didn’t create too much on this occasion.
Gini Wijnaldum - 7. Played the deepest role in midfield to very good effect.
Thiago Alcantara - 7. A few silly tackles saw him booked but his ability to spread play got the Reds onto the front foot with regularity.
James Milner - 8. Really tried to push on into the penalty box at every opportunity, though wasn’t always rewarded with a pass. Hard-working, important to the cause and led by example.
Mohamed Salah - 7. Had the creative edge Liverpool needed early on and was a big threat on the break. Unlucky to see a goal ruled out.
Roberto Firmino - 8. Some fine link-up play and, crucially, a finish to end the goalless run for the Reds. Lots of closing down to give Spurs problems.
Sadio Mane - 8. His movement was very good throughout, though he lacked end product at critical times, sending a big early chance wide then missing a one-on-one on the stretch and seeing a drilled effort saved. It all changed after his assist for Firmino, as he then created more openings and buried a goal of his own to clinch the points.
