Football Features

    Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool: Every player rated as Reds seal number six in Madrid

    By Harry Edwards

    Published: 22:08, 1 June 2019

    Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 to win the Champions League for the sixth time.

    In what was a largely cagey final, Liverpool scored within a few minutes of the first and final whistle through Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi respectively.

    But how did the players rate?

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Hugo Lloris – 6 – Was beaten by the sheer power of Salah’s penalty and looked shaky from Liverpool’s early corners. But he did produce a good save from Andy Robertson in the first half. Again, couldn’t do much about Liverpool’s second.

    Kieran Trippier – 7 – Defended well against Sadio Mane, not giving the Liverpool man too much luck with his final product. Got forward well too in both halves, but his testing crosses were not fruitful due to a lack of movement in the box.

    Toby Alderweireld – 7 – Despite his side conceding two goals, the Belgian defender played well, largely restricting Liverpool to shots from range.

    Jan Vertonghen – 6 – Worked well with Alderweireld to frustrate Liverpool’s play down the middle in the first half. But his part may be remembered for a poor clearance in the build up to Liverpool’s second goal.

    Danny Rose – 7 – Kept Salah quiet for large spells of the game, heading away at the far post when the Egyptian looked set to score his second in the first half. Gave Trent Alexander-Arnold problems going forward after half-time.

    Moussa Sissoko – 7 – Was perhaps unfortunate to be penalised for a handball inside the penalty area within 30 seconds though his arm was outstretched, and Uefa’s rules are clear. Did not let this faze him and his importance grew before being taken off due to injury.

    Harry Winks – 7 – On his return from injury, Winks was arguably Tottenham’s best midfielder, moving the ball around well. However, he was taken off midway through the second half with Tottenham needing a more attacking player in Lucas Moura.

    Dele Alli – 5 – Got into good areas to test Alexander-Arnold in the first half, but his final ball was missing. Had a good looping header caught by Alisson as Tottenham chased an equaliser, but was otherwise frustrated alongside his attacking team-mates.

    Christian Eriksen – 6 – A shot way over the bar just before the break summed by Eriksen’s frustrating first half with regards to end product. Tested Allison late on with a wide free-kick, but the Liverpool goalkeeper stepped up.

    Son Heung-min – 6 – Did not have the best first half, spurning an opportunity to draw Spurs level, running into Alexander-Arnold when bearing down on goal. Improved after half-time and had another good run through the Liverpool defence stopped by Virgil van Dijk.

    Harry Kane – 4 – Really struggled to get into the game, dropping far too deep. Pochettino probably made the wrong call in starting the Englishman.

    Substitutes:

    Lucas Moura (for Winks 66) – 6 – Tested Alisson from close range but his shot could have been better.

    Eric Dier (for Sissoko 74) – 4 – Did not add anything to the game and was too weak on the edge of his own area, losing a key challenge which lead to Liverpool’s second.

    Fernando Llorente (for Alli 81) – 5 – Could not make any difference to his side’s fortunes in attack.

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    Liverpool

    Alisson – 8 – Had nothing to do in the first half but did well when called upon later in the game, producing some wonderful saves. Showed his passing ability with a through ball to Salah.

    Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7 – Was asked questions by Alli’s off-the-ball runs but defended well when Heung-min Son looked like breaking through on goal. Perhaps didn’t perform as well as hoped, but that’s only due to the high expectations he has placed on himself this season.

    Joel Matip – 8 – A strong performance, dealing with whatever Spurs threw at him. Produced the pass of the first half to set up Robertson’s chance. Dominant at the back.

    Virgil van Dijk – 8 – Was his usual self winning aerial battles with ease, and produced a brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny Son when the South Korean looked likely to score.

    Andrew Robertson – 7 – Got forward a lot and tested Lloris with a powerful shot, but would have been hoping to make more impact from crosses.

    Jordan Henderson – 7 – Did well both defensively and in pushing Liverpool forward. Fittingly rewarded by lifting the European Cup for Liverpool.

    Fabinho – 7 – Dealt with his Tottenham counterparts, breaking up play well in the centre of the pitch.

    Georginio Wijnaldum – 4 – Struggled to get into the game, having fewer touches than any other Liverpool starter (15).

    Mohamed Salah – 6 – Stepped up to calmly convert the early penalty, beating Lloris with his power. But an otherwise quiet game, though Liverpool fans will not care one jot.

    Roberto Firmino – 4 – Really struggled during his 58 minutes on the pitch, on his return from injury. Managed just 16 touches before being taken off as Tottenham started to control the game.

    Sadio Mane – 6 – Looked to attack Trippier a lot throughout the match and won Liverpool’s early penalty, but was otherwise well-matched in a poor game for attackers.

    Substitutes:

    Divock Origi (for Firmino 58) – 7 – Was largely quiet after coming off the bench for Firmino, but secured the Champions League for Liverpool with a good driven finish late on.

    James Milner (for Wijnaldum 62) – 6 – Helped Liverpool wrestle back some control of the game and almost doubled his side’s lead with a shot that went just wide.

    Joe Gomez (for Mane 90) – N/A – A late sub.

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