Tottenham player ratings vs Liverpool - Richarlison excellent, Bissouma better and Emerson poor

Tottenham have now lost four successive games in the Premier League following a 4-2 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield. Having fallen four goals behind against the Reds, Spurs did give themselves some late hope to give Jurgen Klopp's side a real scare.

Coming into the game on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea on Thursday evening, the Spurs boss made just the one change to his starting XI with Rodrigo Bentancur replacing Richarlison. It was Liverpool who had the better chances early on as Mohamed Salah clipped the crossbar and forced Guglielmo Vicario into a save, before Cristian Romero cleared off the line from Harvey Elliott seconds later.

Klopp's team did have the ball in the net on 16 minutes through Salah as he was left all alone at the back post to head in Cody Gakpo's cross. With Tottenham not really troubling the hosts and with Liverpool always looking the most likeliest to score next, they did just that on the cusp of half-time as Andy Robertson scored from point-blank range.

It was to get even worse for Spurs minutes into the second half as Gakpo got a goal for himself as he headed in Elliott's cross to the back post. Elliott then managed to get on the scoresheet with a rasping drive that found the top corner of Vicario's goal.

Despite their four-goal deficit, Tottenham gave themselves some late hope with Richarlison firstly finding the net and then Son Heung-min doing likewise to set up a tense finale.

Here is how we rated the Spurs players at Anfield:

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Guglielmo Vicario

Made a good save early on to deny Salah but he couldn't keep out the Egyptian's header on 16 minutes. Should have done better for Robertson's goal on the stroke of half-time and you could maybe say the same about Gakpo's header. 5

Pedro Porro

Gave Gakpo space to get his cross in that Salah went on to convert and wasn't aware of Robertson for Liverpool's second. 5

Cristian Romero

Produced a brilliant bit of defending inside the first ten minutes to stop Elliott's shot from creeping in. Spurs' best defender with a number of blocks and tackles, although he may feel he could have done better for Gakpo's goal. 7

Micky van de Ven

Liverpool wanted a penalty when he brought down fellow countryman Gakpo in the first half. Defended well at times but for some reason elected to let the ball run a couple of yards in front of goal with Salah stood just behind him. Thankfully it didn't cost Spurs with the ball just going wide of the target. 6

Emerson Royal

Retained his place in the team at left-back and was caught watching the ball as Salah ghosted in behind him to nod home the opener. Had a tough afternoon against Liverpool's No.11 but produced a fine tackle on the attacker ten minutes before the break just as he looked set to test Vicario, with the Brazilian then denying Trent Alexander-Arnold with a good block. Crucially lost possession of the ball outside the box as Gakpo scored Liverpool's third of the afternoon and was hooked not long after. 3

Yves Bissouma

Better after his midweek display at Chelsea as he looked to get on the ball and play it forward. Used the ball well at times when in possession. 6

Rodrigo Bentancur

The Uruguayan midfielder came into the team after starting on the bench at Chelsea in midweek and produced a couple of neat bits of play early on but later faded. Replaced on the hour mark. 5

Pape Matar Sarr

Kept his place in the team and was booked in the final few minutes of the first half. Tough afternoon for the most part. 5

Dejan Kulusevski

Named on the right flank after playing in midfield at Chelsea but did very little in the final third with nothing coming off for Spurs in that area of the pitch. 4

Son Heung-min

Back in a central role in attack with Richarlison dropping down to the bench but didn't initially trouble Virgil van Dijk or Jarell Quansah. Was much better after moving to the left flank and made a number of good runs as he troubled the Liverpool backline. Scored in the closing stages from Richarlison's pass. 6

Brennan Johnson

Saw a header saved by Alisson early in the second half and reverted to the right wing following Kulusevski's exit. Got an assist to his name from that position as he put the ball on a plate for Richarlison. 5

Substitutes

Richarlison (Dejan Kulusevski, 60)

Fashioned an opening immediately after coming on and looked to take the game to Liverpool when in possession. Deservedly got a goal to his name with a neat finish from close range late on. 8

James Maddison (Rodrigo Bentancur, 60)

Tried to get Spurs back into the game with some efforts from distance and helped them in the final third. 6

Oliver Skipp (Emerson Royal, 60)

Introduced at left-back in place of Emerson and had a role to play in Son's goal after picking out Richarlison. 6

Giovani Lo Celso (Pape Matar Sarr, 75)

Introduced for the closing stages and helped up the tempo in midfield. 6

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