Tottenham bowed out of the EFL Cup with a 2-1 defeat at Anfield on Tuesday evening. Here’s how we rated the Spurs players in their loss to Liverpool.
Michel Vorm: 8
Made a string of good saves, denying Daniel Sturridge twice, Divock Origi and later Danny Ings, and cannot be faulted for either of Liverpool’s goals. He proved he is a ready-made top-class deputy for Hugo Lloris and can do the job whenever called upon.
Kieran Trippier: 7
Another player who slotted comfortably into the side, in place of Kyle Walker. Trippier showed he has the potential to be just as defensively solid and as much of an attacking asset as Walker if he were given a lengthy run of games.
Cameron Carter-Vickers: 6
The American was handed his first real taste of top-level football in a fierce environment and coped pretty well, but his positioning and reactions lacked the awareness and timing that are only gained through experience. He might have cut out the deflected cross that fell to Sturridge for the opener.
Kevin Wimmer: 6
Struggled against Sturridge and, given his performances last season, he can do better. He was caught out for the second goal and appears to be lacking match-sharpness, which is to be expected given his lack of game time.
Ben Davies: 7
Like Trippier, Davies can slot straight into the side with minimal fuss and he showed that again at Anfield. His link-up play with the midfield and his running beyond into attack is always intelligent.
Eric Dier: 6
Spoke last week about emulating Javier Mascherano as someone who can thrive in different positions from one week to the next. But he did not control the midfield on or off the ball in the way Tottenham and his midfield partner Harry Winks needed him to.
Harry Winks: 7
Boss Mauricio Pochettino is a big fan of Winks and has been eager to get him into the team for some time. The player showed glimpses of why, with some classy touches and coolness in possession. But he’s another who needs much more first-team football.
Josh Onomah: 5
Another player Pochettino is a big fan of and wants to use more, but Onomah is yet to pose a real threat in a game. He often lost the ball with stray passes and loose touches.
Tom Carroll: 5
Ineffective – and part of the reason Spurs struggled to create chances. Number 10 is not his natural position but as one of the more experienced players in the first XI, more was expected of him. The wait goes on for Carroll to show why successive managers have rated him.
Georges-Kevin N’Koudou: 5
Should not be blamed for the first goal; he was unlucky to slip and lose possession from which Liverpool swiftly broke and scored. N’Koudou looked capable on the ball at times but needs to find confidence to show the skill and clever invention he possesses. On this occasion, it was a disappointing night for him.
Vincent Janssen: 7
Often looked clumsy, but his ferocious pursuit of chances and goals is commendable. He never stopped working for his team and showed a cool head in front of goal by scoring a penalty. He needs some goals from open play to really kick-start his Spurs career, however.
Erik Lamela: 7
Highlighted the chasm in class and experience between him and the youngsters on his arrival in the 63rd minute. His energy helped Spurs get back in the game and his trickery won the penalty from which Janssen scored. Further cleverness in the box should have earned them a second spot-kick too.
Victor Wanyama: 7
Came on for all of 20 minutes or so but immediately changed the game, stomping about the pitch, winning tackles and turning over possession for his side in the way Dier should have, pushing Spurs on to attack.
Shayon Harrison 6
The 19-year-old also got his first taste of top-level football as a late substitute and showed some nice touches and passes. But he was like a rabbit caught in headlights when he was found totally unmarked in the box and could have equalised but failed to control the ball late on.