The half-time whistle has sounded at Anfield and that means it’s time for our first-half player ratings from Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs face a trip to Anfield in the Sunday sun, but Liverpool has been far from a happy hunting ground for the Lilywhites in recent years. To make matters worse, Tottenham are currently all the way down in 16th in the Premier League table, while the Reds are looking to lift the trophy itself this very afternoon.
Let’s take a look at how the individual Tottenham players got on in that first 45 with ratings from 1-10.
Tottenham first-half player ratings vs Liverpool
Guglielmo Vicario – The Italian couldn’t do anything about the Liverpool goals, to be fair. 5.
Djed Spence – Was barely in the game in the first half, beyond the odd defensive run on the cover. Most of the attacking and defending came down the other side. 4.
Kevin Danso – The scoreline doesn’t flatter him, but Danso always looks nice and composed on the ball when he plays. Both of the first two goals came down the left side, although he did narrowly play Szoboszlai onside for the first one. Didn’t deserve to concede three goals. 5.
Ben Davies – Liverpool can cut you open in the blink of an eye, and that’s what happened on Davies’ side. No major gaffes from the Welshman, but he struggled with the pace of Salah and Gakpo. Davies was fuming with some of his Spurs midfielders at times, with some weak challenges going on. 3.
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Destiny Udogie – Slightly surprised not to see Spence up against Salah after he played him so well last time. Udogie struggled, but most people do against the Liverpool star. Grew into the half, and Salah had less and less joy, but the damage was done early. 3.
Archie Gray – Lost his man Szoboszlai to allow Liverpool in behind to make it 1-1. Barely had a kick of the ball in a rare midfield outing. Tottenham missed the composure of Rodrigo Bentancur in the first half. 4.
Lucas Bergvall – Almost ducked out of the clearing header that fell to Gakpo for Liverpool’s third. Really struggled to impose himself on a talented and physical Liverpool midfield three. His best moments came on the turn when playing quick balls over the top. 4.
James Maddison – Swung in an inviting corner for Solanke to power home as Spurs opened the scoring. Had a couple of nice early forays forward, but was soon smothered out of the game as Liverpool ran rampant. 6.
Brennan Johnson – Barely had a kick in that first half. Brennan rarely shines on the ball, and Tottenham didn’t give him anything to attack in behind. The one time he did get in behind, he flashed a dangerous ball across the box that Solanke and Tel should have perhaps turned home. 4.
Dominic Solanke – No one expected that, now did they? On Liverpool’s big day, Solanke rose highest from the corner to power a header home and put Tottenham 1-0 up. A huge moment for Solanke ahead of the Europa League semi-final. He hasn’t been among the goals of late. 6.