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Although Mauricio Pochettino praised his players, this felt like a return to earth for Tottenham. Their last game here at White Hart Lane, three weeks before, was when they ran through Manchester City, beating them 4-1.
They could not summon the same intensity for the arrival of Liverpool, but then they were not allowed to. The visitors had a point to prove to their new manager, and looked desperate not to lose.
Spurs have played some brilliant big games here under Pochettino but they cannot produce football that compelling every time. On Saturday they took 25 minutes to string anything together, as they were outrun by a Liverpool team trying to play in the same counterattacking style. Only when Liverpool’s intensity dropped could Spurs create, but nothing they did was good enough to beat Simon Mignolet in the away goal. Harry Kane worked hard up front, but so far lacks the confidence of last season.
“Harry was good,” said Pochettino afterwards. “We expect Harry to score every time he touches the ball. He works a lot, and the goal is coming.”
Show all 22 1 /22Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings TOTTENHAM: Hugo Lloris: 6 out of 10 Did not have many saves to make but difficult to criticise. Kicked well and provided a safe pair of hands when called upon.
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Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Kyle Walker: 6 out of 10 A typically hit and miss display from the full back. Sloppy in possession on occasion but also in key defensive positions on others.
Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Toby Alderweireld: 6 out of 10 Coped well under intense pressure when in possession but was unsure of himself when Origi attacked with pace.
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Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Jan Vertonghen: 6 out of 10 Calm and composed in possession, the Belgian marshalled his back line well and ensured that Spurs were not overrun.
Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Danny Rose: 7 out of 10 Had the look of a man determined to cement his place in the side. Excellent delivery into the area and caused Milner plenty of problems.
Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Mousa Dembele: 6 out of 10 The absence of Eric Dier was felt yet while Dembele did not look wholly at home in his central role he was not entirely out of his depth.
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Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Dele Alli: 7 out of 10 Continues to impress. Nothing seems to faze the newly capped England international.
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Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Erik Lamela: 7 out of 10 Boundless energy was combined with a real grit by the Argentine. He was never shy to get stuck in and embodies Pochettino's high pressing system.
Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Christian Eriksen: 7 out of 10 An excellent display, the Dane's vision in the final third is exemplary. Can find Kane's run like no-one else in Tottenham's side.
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Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Nacer Chadli: N/A Withdrawn early on through injury.
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Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Harry Kane: 6 out of 10 Isolated at times, but relished the battle with Liverpool's central defenders. Could have made more of the few sights of goal that he had.
Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings LIVERPOOL: Simon Mignolet: 6 out of 10 A hit and miss display from the goalkeeper. Careless kicking contrasted with fine reflex saves. If he could iron out such inconsistencies he would be a fine goalkeeper.
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Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Nathaniel Clyne: 5 out of 10 Struggled to cope with N'Jie's footwork at times but was not entirely overrun by his opposite number. Held his own.
Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Martin Skrtel: 6 out of 10 Caught out on a couple of occasions but made sure Kane could not get a foothold in the game. Fought for every ball like it was the last.
Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Mamadou Sakho: 7 out of 10 Constantly in the right place a the right time, the Frenchman made a series of crucial blocks. Passed well.
Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Alberto Moreno: 5 out of 10 Can neglect his defensive duties when he gets caught up in an attack. Needs to have more composure in his own third.
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Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Emre Can: 7 out of 10 Very fired up early on, Can relished his midfield role and his high energy pressing will have him endeared him to countryman Klopp.
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Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Lucas Leiva: 5 out of 10 The Brazilian will struggle to command a place in the side once everyone is fit.
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Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings James Milner: 5 out of 10 In the wars for most of the game, Milner was treated to some rough treatment but also dished out a bit of his own.
Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Philippe Coutinho: 6 out of 10 The onus was on the Brazilian to create and he drifted across the front line into some encouraging positions but did not provide the moment of magic that he is commonly associated with.
Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Adam Lallana: 6 out of 10 Fortunate that his error did not gift Spurs a goal in the first half. Although guilty of errors in possession he threatened in the final third but could not find a breakthrough.
Tottenham 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings Divock Origi: 6 out of 10 The striker was full of running but looked short of confidence. His pace troubled Spurs but his finishing did not. Unfortunate to hit the bar from close range.
The best chance fell to Clinton Njie, who forced a good save from Mignolet, but Spurs missed the direct running of Heung-min Son. Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela were not at their best, and Nacer Chadli limped off with an ankle ligament injury.
“I am very happy and pleased with the players,” Pochettino added. “It was a big effort. We are still young.”
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