Ryan Sessegnon is a player who has had some mixed form this season, which hasn't been helped by numerous injuries. However, the 21-year-old is getting more of an opportunity under Antonio Conte, with Sergio Reguilon now being out injured.
Sessegnon has made 12 Premier League appearances so far this season, registering two assists, with his second of the season coming on Saturday. Tottenham drew 1-1 against Liverpool at Anfield, in a game where Antonio Conte's side produced a solid performance against a team battling for the league title.
During the trip north, Sessegnon did well down the left flank, making a key pass and producing four crosses. The wing-back also displayed a solid defensive performance, making five tackles and three clearances.
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There were some sloppy moments involved in his 78-minute performance against Jurgen Klopp's side though, with a miscued header forcing Hugo Lloris into a save early on. However, as the game went on, Sessegnon seemed to grow in confidence and it allowed him to make more of an impact in the clash.
Going into the fixture, Tottenham's front three of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski had all been performing well, contributing to both goals and assists. However, Liverpool also have the benefit of a strong attacking trio, which Sessegnon had to deal with on the left-hand side.
For most of the game the 21-year-old did this well and admitted this in his post match interview. "I think we kept them [Liverpool] at arm's reach throughout the whole game, kept their front three very quiet today and ultimately we're disappointed we didn't win the game," he said, when speaking to Spurs TV.
Sessegnon had to deal with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold during the game and he did a very good job of it for large spells. "We had to be concentrated the whole game, especially in the wide areas," the wing-back admitted to Stadium Astro. "Salah's been in great form this season so I had to constantly check my shoulders. He made those darting runs in between me and Ben Davies.
"We know from one side of the pitch they close a lot so the space for me the space is on the other side for me and when the ball gets switched over, Trent leaves a lot of space in the wide areas and that's what I tried to do - attack him and tried to get crosses in. I think I did well today defensively, a few sloppy touches here and there that he [Salah] got inside but again, as a team collectively, I think we did well," he added.
Klopp criticised Conte's tactics during Saturday's game, but the Spurs side produced the right game plan to get an unlikely point at Anfield. Sessegnon commented on this plan after the game, saying: "The gaffer said we have to be brave on the ball when we come here [Anfield] and at times, we put some good patterns of play and attacked well. We had a few chances to win the game, but it wasn't meant to be today," he explained.
Conte has already made big improvements to the Spurs squad and the 21-year-old also commented on the mentality change in the team, since his arrival. "We see that every day in training, the standards have gone up," the wing-back admitted.
"We've taken six points against Man City this season and then two points against Liverpool. The expectations going higher every game and that's why we're so disappointed."
The Italian also delivered praise for Sessegnon's recent improvement, in his pre match press conference, ahead of Thursday's North London Derby. "Ryan is a player that has great potential," Conte said.
"Physically he is really strong and it's very difficult to beat him in one v one. Defensively he has reached an important level, because he showed great attention during the game.
"Ryan is a young player and is having a good performance. I'm happy for him because he's a really good guy and he works very hard," the 52-year-old added.
Sessegnon has shown his determination, which has clearly been noticed by Conte and after the Liverpool clash, he shared his disappointment with the fact he had to come off before the end of the game. "I was obviously exhausted, did a lot of running in [the] game.
"I want to play the whole night of course but me being on a yellow card, it was probably sensible for me to come off. I think being out the team for so long and then to come back, it's going to take a little bit of time but I'm back in it now and I'm feeling good."
The 21-year-old's comments indicate his growing confidence and that it may just be the run of games that he needs, in Reguilon's absence, to help him find his form again. Sessegnon's assist was registered in Tottenham's only goal of the game, as he squared the ball to Son Heung-min, who tapped it into the back of the net.
The defender was asked if he had thought about taking a shot himself but admitted that a shot had "never even come to my mind". Sessegnon will be hoping he can play the full 90 minutes in the Lilywhites' next fixture.
This opportunity will come in just a couple of days, as Spurs welcome Arsenal to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the rescheduled North London Derby. This is a massive game for both sides, who are both still battling for a spot inside the top four.
The clash will require much more fight and desire from the Tottenham side, than they showed in the reverse fixture, which Arsenal won 3-1. Conte's message of being 'brave on the ball' will be something the Lilywhites also need to take into Thursday's tie, where they will hope to secure all three points.
