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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Dan Kilpatrick

Tottenham player ratings vs Liverpool: Eric Dier imperious as Emerson Royal has best Spurs game

Tottenham derailed Liverpool’s title bid with a gutsy and tactically-disciplined 1-1 draw at Anfield.

Heung-min Son finished from close range to give the visitors the lead just before the hour but Luis Diaz’s deflected effort levelled for the Reds 15 minutes from time.

Spurs withstood a late barrage to seal a hard-earned Premier League point, although a fourth-place finish is no longer in their hands.

Dan Kilpatrick was at Anfield to run the rule over the Spurs players...

Hugo Lloris 8

Clawed Sessegnon’s wayward header off his line and made a sprawling save to deny Diaz, while setting the tone with his brave playing out from the back. Powerless to stop the deflected goal.

Cristian Romero 8

Appeared to relish playing out from the back and attempting to beat Liverpool’s press, even if there were a couple of hairy moments. Throw himself in front of cross after cross and shot after shot.

Eric Dier 9

An imperious display in the heart of the back three. Superb in the air and led Spurs’ brave approach to playing out.

Ben Davies 8

In the right place to made a string of clearances and blocks, notably throwing himself in front of Salah’s shot shortly before the equaliser.

Emerson Royal 9

So often a weak link, the Brazilian had his best game for Spurs, defending resolutely and attacking with purpose. His long punt helped to make Son’s goal. Look out for the highlights reel.

(Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I)

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 9

Magnificent at shielding the back five in a gutsy performance. Disrupted countless Liverpool attacks and nearly scored a fine goal, striking the base of the post from 30 yards.

Rodrigo Bentancur 7

Occasionally looked surprised by the pace and intensity of Liverpool’s press but got up and down tirelessly. Tested Alisson early on when he might have done better.

Dejan Kulusevski 7

The conduit for many of Spurs’ most promising counter-attacks, especially in the first half. Quieter after the interval but put in a real shift down the right flank.

Ryan Sessegnon 8

A performance to justify Conte’s faith in the young wing-back. Initially looked nervous but made the goal with a composed cross and dealt maturely with the threat of Mohamed Salah.

Heung-min Son 7

Scored the goal and worked tirelessly but failed to make the most of a couple of promising positions in transition.

Harry Kane 7

A yard off the pace, which hampered Spurs’ ability to play on the counter. Regardless, he made the goal with a wonderful touch and unselfish pass to Sessegnon.

Subs

Davinson Sanchez (Sessegnon 76’) 7

Played his part in an important late rearguard.

Harry Winks (Kulusevski 85’) 7

Initially surprised by the game’s pace but nearly had a crucial say with a deep cross which should have led to a late winner.

Steven Bergwijn (Son 90’) N/A

Ran at Liverpool threateningly in a brief cameo.

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