Tottenham Hotspur take the 1-0 lead going into the Carabao Cup second leg in controversial fashion against Liverpool.
The game started slow with an injury coming to Rodrigo Bentancur while delayed the game by 10 minutes for a injury but after that the game was very even with both teams struggling to break either team down and a real lack of quality when it came to the final third of the pitch.
Second half was no different with both teams defending well and both teams struggling to break the deadlock.
This would change late into the half when Dominik Solanke was put through on goal and would bury the chance but it was deemed offside by VAR and we saw the first action of the referee announcing to the stadium.
A bit later on Lucas Bergvall would take out Kostas Tsimkas on a Liverpool counter-attack but controversially not be given a second yellow and minutes later would be the first scorer of the match to put Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 up.
In the last 10 minutes Liverpool were pushing for the equaliser but Spurs defended well and held onto there lead going to Anfield next month.
The second leg of the Carabao Cup is on the 6th February at Anfield.
Alisson Becker - 5
An overall quite game for Alisson as he made just the two saves in the game and could not do anything about the goal due to the close proximity but on the ball he looked a bit shaky in the second half which is unlike the keeper everyone knows.
He gifted Pedro Porro a chance late on but was sparred by his captain Virgil Van Dijk.
Conor Bradley - 7
A much needed rest for Trent Alexander-Arnold after a really poor performance and that left an opportunity which the Northern Irish took as he was really good today, positive in his attacking while being really strong in his defending making some really good tackles.
Jarell Quansah - 5
Jarell Quansah was taken off in the 30th minute but only played about 15 minutes due to a head injury to Bentancur but Quansah gave the ball away a couple times when he was playing and came off injured.
Virgil Van Dijk - 8
My MOTM for Liverpool today just an absolute rock at the back and pretty much impossible to beat one on one and really good in the air, any of Spurs that were near him he swept up and in a defence that made a load of mistakes he was the one consistent player who also bailed out his teammates.
Kostas Tsimikas - 6
First part of the game the Greek looked really shaky but coming off an injury that is to be expected and he slowly warmed into the game and really attacked the left hand side of the pitch well, and put in some really good deliveries from set pieces.
So consistent in this Liverpool side putting up good performances everytime he is on the pitch, was Liverpool's best player last game and not far off it this game.
Just so good when pressed and relives so much pressure off the team.
Ryan Gravenberch - 7
Another good performance from the Dutch midfielder breaking the lines from defence to midfield and being such a good ball carrier.
Curtis Jones - 5
Another pretty poor performance from Jones who looked quite lost out there in the game for the second time in a week and Dominik Szobozlai coming back will be really needed for Liverpool to give Jones a break.
Mohamed Salah - 5
One of the first poor performances of the season from Salah today in a game that was predicted goals you would think he would shine but that was not to be and Djed Spence defended him really well today to the point that Salah could not get a sniff.
Cody Gakpo - 7
Probably Liverpool's best starting forward today and really went at Pedro Poro but just did not have the end product it needed but everything from Liverpool's attack in the first half came down the Dutchman's side.
Diogo Jota - 5
A really quite game for the Portuguese who is struggling to get a consistent run of game in the frontline with so much competition but is still the best finisher in the side.
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Liverpool Substitutes
Watru Endo - 7
Coming on at centre half Endo did really well dealing with Solanke all game playing out from the back and just looked really comfortable.
Darwin Nunez - 7
Looked really lively when coming on onto the pitch and created more in 30 minutes than Jota made in 60 minutes but lacked a really good opportunity that he could tuck away.
After one of his worst performances in a Liverpool shirt against Manchester United the right back responded really well and changed Liverpool's game when he came on due to his quality on the ball.
Luis Diaz - 7
Was also really bright when he came on the pitch causing the Spurs defence a lot of problems just could not quite get the goal the team needed.
Ibrahima Konate - 5
Came on in the last 10 minutes of the game and did not look great and probably should have done better for the goal with Solanke shrugging him off/




