Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool put a foot firmly in the quarter-finals of the English League Cup for the 5th consecutive year this season. A brace from England international Daniel Sturridge was enough for the Reds to knock Mauricio Pochettino’s men out of the competition on a night when just one player kept his place from the games at the weekend from both sides. This loss ended Tottenham’s domestic unbeaten streak while Liverpool extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games in all competitions.
Here are the player ratings for the Liverpool players in this game at Anfield:
Simon Mignolet (6):
Put in a solid performance where he dominated his box on the night. Unlucky not to keep a clean sheet as he did enough to shut the Spurs out from open play.
Trent-Alexander Arnold (7):
Making his debut for the senior side, Arnold was splendid at the right-back spot on the night as he played a role in the first goal and stuck to his task to help his side beat the visitors.
Lucas Leiva (6):
Spoilt his spotless performance on the night by giving away a silly penalty with a foul on substitute Erik Lamela to set up a nervy finish to a comfortable night.
Ragnar Klavan (6):
Took a couple of risks in possession of the ball but stayed strong and denied the visitors any space and time on the ball on the night.
Alberto Moreno (6):
He did his usual self-marking at both ends of the field. Made a couple of superb challenges but not convincing enough to replace Milner in the first XI for Liverpool.
Kevin Stewart (6):
Stuck to his task on the night against his former club as he provided decent cover for the back four. Lost possession at times but put in a decent performance for a winning cause.
Marko Grujic (7):
His drive into the box created Daniel Sturridge’s first goal of the game as he put in a fine performance in the middle of the field for Liverpool on a comfortable night for the youngster.
Georginio Wijnaldum (6):
Starting his first game after the injury, Wijnaldum put in a decent shift on the night as he controlled the midfield and added some mettle to his side in the middle of the park.
Ovie Ejaria (6):
Showed no nerves in the middle of the park as he was comfortable in possession at both ends of the field and helped his side to a victory.
Divock Origi (7):
Showed his range of skill and passing on a night where he was unlucky to not get himself on the score-sheet inspite of putting in a decent performance.
Daniel Sturridge (8):
The Man of the Match on the night for Liverpool, Sturridge was back in form, scoring a brace, including his first goal at the renovated Anfield as he lifted Liverpool to yet another League Cup quarter-final this season. Shame that he could not complete his hat-trick.
Subs:
Danny Ings (6):
Showed that he can be a potent weapon for Klopp as he came close to scoring twice in the last 15 minutes of the game that he got under his belt.
Nathaniel Clyne (6):
The first choice right back for Liverpool, Clyne, came into the game with around 15 minutes to go but had to put in a solid shift at the end with the Spurs setting up a nervy finish.
Emre Can (6):
Came onto the field in the penultimate minute of the game and provided some excitement in the final third in stoppage time.