Here’s how we rated the Reds following a hard-fought draw with Tottenham Hotspur in Jurgen Klopp’s first game in charge…
We couldn’t make the most of a positive start, but stayed strong when Spurs came at us either side of the break and looked the most likely team to nick it late on.
With Jordan Henderson, Daniel Sturridge, Christian Benteke, Danny Ings and Roberto Firmino all out, this was a really good result to start the Klopp tenure, and the encouraging team performance is reflected in our player ratings – with no player earning lower than a six for their efforts…
GK) Simon Mignolet – 8/10
Mignolet could be on borrowed time if Klopp agrees with most of us about the Belgian’s unreliability, but he was very solid today and made one crucial save in each half to deny N’Jie and Kane.
DR) Nathaniel Clyne – 7/10
Restored to a traditional full-back role as Klopp reverted to a four-man defence as expected. Aside from one miscommunication with Skrtel in the first half, he barely put a foot wrong and held his own in footraces with Rose and N’Jie – both of whom can really motor.
DC) Martin Skrtel – 6/10
Stayed touch tight to Kane from the off. Won some battles with the England forward and lost others, but was more error prone than usual and we need him to be at his best to tighten up under Klopp.
DC) Mamadou Sakho – 8/10
Was excellent alongside Skrtel as we kept our first clean sheet in eight games. Won several towering headers and was better on the ball than usual, but his best contribution was a fantastic block from Dele Alli when Mignolet was still grounded following a save from Kane. A huge moment in the game.
DL) Alberto Moreno – 6/10
Poised for a long run in the team because of Joe Gomez’s injury, and his eagerness to bomb forward will be really important in a Klopp team which otherwise looks short of width. Got himself into a couple of defensive pickles only to buy himself clever fouls on each occasion – but he did test my nerves!
SEE MORE:
Spurs 0-0 Liverpool video report: Mignolet MOTM as Reds begin Klopp era with rare clean sheet
Jürgen Klopp : Reds’ Last Hope or Marriage of Equals?
Five Liverpool players who should thrive under Jurgen Klopp
DMC) Lucas Leiva – 8/10
This was the Lucas that we know and love. We owe our clean sheet as much to him as we do the centre-backs because he was top-class protecting the defence and restricting Eriksen’s room. Unfairly booked late on when he took the ball cleanly off Kane – but that does not mar what was a cracking display.
MC) Emre Can – 7/10
Great to see him used in the midfield role where he looks most natural. Excites us when he drives forward with the ball and continues to be a threat from set pieces. Could be a key player under Klopp.
MC) James Milner – 6/10
Our skipper put in a couple of thumping challenges early on to set the tone for the Klopp tenure, and led the rest of the lads with the intense early pressing game that showed we were really up for it. His energy was infectious as the lads bought into the pressing game. Passing – not so good on the whole.
AMR) Adam Lallana – 6.5/10
Playing in a narrow forward role, Lallana started really brightly and maintained his energy levels when pressing the ball for 70 minutes – encouraging when he has had fitness problems. But could have done more going forward and made one mistake in our half which would have cost us a goal but for Mignolet.
AML) Philippe Coutinho – 6.5/10
Our little magician looked the most likely to make something happen for us – not surprising in a team that was missing Sturridge, Benteke and Henderson. Found a few holes behind the Spurs midfield late on and might have been able to pick a defence-splitting pass had Sturridge’s movement been on offer.
ST) Divock Origi – 6/10
Doesn’t look ready to lead the line yet. Went on a couple of bright runs in wide areas, and that might be where Klopp chooses to use him when Sturridge and Benteke return to fitness – hopefully soon. Hit the crossbar with a header early on and could not react quickly enough to net the rebound.
Substitutes
Joe Allen – 6/10
Came on for his 100th Liverpool appearance when Klopp made his first substitution 12 minutes from time. Recycled play well a few times as we applied some late pressure.
Jordon Ibe – 6/10
Provided an injection of pace off the bench in the final five minutes or so, and his positive runs helped us look like the team most likely to take maximum points late on.