Player Ratings: Virgil Van Dijk Shines Despite Liverpool’s Struggles Against Tottenham Hotspur | OneFootball

Tottenham 1 – 0 Liverpool Carabao Cup Semi-final 1st Leg Player Ratings

The Carabao Cup semi-finals started with a north London bang last night, as Arsenal lost 0-2 at home to Newcastle in the first leg of their tie. The second semi-final started with Gunner’s local rivals, Spurs, hosting the current Premier League leaders, Liverpool, following a 3-6 win by the visiting Reds in their league fixture a few weeks back.

The lineup and subsequent ratings are listed below.

Alisson Becker – 6.0

The world-class Brazilian was largely untested through a routine first half, with only a sporadic array of work to deal with after a fine reactive save from a deflected Son Heung-min effort.

Photo: IMAGO

After the restart, the former Roma man was nearly caught out in possession, as he was robbed of the ball in his penalty area before Virgil blocked the resulting shot. The opening goal was well taken and the veteran Kepler could not be blamed.

Conor Bradley – 6.0

Bradley started with energy and purpose as he looked to gallop down the flank at every opportunity.

In the second half, the young fullback was lively before leaving the field.

Subbed – 60 mins

Kostas Tsimikas – 7.0

The Greek international fullback was combative and committed in his defensive work, as the game flung from end to end. His ability to deliver good balls into the box was one of the few highlights of the first half, as he looked to provide for the game’s opening goal.

Photo: IMAGO

After the halftime break, the popular backup was very busy with his work and provided a constant outlet on the left-hand side.

Jarell Quansah – 6.0

The England under-21 defender was recalled as more senior servants recovered from injury and fatigue. At the start of the game, the promising centre-back was looking confident until his unfortunate injury.

Subbed – 30 mins

Virgil van Dijk – 8.0

The captain and leader of this team were commanding and vocal, as the game state created an open affair. His presence and organization of the rearguard were effective against a side that struggled to create much in the opening 45 minutes.

In the second period of the game, the former Celtic man was the last man standing after his keeper, Alisson Becker, lost possession of the ball in the penalty area forcing the giant Duct skipper to block the resulting shot. The opening goal was unfortunate, however, despite a last-ditch lunge the skipper could not avert the game’s only goal.

Man of the match

Ryan Gravenberch – 6.0

The Duch midfielder was alert and quick on the ball as the frenetic middle ground accelerated through the first half.

After the break, the former Ajax prodigy was efficient if unspectacular as his diligent manner in the central areas was more about good positional sense than creation. A late effort from a distance stung the keeper’s hands.

Curtis Jones – 5.0

The former England under-21 captain was keen to move the ball quicker than at the weekend with much of his efforts being spent in closing the ball down.

In the second 45 minutes, the former academy graduate was a little disappointed as he seemed to drift through the half without offering too much of anything positive.

Alexis Mac Allister – 7.0

The Argentina World Cup World Cup winner was nearly the opening scorer, as he headed straight at the opposing keeper from a well-taken free kick. His control and passing were crisp as the cup game flowed at a high speed.

Photo: IMAGO

In the second half of this game, the former Brighton man nearly opened the scoring again after he reacted to a cleared Trent Alexander Arnold effort, only for his eventual shot to bounce wide of the Spurs goal.

Subbed – 80 mins

Diogo Jota – 5.0

The Portuguese attacker started as the centre forward and was perhaps overly keen to make something happen, with moments of possession being lost in transition.

After the restart, the former Wolves man was largely anonymous as he failed to make a clinical impression.

Subbed – 60 mins

Cody Gakpo – 6.0

The Dutch forward started on the left of an attacking front three with a licence to sift into the middle. The highlight of his first-half showing was a rapid counterattack that ended with the towing forward unleashing a powerful effort from distance, one which nearly crept through the arms of the opposing keeper.

After the halftime break, the former PSV man was unlucky not to get on the end of a well-flighted Mohamed Salah cross.

Subbed – 60 mins

Mohamed Salah – 6.0

The Egyptian King was the man in Red who had the first real opportunity, however, his long-range effort sneaked wide of the target. There was a limited amount of chances for the Reds talisman to shine in a disjointed attacking half.

After the intermission, the record-breaking goalscorer was nearly the opening goal provider as he cut inside to deliver a far post cross that was just too high for the advancing Cody Gakpo.

Substitutions;

Wataru Endō – 6.0 (on 30)

Came on and defended with maturity and experience, before later moving into his preferred defensive midfield role.

Darwin Núñez – 5.0 (on 60)

Came on to add chaos and had a couple of good efforts saved.

Luis Díaz – 5.0 (on 60)

Came on to excite and penetrate.

Trent Alexander Arnold – 8.0 (on 60)

Came on to excite and nearly scored an absurd effort across the goalmouth. A good bounce-back display with a fine variety of creations from wide.

Ibrahima Konaté – 5.0 (on 80)

Came on to add more defensive solidity, however, he looked off the pace and couldn’t deal with Dominic Solanke for the game’s only goal.

The Manager;

Arne Slot – 6.0

The Dutch manager was always going to get a strong line into this game with the FA Cup tie with Accrington Stanley at the weekend.

All the substitutions were reactive and he was keen to further protect Ibrahima Konaté despite the early injury to Jarell Quansah.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction;

Tottenham 2 – 2 Liverpool