Liverpool were forced to settle for a frustrating 1-1 draw against a struggling Tottenham side as the Reds’ recent defensive vulnerabilities resurfaced at Anfield. While Dominik Szoboszlai provided a moment of individual brilliance with his record-breaking free-kick, the night ended in disappointment with a 90th-minute equaliser from Richarlison ensured the points were shared
In a dream scenario, Sunday’s match-up between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur would have seen Arne Slot’s Reds convincingly put a hapless Spurs to the sword at Anfield.
In reality, Liverpool ended up having to settle for a disappointing 1-1 draw, as Richarlison equalised at the death, after Dominik Szoboszlai’s first-half free kick looked to be the jaw-dropping winner.
It should have gone down as a memorable match-winning strike from the magical Hungarian, but instead, the moment was ruined by the ex-Everton striker having the final laugh.
Here are the full-time ReadLiverpool match ratings, as several Reds players struggled to get going against Igor Tudor’s relegation candidates.
Alisson – 7
Alisson didn’t look rusty whatsoever coming back into the first team ranks against Spurs, after being absent in the Champions League through injury.
The Brazilian was agonisingly close to a clean sheet after racking up five crucial saves to keep Spurs at bay. However, his international teammate Richarlison finally breached the defense, slotting home an equaliser just as the game drifted into stoppage time.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 9
Szoboszlai was arguably Liverpool’s man of the match when assessing the draw at Anfield.
While his stunning free-kick past Guglielmo Vicario captured the headlines, Szoboszlai’s influence extended far beyond that moment of magic. He was the heartbeat of the side for the full 90 minutes, dictating play with a massive 113 touches.
Beyond his obvious creative spark, he showed his grit by winning three duels, proving he was just as committed to the dirty work as he was to the spectacular.
Joe Gomez – 5
His defensive partner in Gomez endured a far more shaky afternoon, in contrast, when winning only two duels.
Giving away possession 12 times, as well, Spurs would have grown in confidence the more the game went on, knowing they were facing an unsure Gomez at the back.
Virgil Van Dijk – 7
Van Dijk put in a vintage defensive shift, winning six duels to anchor the Liverpool backline. He barely put a foot wrong for the duration of the match, making it all the more painful when Richarlison’s late strike rendered the captain’s defensive masterclass a mere footnote in a shared result.
Andy Robertson – 5
Robertson was arguably at fault for the leveller, as he was far too weak in the build-up, before Richarlison was found in space to slot home.
Failing to win a single tackle during the disappointing draw, as well, Milos Kerkez could fancy his chances of an immediate first-team return against Galatasary on Wednesday in the Champions League.
Ryan Gravenberch – 7
Gravenberch was more in the encouraging Van Dijk bracket when looking back on the 1-1 draw, with two shots at Vicario’s net from the midfielder at least testing the Italian.
He didn’t add a goal or assist to his Premier League tally for the season, though, but he wasn’t notably below-par.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
Mac Allister put in a far weaker second-half display, in contrast, as he couldn’t muster up a single key pass after accumulating two in the first 45 minutes.
Jeremie Frimpong – 6
Much like Mac Allister, who was taken off towards the end of the 1-1 draw, Frimpong didn’t last the full 90 minutes, due to an unconvincing display when venturing forward.
Just one successful dribble would be pulled off by the usual lightning-quick number 30, but he did win five duels for his team’s cause.
Florian Wirtz – 6
Wirtz follows in the footsteps of his previous teammates in being another indifferent Reds midfield figure who wouldn’t last the full match.
He did amass four key passes for his troubles, but the Spurs’ defence was unexpectedly rigid throughout, leading to the German looking frustrated.
Rio Nguhoma – 7
Nguhoma was arguably the brightest spark of a goal-shy Liverpool attack against Tudor’s spirited visitors.
Pulling off a remarkable seven successful dribbles, he just couldn’t finish off one of these mazey bursts forward with a goal.
Cody Gakpo – 5
Gakpo was also left frustrated with his lack of a goal against Spurs, despite hitting three efforts at Vicario’s goal.
He came off with seven minutes left of normal time, as Slot’s experimentation in throwing him in as the lone marksman didn’t work.
Substitutes
Hugo Ekitike – 6
Ekitike didn’t fare much better in front of goal when given a late second-half run-out, with his two shots on goal not enough to hand Liverpool a dramatic win.
Curtis Jones – 6
Looking to inject a fresh dynamic into the number ten role, the manager turned to Curtis Jones, who replaced Florian Wirtz. The substitution was a clear attempt to offer the Reds a different creative profile as they searched for a late breakthrough but it wasn’t enough in the end.
Mohamed Salah – 6
Salah tried his very best to be an impact player when handed 20 minutes or so from off the bench, as three shots were fired in quick succession to try and catch Vicario napping.
Trey Nyoni – 6
Having already gained late-game experience against West Ham at Anfield to close out February, Nyoni is fast becoming a familiar face in the Premier League’s closing stages.
Similar to Jones, the youngster looked remarkably composed on the ball, though he struggled to truly unsettle a disciplined Spurs backline in the final minutes.
Federico Chiesa – N/A
Chiesa was only on the pitch for a mere minute of normal time.
