Liverpool fell to their first defeat in 24 matches as Lucas Bergvall struck an 86th-minute winner to hand Tottenham an advantage in their Carabao Cup tie. Both sides struggled for moments of quality in the first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Arne Slot's players had not lost since their 1-0 Premier League defeat to Nottingham Forest in September. Bergvall fired Dominic Solanke's pass beyond Alisson, although Liverpool were furious that the Swedish teenager had been allowed to stay on having committed a rash foul which on a yellow card moments earlier.
The league leaders have far bigger worries, though, with four of their starters underwhelming and scoring 5/10 in Express Sport's player ratings. Here is how we rated the Liverpool players.
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Alisson - 5
The Liverpool goalkeeper looked untypically unassured in possession. His dithering gifted Pedro Porro a duo of second-half chances. That was a near-fatal error in an extremely tight match.
Conor Bradley - 6
Bradley is a genuine contender to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, even if he is a different profile of right-back. His combative performances make him a better defender than his elder statesman.
Jarell Quansah - 6
Quansah was withdrawn early in the first half with a possible muscle injury.
Virgil van Dijk - 6
Van Dijk perhaps gave too much room to Bergvall to exploit for Spurs' late goal - but the blame lies with substitute Ibrahima Konate.
Kostas Tsimikas - 7
Tsimikas has been unfortunate not to earn more game time this season, particularly with Andy Robertson facing scrutiny for his performances. The Greek produced a couple of excellent crosses.
Alexis Mac Allister - 7
Mac Allister worked hard to support Liverpool's attacks and came close to scoring with a first-half header. He was taken off before Spurs' goal.
Ryan Gravenberch - 5
This was an off night from Liverpool’s Player of the Season. His longer passes were sometimes wayward and Spurs’ attackers eased beyond him on too many occasions. Gravenberch is presumably saving his best for Liverpool’s Premier League campaign.
Curtis Jones - 5
Just like a few of his colleagues, Jones underwhelmed slightly. Liverpool need much more from their key players in big games such as this.
Mohamed Salah - 6
Djed Spence kept Salah quiet for most of the night but the Egyptian still produced several important moments. His excellently threaded pass put Darwin Nunez in on goal but the forward shot straight at Antonin Kinsky.
Diogo Jota - 5
Liverpool needed more from their centre-forward against an inexperienced Spurs back four. Jota’s only true involvement was a blocked shot on the stroke of half-time and he was hooked on the hour-mark. Disappointing.
Cody Gakpo - 6
Gakpo looked the likeliest Liverpool player to create something during a subdued first half. He tested debutant Kinsky with a drive from distance, which the Spurs goalkeeper nearly spilled into his own net. The Dutchman was withdrawn as part of Slot’s trio of 60-minute substitutions.
Substitutes
Endo Wataru - 6
Endo replaced Quansah and had a solid game at centre-back. In a move that ultimately backfired, he was switched into midfield to allow Konate to partner Van Dijk late on.
Alexander-Arnold's stunning effort was cleared off the line by Radu Dragusin shortly after his introduction on the hour.
Darwin Nunez - 6
Nunez was much better than Jota after replacing the Portuguese star, but failed to find the net with a couple of chances.
Luis Diaz - 6
Diaz created more than those who came before him in Liverpool's attack.
Ibrahima Konate - 4
Failed to deal with a long pass and Spurs benefitted with Bergvall firing home.
