Tottenham went down battling in a 3-1 defeat at Liverpool in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday night and here are our Spurs player ratings.
Roberto De Zerbi made eight changes to his Spurs team after the goalless draw with Everton on Saturday with a defence that has never played together while Andoni Iraola made 10 changes to his starting XI following the stalemate against Fulham. Spurs came into the game without a victory at Anfield in their previous 17 matches, the last win coming all the way back in May 2011.
De Zerbi handed summer signing Tosin Adarabioyo his full debut at centre-back with Martin Dubravka making his bow between the sticks. Mohammed Kudus made his first start for the club since January 4 and Marcos Senesi, Conor Gallagher, Destiny Udogie, Lucas Bergvall and Mathys Tel all came into the team with 20-year-old Archie Gray captaining the side.
The first chance of the night was a big one for the visitors on 12 minutes. Gallagher sent Udogie in down the left and his low cross was diverted to the free Bergvall but Giorgi Mamardashvili got a toe to his low shot from eight yards. Liverpool had a big chance four minutes later when Dubravka had to deny Lewis Koumas one-vs-one after the Liverpool man turned Senesi to race into the box.
The deadline was broken on 21 minutes with Alexis Mac Allister unmarked in the box to curl an effort into the top right corner of the net after an Udogie tackle sent the ball to his feet.
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There should have been a Spurs equaliser just after the half hour mark as a rapid break ended with Udogie's low cross being sent over the crossbar by Kudus from about six yards out.
It was the hosts who found the next goal on 54 minutes, Gray giving too much space to Cody Gakpo, linked with Spurs for most of the summer, and the Dutchman fired a low effort inside the right-hand post.
Gallagher gave Tottenham hope when he headed home Mateus Fernandes' corner from close range in the 69th minute.
As the rain poured down, Dominik Szoboszlai was denied by Dubravka and at the other end Mamardashvili made a brilliant reaction save from Omar Marmoush's deflected shot.
Spurs had their chances, but ultimately the game was decided by a world class finish as Szoboszlai struck a swerving half-volley into the net from distance with remarkable technique.
It decided a cup game that saw the visitors have 17 shots but not get anything from it while Liverpool produced three fine finishes.
Here are our Spurs player ratings from the match:
Martin Dubravka
His first real involvement was to deny Koumas in a one-vs-one chance. Couldn't do much about Mac Allister's clinical finish. Saved from Szoboszlai in the 82nd minute but could not get near the Liverpool midfielder's late wonder goal. 7
Archie Gray
Captain again and put in a solid enough shift in the first half. Gave Gakpo too much space though in the box for his goal before the hour mark. Found Isak tough to deal with in the final stages and got outmuscled by the striker for a Liverpool chance. 5
Tosin Adarabioyo
A solid full debut from the centre-back. None of the goals were really his fault and he did most of what he had to do pretty well. 7
Marcos Senesi
Turned by Koumas for a big chance 16 minutes in. Played a lovely ball over the top into Udogie's run into the Liverpool box 25 minutes in that the Italian couldn't control. Summed up his first half really, a couple of strong moments and a couple of shaky ones. Grew into the game in the second half and tried to work the ball forward. 5
Destiny Udogie
Put in a good low cross that Bergvall should have scored from early on. Was involved at the start and end of a rapid break that saw Kudus fire over the crossbar. Was unfortunate to see his challenge on Ngumoha poke the ball to Mac Allister to score. If he can stay fit then he offers a lot down the left. 7
Rodrigo Bentancur
Started the game well but after picking up a yellow card he was walking a tightrope and slid into one challenge that could have brought a second booking before being taken off. 6
Lucas Bergvall
Made a good sliding tackle to stop Gakpo running towards the Spurs box in the opening five minutes. Should have opened the scoring on 12 minutes with a free hit from eight yards but the keeper saved. Went on a couple of second half runs as the game stretched and made some important tackles, including one in the final 10 minutes in the Tottenham box. That showing will have helped his confidence. 7
Mohammed Kudus
His first start since the early days of 2026 and it showed at times with his hesitancy. Sent an effort over the crossbar from six yards from Udogie's low cross after the half hour mark. Had an effort saved by the keeper just after the hour mark after being teed up by Marmoush. Important minutes for the Ghana international even if he didn't have the end product on his return to the starting line-up. 5
Conor Gallagher
His technique is wildly inconsistent. At times it's excellent, at others its all over the place. But he gives plenty more on top to the team. Sent Udogie away down the left for Bergvall's early chance. Had an effort deflected over the crossbar. Battled away and then headed home from Fernandes' corner to give Spurs hope. 7
Mathys Tel
Plenty of huff and puff with nothing at the end of it other than a low cross that Kudus should have scored from. 5
Omar Marmoush
Struggled until about the hour mark and then started to find space for his dribbles forward and was denied a goal by the keeper's reactions. 6
Subs
Mateus Fernandes
Swung in the corner that Gallagher headed in. Tried to drive Spurs forward late in the game. 6
Andy Robertson
Got a great reaction back at Anfield and he tried to get the ball into the box as much as possible when out wide. 5
Savio
Went on a couple of runs and should have put a shot on target after one of them rather than sending it across the face of goal. 5
James Maddison
A bright cameo with plenty of glimpses of the old Maddison. He wasn't on for long but he was dangerous throughout his appearance and looked sharp. Played a through ball to Marmoush which was lacking before his arrival. 6
Dominic Solanke