Ange Postecoglou’s struggling side trailed 4-0 by the hour-mark after goals from Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott, but rallied in the last half-hour.
Richarlison and Heung-min Son gave Spurs some hope with close range finishes but a late push only papered over the cracks of another worrying display.
Here’s how we rated the Spurs players…
Guglielmo Vicario 6
Could have done better for Liverpool’s opening goal. Made a string of saves to keep the scoreline respectable, but there was only so much he could do.
Pedro Porro 5
Sloppy on the ball and shaky defensively. Created a good chance for Brennan Johnson with a whipped cross.
Cristian Romero 7
Gakpo got above him to head home Liverpool’s third goal and he was erratic playing out. But he is one of the few players sticking to Postecoglou’s approach and showing real fight in difficult moments. Cleared an early Elliott effort off the line at 0-0.
Micky van de Ven 6
Without him as the last line of defence, the scoreline would probably have been more damaging for Spurs.
Emerson Royal 3
At fault for Liverpool’s first and third goals. Was out of position and up against the menacing Salah, but lax defensively and offers nothing as an inverted full-back.
Yves Bissouma 4
Struggled to offer anything in the way of meaningful protection to the back four again. Helped to make Richarlison’s goal with a smart pass.
Pape Sarr 5
Energetic but occasionally sloppy on the ball and did not help to shore up Spurs’ defensively.
Rodrigo Bentancur 5
Not a natural fit at No.10 and his decision-making was poor in the final third.
Dejan Kulusevski 5
Created little in the final third and rarely looked to take on his man down the outside, which has been the best route to goal for Postecoglou’s side this season.
Brennan Johnson 5
After an abject first hour, he improved as the game opened up in the second half, and set up Richarlison’s goal with a low cross.
Heung-min Son 5
Scored to give Spurs some late hope but largely ineffective as the centre-forward again. Struggled to hold up the ball. More comfortable finishing the game back on the left.
Substitutes
Richarlison (Bentancur 61’) 8
Offered Spurs a focal point in attack and got a goal and an assist in an encouraging cameo. Should have started the game.
James Maddison (Kulusevski 61’) 7
Made a difference when he came on, adding spark in the final third and a willingness to take on shots and risky passes.
Oliver Skipp (Emerson 61’) 7
Did a better job than Emerson as Spurs’ inverted left-back, albeit after Liverpool eased off.
Giovani Lo Celso (Sarr 75’) 6
Another decent battling cameo. Strange that he hasn’t started recently given so much chop and change in midfield.
Not used: Austin, Hojbjerg, Dragusin, Gil, Moore.