Author: admin

There was a time when a certain section of the Liverpool fan base were calling for Roberto Firmino to be relieved of his place in the Reds starting XI.

In truth, the Brazilian had gone so long without scoring a goal – with his barren run at Anfield stretching to 13 years at one point – the notion that he was living on borrowed time in the first team wasn’t necessarily ludicrous.

Jurgen Klopp has persisted with Firmino despite his struggles in front of goal in recent times – though he hasn’t got much choice in fairness when Divock Origi is squandering chances like he did against Burnley.

Klopp named the usual three-pronged attack for Liverpool’s trip to Tottenham on Thursday evening – a fixture which represented a huge test for the faltering Premier League champions – and Firmino produced the sort of performance that proves just how pivotal he is to Liverpool’s title chances.

No individual is capable of winning a title, it not only takes a team but a squad to clinch one of the toughest top tier crowns in European football. However, certain players have an ability to spark others into life, to produce a piece of magic or show a bit of determination and work rate that spurs their teammates on, and that’s exactly what Firmino is to Liverpool.

From the first minute at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium he showed he was up for the fight, hassling the Spurs backline and throwing himself about.

His ability to drop into pockets of space and link up play with the rest of his teammates his unparalleled in the Liverpool squad, so much so that when he isn’t playing well, quite often Liverpool don’t play well.

After a superb first-half display, all the Brazilian needed was a goal to cap his performance, and that’s exactly what he got. While the highlights will show a tap-in, there was so much more to the goal – there was an anticipation that Eric Dier and Hugo Lloris were going both going to leave the ball, and a movement needed to pull off the shoulder of the Spurs defence.

Once he’d grabbed his goal it was clear that the Firmino of old was returning, not afraid to drop deeper and deeper when needed to try and influence play, so much so that at times he found himself sat in front of the Liverpool backline – some strikers daren’t even stray into their own half, but when you’ve got the skill and the guile to knit play together like he has, you almost want him to just run after the ball so he can make things happen.

Liverpool’s trip to Spurs always looked like a big game – rarely do two Premier League giants meet without it being described as such – but this game truly was huge in the context of Klopp’s side’s season.

A defeat would have seen them drop five points off of the top four and ten points off leaders Manchester City. Not only that, but anything other than a win would have seen them take just two wins from their opening ten away league games of the season.

In a weird sort of way, this season has become so bonkers that people have just stopped emphasising the importance of games, because regardless what happens everyone is well aware the losing team could just go and win the next 15 games in a row. But make no mistake about it, Liverpool’s trip to Spurs was massive, and Firmino delivered when they needed him most.

Yet again.

Youri Tielemans secured Leicester a point at Goodison Park as his side fought back from a goal down to draw with Everton.

The visitors dominated early proceedings but it was the Toffees who took the lead as James Rodriguez worked some space before curling a beauty into the far corner beyond Kasper Schmeichel.

Leicester forced Jordan Pickford into plenty of saves in the second half and the pressure eventually told as the England stopper was deceived by Tielemans’ strike from distance, which he could get a flailing hand to.

The draw keeps Leicester in third, two points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City, while Everton are seventh.

Let’s get into the player ratings.

Jordan Pickford (GK) – 5/10 – Made four saves in total but the main takeaway will be that his error cost his side a win.

Mason Holgate (RB) – 6/10 – Had some shaky moments against Harvey Barnes early on but grew in stature as the game progressed. Not much of an attacking threat and subbed off in the second half.

Yerry Mina (CB) – 6/10 – Aerially dominant at the back for the Toffees and a loud presence. Minimised Ayoze Perez’s influence alongside partner Michael Keane.

Michael Keane (CB) – 7/10 – A solid outing for the England international. Made one particularly brilliant recovery tackle. Quietly having an excellent season.

Ben Godfrey (LB) – 6/10 – A seriously strong presence at left back, even if it’s not his natural position. Attacking game isn’t particularly great but little got past him.

James Rodriguez (RM) – 8/10 – Curled in a beauty from the edge of the box to open the scoring. Added that bit of stardust Everton needed to get ahead when they struggled during the first half.

Andre Gomes (CM) – 6/10 – Always happy dribbling past opponents, making a game-high five on Wednesday night, and his passing improved.

Tom Davies (CM) – 6/10 – Everton’s central midfield partnership was a little sieve-like at times but Davies recovered from a poor start to have a decent game. Made a couple of crucial interceptions and clearances.

Lucas Digne (LM) – 7/10 – Pushed up the pitch to offer more of an attacking threat. Delivery from wide areas was great as usual. Skipper for the night.

Richarlison (ST) – 5/10 – Grafted and did his defensive work but couldn’t get anything going in an attacking sense.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (ST) – 6/10 – Everyone’s favourite FPL striker had little to work with as Leicester dominated the ball. Had an intriguing battle with Leicester’s central defenders but will have better nights.

Alex Iwobi – 5/10

Gylfi Siggurdson – 5/10

Seamus Coleman – N/A

Kasper Schmeichel (GK) – 6/10 – Just the one save to make for the Dane, with Everton’s attackers misfiring when they got forwards.

Timothy Castagne (RB) – 6/10 – Did well defensively, even if his attacking forays occasionally left Leicester light at the back.

Wesley Fofana (CB) – 6/10 – A poor attempted clearance gifted the ball back to Rodriguez, allowing the Colombian to hit the back of the net. Made sure the error didn’t get the best of him though, being otherwise assured.

Jonny Evans (CB) – 7/10 – Exceptional again for the Foxes and got the better of Calvert-Lewin. Cut out plenty of crosses and was positionally excellent.

James Justin (LB) – 6/10 – Booked for stopping an Everton counter in the first half but linked well with Barnes down the left.

Marc Albrighton (RM) – 6/10 – Another grafting effort from the former Aston Villa winger. Made some good runs but rarely spotted by those pulling the strings.

Wilfred Ndidi (CM) – 6/10 – Covered ground well in front of Leicester’s defence before picking up a knock and being substituted.

Youri Tielemans (CM) – 8/10 – Fired in the equaliser, helped somewhat by Pickford’s weak hand. Passing not quite as crisp as it has been in recent weeks but still a mightily fine performance.

Harvey Barnes (LM) – 8/10 – An electric performance from the winger. Got the better of a number of Everton players throughout the game and bagged the assist for Tielemans’ goal.

James Maddison (AM) – 6/10 – Started brightly and found plenty of pockets of space. Had a few free kicks in glorious positions but failed to deliver.

Ayoze Perez (ST) – 5/10 – Was dealt with efficiently by Keane and Mina, rarely getting much space to work with. Had to drop deep to get on the ball, contributing to some nice passages of play. He’s just not Jamie Vardy, though.

Nampalys Mendy – 6/10 – Got well involved after replacing Ndidi, making sure the key midfielder wasn’t missed too badly.

Cengiz Under – 7/10 – Some mazy dribbling caught Everton out at times, but decision making was a little off.

Caglar Soyuncu – 6/10 – Didn’t have much defending to do upon arrival.