Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool was billed as the highlight fixture of the Premier League weekend and Saturday’s game at Wembley Stadium didn’t disappoint as the Reds eked out a 2-1 win to go three points clear.

Jurgen Klopp’s men were the dominant side for large swathes of the tie, but the manner in which the Lilywhites imploded was shocking.

After their surprise loss at Watford, Mauricio Pochettino had demanded a response from his players but he was disappointed in ways more than one as the North Londoners seemed incapable of keeping the ball and kept gifting their opponents chance after chance.

Georginio Wijnaldum headed the Merseyside outfit into the lead ahead late in the first-half before Roberto Firmino prodded in from close range to double their advantage after the interval.

Spurs had their chances too, but it wasn’t their night and by the time Erik Lamela reduced the deficit, it was too little too late and Liverpool held on for their fifth win on the trot.

Here are The Statesman’s player ratings from an intriguing clash in the English capital:

Tottenham Hotspur

Michel Vorm

Clearly not in Hugo Lloris’ league, even if he tried his best.

Made a couple of key saves, but shares the blame for the Firmino goal.

Rating: 6/10

Danny Rose

Struggled to get up the pitch until the latter stages and by the it was too late.

Defensively was okay, not his best game for sure.

Rating: 5/10

Toby Alderweireld

Once your midfield sells you short on a number of occasions, there’s little you can do, but the Belgian did his best.

Rating: 6/10

Jan Vertonghen

Just like his compatriot, didn’t do much wrong as he was left to dry far more times than he should have.

Rating: 6/10

Kieran Trippier

Defensively did okay, but his offensive contributions were found wanting.

Set-pieces were below the mark.

Rating: 5/10

Eric Dier

Sloppy from the off and didn’t manage to recover.

Rating: 3/10

Mousa Dembele

Clearly the mercurial Belgian was having one of his rare off-days as passes were going straight to Liverpool players.

Rating: 4/10

Harry Winks

Industrious display from the comeback man, but he looked a little off the pace.

Rating: 5/10

Christian Eriksen

Nowhere near his influential best as he struggled the link up with Moura and Kane.

Rating: 5/10

Lucas Moura

Spurs’ brightest outlet, always snapping at the heels of the Liverpool defence.

Should have scored when he glided past three Liverpool players in the second-half though.

Rating: 6/10

Harry Kane

So far, it doesn’t make for pleasant viewing as Kane looks far too sluggish.

With a busy fixture list looming, looks unlikely that he will get much of a rest so will just have to play his way out of this ‘slump’.

Rating: 5/10

Substitutes

Erik Lamela

Missed a sitter but made amends with his fine finish at the death.

Perhaps should have been introduced earlier.

Rating: 7/10

Heung-min Son

Another substitute who made a real difference, or at least should have.

Replays proved he should have won a penalty with the last chance of the game.

Rating: 6/10

Victor Wanyama

Replaced the disappointing Dier in the final stages.

Rating: N/A

Liverpool

Alisson

Wasn’t really tested in goal, but his distribution was pretty decent.

Not at fault for Lamela’s strike, even if he did get the slightest of touches to the ball.

Rating: 6/10

Andy Robertson

Limited in his forays into opposition territory, but a creditable outing from the Scotsman.

Almost scored early in the second-half.

Rating: 6/10

Virgil van Dijk

Shackled Kane fairly well, but was comfortably outshone by his defensive partner.

Rating: 6/10

Joe Gomez

Excellent display from the young defender and if he keeps this up, then Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip will find it to get back into the starting XI.

Rating: 7/10

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Lucky to avoid a caution for his high challenge on Rose in the first-half.

Struggled to keep up with Moura’s searing pace

Rating: 5/10

James Milner

At times it looked like Moura and Co were targeting the veteran and while he didn’t have a great game, it wasn’t his worst either.

Rating: 6/10

Georginio Wijnaldum

The Dutchman has been superb since the start of the season, perhaps galvanised by the increased competition for spots.

Excellent header to give the Reds the lead and overall was solid.

Rating: 7/10

Naby Keita

Justified his inclusion ahead of skipper Jordan Henderson with an assured display in the engine room.

Rating: 7/10

Sadio Mane

Direct as always, but lacked that cutting edge in the final third.

Rating: 6/10

Roberto Firmino

The Brazilians’s resurgence continues and it’s now two goals in as many matches for the hardworking frontman.

Rating: 7/10

Mohamed Salah

Excellent build-up play, but couldn’t quite put the ball into the back of the net.

Would this have happened last season? Probably not.

Rating: 6/10

Substitutes

Jordan Henderson

Replaced Firmino in the final quarter and did fine as the Reds saw off a late Spurs surge.

Rating: 6/10

Daniel Sturridge

Came on for Keita and didn’t really get the ball in a dangerous area to have any impact.

Rating: N/A

Joel Matip

Took the place of Alexander-Arnold but couldn’t prevent Spurs from scoring a late strike.

Rating: N/A