Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Liverpool: 5 Talking Points, Premier League 2018-19

#2 Spurs missed the services of Dele Alli as their midfield disappointed

Winks (left) and Dembele (right) clearly underperformed

It was announced yesterday that both Hugo Lloris and Dele Alli would be missing the encounter against Liverpool. While Michel Vorm did do a respectable job between the posts for Spurs, the home side surely missed the attacking qualities of the 22-year-old England International.

Alli was replaced by a returning Harry Winks - who hadn't started a Premier League game since the defeat to Manchester City in December last year - as Spurs played a diamond formation. Mousa Dembele sat deep, Winks and Eric Dier slotted either side of him in the midfield, and Christian Eriksen played on top.

Barring the Dane, the other three had forgettable displays. Winks' absence from first-team action was evident as he was very average in every aspect of his play. His passes didn't have bite, he didn't defend well, and was very uncomfortable in possession.

We have already talked about how Dier almost gifted Liverpool a goal with a poor back pass. Dembele was also unable to stamp his authority as the Reds clearly won the midfield battle. The chemistry among the Tottenham central midfielders, especially with Kane and Moura, was lacking. In such a game, Tottenham could clearly do well with an attack-minded midfielder such as Alli.