Jose Mourinho sprung a surprise by handing rookie defender Japhet Tanganga a Premier League debut for Tottenham against Liverpool.
Mourinho chose the visit of the leaders to pitch in a 20-year-old whose only previous appearance was in the shock Carabao Cup defeat by Colchester.
Here, the PA News agency runs the rule over Tanganga’s performance in Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat.
Position
What a game to make your @premierleague debut ?#THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/jAXbQOhZvC
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 11, 2020
Tanganga lined up on the right of a back-three alongside Davinson Sanchez and captain Toby Alderweireld, with Serge Aurier and Danny Rose as wing-backs in an ultra-defensive line-up from Mourinho. He switched to the left of the three midway through the second half.
Confidence
Impact
A @premierleague debut for this young man! ?#THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/wgcM54K2lx
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 11, 2020
Immediate. Just four minutes had elapsed when Tanganga slid in to block Roberto Firmino’s goalbound shot on the line, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain smacked the follow up against the post. It was a crucial intervention so early. However, he was given the slip by Firmino for Liverpool’s opening goal shortly before half-time and almost let Mane in on goal after the break.
Overall
