Toby Alderweireld raves over Tottenham youngster Japhet Tanganga

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Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld has hailed teammate Japhet Tanganga after a solid showing against Liverpool on Saturday.

The 20-year-old was surprisingly handed his Premier League debut against the runaway leaders as part of a three-man defence along with Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez.

Spurs lost 0-1, but there was plenty of praise after the game for Tanganga, with many feeling he dealt with the threat of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane very well.

The starlet cleared off the line after just two minutes from Firmino, and was generally solid against the dangerous trio.

Speaking afterwards, Alderweireld lavished praised on his defensive colleague.

He said (official website): “It was never going to be an easy game, but everyone helps, and Japhet helped us as well. It was very positive that we had a week to train, to get to know his job, how he needed to play, and he did brilliantly.

“He’s confident, strong, quick, all positive. He talks to me, I talk to him, I’ve got a good connection with him. Even if it was one game, I could feel that.”

TBR’s view – More opportunities must follow for Tanganga

It was a great display by the Hackney-born centre-half and it should definitely lead to more opportunities for the youngster.

To cope so well against arguably the most dangerous attack in the division is a big testament to his ability.

He’s shown he can mix it against the best, and Jose Mourinho has to help him kick on from here.