Liverpool won and maintained 1st place in the Premier league table, on top of an amazing 6-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur of North London.
Mohamed Salah” provided an electrifying display,
scoring four goals himself as Liverpool marked their superiority and left Spurs completely mesmerised by a game punctuated by drama and top quality attacking play.
Match Highlights
First Half: Liverpool Set the Tone
Liverpool won attacked right from the start, and, although Mohamed Salah did not take advantage of a very early chance, their attacking intent was clear. Salah hit the crossbar soon after, and Spurs found themselves struggling to cope with the Reds’ intensity.
Luis Díaz started scoring again at the start of the second period, on the back of an exceptional Trent Alexander-Arnold cross.
Liverpool won and increased their score by 2 through Alexis Mac Allister who, taking advantage of a break in the defence,
headed in a second after a probing Andrew Robertson shot.
In the initial part of the first half, Spurs came even just before half-time as James Maddison –
capitalizing on Mac Allister’s error – stroked a clever dip shot into the back of the net.
However, at the expiry marks of first-half stopping time (1-1/2) the advantage of Liverpool got reduced to (1-1/2) as Salah provided an exquisite assist for Dominik Szoboszlai contribution.
Second Half: Salah Shines Brightest
Salah, in the record, wrote his name in the books,
as a first ever in scoring and assisting in double figures by Christmas. He then came off the bench to score Liverpool’s 4th in the second half,
tapping in from a yard out after Spurs kicked clear of a Cody Gakpo cutback.
Salah also scored in the second half only then receiving an accurate pass from Szoboszlai to score a double and 5 goals as a result of the encounter between Liverpool.
Spurs did not concede, with Dejan Kulusevski powering a superb, leveler goal to equalise.
Dominic Solanke restored Liverpool’s four goals advantage through a good Brennan Johnson header.
– The game’s final act came from Díaz, who scored Liverpool’s sixth, capping off a devastating attacking display.
Key Performers
– Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): Two goals, two assists and a new career best— it was clear to see that the impact of Salah was significant.
– Luis Díaz (Liverpool): As a frame, his baseline fitted,
and as well as his speed and his gait fell behind Tottenham for the moment.
– James Maddison (Tottenham): A fine little reminder for Spurs boys,
and with a bit of a finish, also showed off his ability and his spirit.
– Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool): Contributed in a decisive way to attack, scored 1 goal and 1 assist.
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Manager’s Reactions
Jürgen Klopp (Liverpool):
“This was a complete team performance. Nevertheless, Salah played magnificently and i.e.participation of all players was crucial. We are well positioned, but we have got to turn the corner.
Ange Postecoglou (Tottenham):
“We gave it everything, but Liverpool’s quality in attack was too much. We have to take a lesson from these casts, for good or for bad, even if it’s not fighting the best of the best on the field.
What’s Next
– Liverpool: The Reds are aiming to “move on” from the promising “start” and face the congestion of the festive period,
and prepare for the english football league cup semi-final against spurs in 2017.
– Tottenham Hotspur: On Postecoglou’s tactical order,
the players have to regroup and remedy the defensive shortcomings if they are to contend at the national and cup fronts.
Final Thoughts
Liverpool’s firepower proved too much for Tottenham, whose attacking philosophy left them exposed against a lethal opponent. Both Salah’s genius and the effectiveness of Liverpool have made them this Christmas a team to conquer as they face a series of festive games with a four point advantage at the summit.
[f]As a demonstration case with regard to Spurs,
their loss also drew attention to the requirement of increased defensive strength in such a way as to make a substantive contribution alongside their
tendency for attacking goals aimed at achieving higher proportions of success.
