Liverpool moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League with a rampant 6-3 away win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Braces from Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz, coupled with goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister saw Arne Slot’s side capitalise on Chelsea’s slip up earlier in the day after the Blues drew with Everton 0-0. While Spurs threatened to get back into the game after they made it 5-3, Diaz’s second on 86 minutes wrapped things up for Liverpool.
The Reds sit top of the Premier League by four points at Christmas, knowing they still have a game in hand on the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal. While that game is the rescheduled Merseyside derby, which will be a tough game, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect start to life at Anfield for Slot, who could win the Premier League in his first season in charge of Liverpool.
And with that in mind, here are five things Slot will have learnt from the nine goal thriller at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday afternoon…
A relentless start
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Liverpool got the game off to a flying start, relentlessly pressing Spurs high in their own half and reaping the rewards. After a couple of early chances, Liverpool opened the scoring through Luis Diaz on 23 minutes, with the Colombian heading home a brilliant cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Then on 36 minutes, a wonderful cross from Andy Robertson into the box caused chaos, with Alexis Mac Allister heading home to make it 2-0. Spurs managed to find a reply out of nothing through James Maddison, but from there, it was all Liverpool.
Dominik Szoboszlai added a third before the break, before Mohamed Salah got in on the act in the second half with a brace to make it 5-1. While they did concede twice in the second half to Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke, a second from Diaz wrapped things up. Liverpool started the game fast and were rewarded for it as a result.
Liverpool must keep Trent Alexander-Arnold
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On a day where there were so many impressive performances, Alexander-Arnold was arguably the best player on the pitch. The Liverpool full-back produced a number of outrageous long balls in behind the Spurs defence, bypassing their midfield press all together.
It was Alexander-Arnold who got the party at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium started with his magnificent pass to Diaz, which opened the scoring. Throughout the game, he produced a handful of balls only he could.
With Alexander-Arnold out of contract in the summer, and Real Madrid mooted to be heavily interested in him, Liverpool need to do everything they can to tie him down to a new long-term deal – something which is beginning to feel more possible as the season goes on with the Reds performing so well.
Luis Diaz should start as Liverpool’s centre forward
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In big games this season, Slot has named Diaz as Liverpool’s centre forward, a decision which allows for Cody Gakpo to stay on the left-wing.
And so far this term, it is a decision which has worked well for the Reds, so much so it would not be unthinkable for Slot to begin to name Diaz up front more consistently, even with Diogo Jota’s recent return from injury.
Diaz scored the opener, and netted Liverpool’s sixth on 86 minutes. Clearly, the Dutchman doesn’t fancy Darwin Nunez and with Jota’s injury problems, it could be a move Slot looks to make in order to keep the Reds ahead of the chasing pack in the Premier League – and mean they don’t have to bring in extra fire power up front in January.
Capitalised on Chelsea slip-up
Heading into the game, Liverpool knew a win would move them back to four points clear of Chelsea, who earlier in the game drew 0-0 with Everton at Goodison Park. Due to Liverpool’s own game against Everton recently being called off as a result of Storm Darragh, the Reds have a game in hand, which if they win, would move them seven points clear of Spurs.
Liverpool knew they just needed to win to maintain their gap with the rest of the Premier League and that leads us to our final point…
It’s Liverpool’s title to lose
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It’s beginning to feel like Liverpool’s year. Manchester City are in free fall, Arsenal are too inconsistent despite some recent good performances and Chelsea may lack the title fight experience to keep up their challenge for the entire season.
Meanwhile, Liverpool look a machine. Yes they conceded three to Spurs, but the reality is they were the better team and dismantled Tottenham at will throughout the contest.
It’s Liverpool’s title to lose.