Liverpool FC gave their fans a spectacle against Tottenham in the penultimate home game under Jürgen Klopp. Spurs rallied late on, but will probably have to say goodbye to the Champions League
It was a game that the Reds knew beforehand would probably have no influence on the championship race. But it was the penultimate home game of the Jürgen Klopp era, and the atmosphere at Anfield Road developed accordingly after an active first few minutes from the visitors Tottenham.
Salah’s cross from outside the box slipped against the crossbar (8′) before he failed to beat Vicario at an angle and Romero cleared Elliott’s follow-up shot off the line (9′). Then the chanting of the Klopp odes from the stands began, again and again. The Reds didn’t need much possession at all to completely set the tone at some point. Their direct play got their fans off their seats
Salah back to his old strength
In the 16th minute, the time had come: Gakpo crossed finely to the second post, where Emerson Royal lost sight of Salah: 1-0 to LFC. Salah, who had suffered a dip in form in recent weeks, was always dangerous against harmless Spurs. Even in the 45th minute, when LFC had already missed several chances to make it 2-0.
After a cross from the right, the advanced Robertson crossed and Salah shot straight at him. The Egyptian was denied by Vicario, but Robertson followed up just before the break to make it 2-0
Tottenham, who were already in a bad position in their duel with Aston Villa for the fourth and final Champions League place, were just starting to come alive when the game was as good as over early in the second half: The powerful Elliott crossed to Gakpo’s head – 3:0 (50′).
Richarlison on his own
Oven off? Not at all. Although Elliott chased the ball into the crease in the 59th minute to make it 4-0 from 22 meters, the Reds then put themselves to sleep a little while managing the game. This brought on Spurs joker Richarlison, who was met with whistles due to his Everton past.
First, the Brazilian cleverly broke free and slotted home to make it 4:1 (72′), and a little later he set up the 4:2 for Son, who was also on the rise (77′). A third Spurs goal would not have come as a surprise at this stage, although Salah (80) and Alexander-Arnold from 50 meters (82) missed the 5:2. Before Gomez had to save from Johnson on the line (88). The final phase had almost everything to offer
In the end, only Salah managed to get the ball in the net, but Darwin, who had provided the assist, was ruled offside (90.+5). As a result, Spurs failed to close the gap on fourth-placed Aston Villa, who are on 67 points after 36 games. Tottenham, who have played one game less, are on 60, while Liverpool also have only theoretical chances in the championship race.
