The top game between Tottenham and Liverpool just before Christmas will go down in history as a goal festival. The desolate Londoners conceded six goals but showed good spirit.
Ange Postecoglou made no changes after the 4-3 win in the League Cup against Manchester United. He sent the same starting lineup onto the pitch. Arne Slot made seven changes to the Liverpool side that beat Southampton 2-1 in the League Cup. Only Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Mac Allister and Gakpo remained in the starting lineup.
Strong start from Liverpool
The game started with the Reds very keen to attack: in the 3rd minute, Salah had the first big chance when Tottenham keeper Forster played the ball onto his chest in the box. However, the Egyptian only shot into the side netting. Another double chance came in the 10th minute through Salah and Szoboszlai, but after that the flag went up. Only seven minutes later, Salah was dangerous again, but this time Spence blocked the Egyptian twice. In the 18th minute, Salah then hit the bar with a shot.
The visitors’ lead was long overdue. In the 23rd minute, the moment finally arrived: Alexander-Arnold crossed a butter-soft ball from the right into the middle and Luis Diaz headed the ball into the net. Afterwards, the scorer cleaned the right shoe of the man who provided the assist.
Mac Allister’s mistake brings Tottenham back into the game
After taking the lead, Liverpool eased the pressure a little, but in this calmer phase, Mac Allister suddenly scored the 2-0, because he was in the right place a few meters from goal after a Szoboszlai header and scored with a header (36′). The two-goal lead was fully deserved given the number of chances the visitors created, but it didn’t last long. As early as the 41st minute, Tottenham scored a goal after Mac Allister lost possession. Maddison converted from the edge of the box.
As if Liverpool didn’t want to live with the ignominy of leading by just one goal against Tottenham, the visitors struck again in first-half injury time to restore their lead: after a pass from Salah, Szoboszlai kept his cool in front of goal and tunneled Forster to make it 3-1. The half-time score was well deserved.
A spectacular second half
The second half was to be a real spectacle. Salah was able to celebrate his first goal for the first time in the 54th minute, when he scored from close range after a counterattack. This finally broke the resistance of the Spurs, who then fell apart. In the 61st minute, Salah scored his second after an assist from Szoboszlai.
The visitors then shifted down a gear and took it easy. They paid for it in the 72nd minute when a lobbed pass from Solanke found Kulusevski, who finished beautifully with a volley. The 2-5 breathed life back into the Spurs. In the 83rd minute, Johnson headed a cross for Solanke, who scored from five meters out to make it 3-5. The Liverpool defense was pretty porous in these scenes.
Salah with the fourth point
But the Reds’ outstanding offense ensured that the three goals against were no problem at all, because only two minutes after Solanke’s goal, Luis Diaz also scored a brace. He was sent into the box by Salah on the right and scored confidently into the far corner. The 6-3 scoreline for the Reds was also the final score.
More goals could have been scored in this furious game. Liverpool, in particular, had enough chances for a double-digit result. Tottenham’s defense did not act like that of a first division team. Especially in moments of transition, the Spurs were caught off guard far too easily. However, the home side’s fighting spirit was impressive.
Spurs have the chance to make up for the humiliation as early as Thursday. They will be guests at Nottingham at 4 p.m. Liverpool will play against Leicester at Anfield on the same day at 9 p.m.
