There was lots to admire from Liverpool’s 6-3 win at Tottenham, because the Reds produced some gorgeous soccer with Dominik Szoboszlai linking assault and defence.
Tottenham 3-6 Liverpool
Premier League (16) | AnfieldDecember 22, 2024
Targets: Maddison 41’, Kulusevski 72′, Solanke 83′; Diaz 23′ 85′, Mac Allister 36′, Szoboszlai 45+1′, Salah 54′ 61′
1. Liverpool’s soccer was lovely to observe
After ex-Crimson Dominic Solanke scored to attract Tottenham inside two objectives of Liverpool’s lead, Slot’s facet took a second to compose themselves and it was notable how the crew dropped again into form for a few minutes.
With the defensive strains now nearer collectively, Liverpool held agency earlier than exhibiting their second-half ruthless streak as soon as once more as they broke swiftly, working their means down the left into the ultimate third the place the ball was switched to Diaz who completed clinically.
The counter assault was only one instance from a 90 minutes filled with direct and aggressive attacking soccer from Liverpool.
The Reds weren’t scared to go lengthy and after they did, it was with goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold re-found his radar to supply impetus within the first half, whereas fast counters have been the most effective path to aim after half-time.
2. Excellent Dominik Szoboszlai
No person has ever doubted Szoboszlai’s work price; nobody has actually even doubted his expertise. It has been his determination making that has annoyed at instances this season.
We noticed in opposition to Tottenham, although, what occurs when every little thing comes collectively.
The Hungarian’s 90 minutes in north London have been his most full of the season as he fused his selfless defensive working with poise within the last third to place the hosts to the sword.
A criticism that has typically been levelled on the No. 8 is that he doesn’t give you sufficient finish product.
Effectively, he was on the scene for Liverpool’s second, third and fifth objectives, every of which have been scored from contained in the field because of his constructive ahead working.
It wasn’t simply his decisiveness within the field, although, that made Szoboszlai stand out. As early because the second minute, he could possibly be seen gesturing to teammates to push up and put Fraser Forster underneath stress from a aim kick.
He thrives in a high-intensity encounter and Liverpool’s journey to Tottenham was at all times going to supply simply that.
3. Defensive questions stay unanswered
Whereas the Reds can go residence blissful to be prime at Christmas, there’ll nonetheless be lots to analyse earlier than internet hosting Leicester on Boxing Day.
It was maybe to be anticipated that Liverpool would concede in some unspecified time in the future when visiting the Premier League‘s top-scorers.
From Slot’s viewpoint, although, his facet shouldn’t have wanted to attain 4 (or extra) to win.
Within the first interval, barring two minutes of insanity in direction of the top of the half, Liverpool performed nicely out of possession and compelled Tottenham to go lengthy, thus sweeping up the lengthy balls by way of Van Dijk and Joe Gomez.
After the match, Mo Salah put Tottenham‘s objectives all the way down to how Liverpool defended “as a crew,” and whereas that was true, with a four-goal buffer it did really feel just like the Reds relaxed after scoring their fifth.
Had the rating been nearer, we might have seen a distinct defensive mentality from Liverpool.
4. Mo Salah overtakes Billy Liddell
Along with his two objectives in opposition to Tottenham, Salah drew stage and overtook Billy Liddell as Liverpool’s fourth-highest goalscorer ever.
In his 373 appearances for the Reds, the Egyptian has now netted 229 objectives, averaging an unimaginable 1.63 video games per aim.
Meaning he’s been scoring at a greater price than Ian Rush, Roger Hunt and Liddell throughout his Liverpool profession – and whereas enjoying as a winger!
Given his present price of scoring, the following milestone of 241 objectives – the quantity Gordon Hodgson managed – doesn’t appear too far-off.
What’s so spectacular about Salah, although, has been his means to supply as nicely…
5. Salah isn’t only a goalscorer
In addition to surpassing Liddell, Salah laid declare to a different document of kinds, this time bearing in mind his creativity too.
His help for Szoboszlai meant he grew to become the primary participant within the Premier League period, of English top-flight soccer since 1992, to succeed in double figures for objectives and assists earlier than Christmas.
His tenth help of the season got here when he arrange Szoboszlai completely to complete past Forster, and it was an ideal instance of his playmaking qualities.
Having collected from his teammate, the Hungarian continued his run to Salah’s proper, creating an incredible choice for a reverse go.
For a second, watchers have been uncertain as as to if Salah had seen Szoboszlai’s motion, however we should always by no means have been doubtful, for the Egyptian was merely awaiting the right second to arrange his teammate.
Within the 2002/03 season, Thierry Henry managed 20 assists and 24 objectives. With Salah scoring twice, he overtook Erling Haaland because the league’s prime scorer this season and appears set to beat Henry’s 2003 tallies.
Tottenham 3-6 Liverpool
