There was loads to admire from Liverpool’s 6-3 win at Tottenham, because the Reds produced some beautiful soccer with Dominik Szoboszlai linking assault and defence.
Tottenham 3-6 Liverpool
Premier League (16) | AnfieldDecember 22, 2024
Objectives: 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-Purple Dominic Solanke scored to attract Tottenham inside two targets of Liverpool’s lead, Slot’s aspect took a second to compose themselves and it was notable how the workforce dropped again into form for a few minutes.
With the defensive traces now nearer collectively, Liverpool held agency earlier than displaying their second-half ruthless streak as soon as once more as they broke swiftly, working their manner 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 offer impetus within the first half, whereas fast counters had been the very best path to objective 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 pissed off at occasions 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 had been his most full of the season as he fused his selfless defensive working with poise within the closing 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 targets, every of which had been scored from contained in the field on account of his optimistic ahead working.
It wasn’t simply his decisiveness within the field, although, that made Szoboszlai stand out. As early because the second minute, he may very well be seen gesturing to teammates to push up and put Fraser Forster underneath stress from a objective kick.
He thrives in a high-intensity encounter and Liverpool’s journey to Tottenham was all the time going to offer simply that.
3. Defensive questions stay unanswered
Whereas the Reds can go house blissful to be prime at Christmas, there’ll nonetheless be loads 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 standpoint, although, his aspect shouldn’t have wanted to attain 4 (or extra) to win.
Within the first interval, barring two minutes of insanity in the direction of the tip of the half, Liverpool performed properly out of possession and compelled Tottenham to go lengthy, thus sweeping up the lengthy balls via Van Dijk and Joe Gomez.
After the match, Mo Salah put Tottenham‘s targets right down to how Liverpool defended “as a workforce,” 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 unique defensive mentality from Liverpool.
4. Mo Salah overtakes Billy Liddell
Along with his two targets in opposition to Tottenham, Salah drew degree and overtook Billy Liddell as Liverpool’s fourth-highest goalscorer ever.
In his 373 appearances for the Reds, the Egyptian has now netted 229 targets, averaging an unbelievable 1.63 video games per objective.
Meaning he’s been scoring at a greater price than Ian Rush, Roger Hunt and Liddell throughout his Liverpool profession – and whereas taking part in as a winger!
Given his present price of scoring, the subsequent milestone of 241 targets – the quantity Gordon Hodgson managed – doesn’t appear too far-off.
What’s so spectacular about Salah, although, has been his capacity to offer as properly…
5. Salah isn’t only a goalscorer
In addition to surpassing Liddell, Salah laid declare to a different file of types, this time making an allowance for 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 targets 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 awesome choice for a reverse go.
For a second, watchers had been not sure as as to whether Salah had seen Szoboszlai’s motion, however we should always by no means have been doubtful, for the Egyptian was merely awaiting the proper second to arrange his teammate.
Within the 2002/03 season, Thierry Henry managed 20 assists and 24 targets. 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
