Tottenham vs Liverpool: Result and reaction as teams play out nine-goal thriller in London
Liverpool earned a thrilling 6-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday to ensure they head into Christmas top of the Premier League table.
Arne Slot’s side dominated from the start of a frantic encounter in the capital, with Luis Diaz opening the scoring from a brilliant Trent Alexander-Arnold cross, and they doubled the lead before long as Alexis Mac Allister headed home.
James Maddison grabbed one back to give Spurs brief hope, but Dominik Szoboszlai quickly poked home to put the visitors 3-1 up at the break.
And the second half started in much the same way, with Mo Salah netting twice in quick succession to put the game out of reach of the hosts. Despite late goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke, it was the Reds who had the last laugh too, with Diaz getting his second late on to put the gloss on a fantastic performance for the league leaders.
Ruthless Liverpool exploit everlasting flaws in Ange Postecoglou’s chaotic Tottenham
Are you not entertained? After the seven-goal thriller came the excitement of nine goals. Tottenham found a way to go two better, but also significantly worse. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has witnessed 16 goals in four days, Spurs have veered from winning 4-3 to losing 6-3. Angeball can veer from the brilliant to the ridiculous, but rarely quite to this extent. And in reply to Ange Postecoglou’s question on Thursday: it was hugely entertaining, but this time too much of the entertainment came at Tottenham’s expense.
Even as Liverpool’s previously impressive defensive record took another dent – it is now eight goals conceded in three league games – they suggested they had a better balance. They have excelled at winning under Arne Slot but have rarely run riot. This time they did both, scoring six in a game for the first time under the Dutchman. It was their most explosive attacking performance, spearheaded – with a certain inevitability – by Mohamed Salah. He ended his afternoon with two goals, two assists and a sense he was too good for Djed Spence, the makeshift left-back who was his immediate opponent.
Liverpool had the irresistible combination of individuals playing wonderfully and a team implementing a strategy. Trent Alexander-Arnoldwas outstanding, his magnificent cross for the opener underlining that few can strike a ball with such an intoxicating blend of whip and precision. Dominik Szoboszlai was terrific: if there are questions if he is productive enough, the Hungary captain ended with a goal and two assists to reward his relentless running. Salah has long excelled at the numbers game and has now been directly involved in 26 Premier Leaguegoals this season.
Ruthless Liverpool exploit everlasting flaws in Ange Postecoglou’s chaotic Tottenham.
