Attacking football was on full display as Liverpool overwhelmed Tottenham in a nine-goal thriller that ended 6-3. The Reds sounded to everyone in the Premier League title race that they have plans to run away with the trophy. With the win, Arne Slot's men have extended their lead at the top of the table to four points over Chelsea with a game in hand.
How It Went Down
The visitors dominated Tottenham from the beginning. It was Luis Díaz who opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through a brilliant cross by Trent Alexander-Arnold. Alexis Mac Allister then doubled the advantage shortly after, capitalizing on Tottenham's defensive uncertainty. James Maddison was able to briefly reduce the deficit before Dominik Szoboszlai restored the two-goal cushion for Liverpool before halftime, completing a team move he had initiated himself.
Salah Breaking Records Again
Another day, another Mohammed Salah record. Again, the winger demonstrated why he's central to Liverpool's title ambitions. The Egyptian's second-half double took his remarkable tally to 229 goals in 373 appearances, surpassing Billy Liddell to claim fourth place in Liverpool's all-time scoring ranks.
His performance also recorded another milestone, presenting him as the first player to register double figures in both goals (15) and assists (11) in just 16 Premier League matches this season, matching Harry Kane's 2020-21 record.
Arne Slot's Tactics Take Center Stage
Critics keep commending how seamless Liverpool have transitioned from Jurgen Klopp's era, with Arne Slot tactics quickly yielding impressive results. The Dutch tactician has become the fastest manager to reach 21 wins in his first 25 games in charge of any English top-flight club since William Suddell with Preston in 1888-89. Thanks to Slot, Liverpool are operating their attack with a more controlled and composed unit.
"Being top of the league tells you we are a very good team," Slot reflected after the Liverpool vs Spurs match. "There are still three games to go until halfway, but if you come here and play the game we did, then it shows you we are a very hard team to beat. If it was easy to win the league then every team would do it."
The Bottom Line
The victory at the Tottenham Stadium showed the difference in superiority between both teams. Liverpool had an expected goals of 4.6 compared to Spurs' 1.2, and Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou acknowledged the glaring distance in class: "It was a painful one. Credit to Liverpool. They were too good for us. They're in a great moment, great form, feeling confident. It was a bridge too far for us."
For Liverpool, this performance surely sent a little fear down other clubs in the Premier League title race. When you look at their unbeaten away record heading into Christmas (only the third time in the club's history), coupled with their attack and tactical sophistication under Slot, there's no reason why they shouldn't maintain their challenge. Meanwhile, Tottenham's defensive vulnerabilities were laid bare, having now conceded 31 goals at home in 2024, their highest calendar year total since 2007.