Aside from an early scare, everything went to plan for Liverpool here as they wrapped up the league title with a thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur. Liverpool's pressing forced turnovers against Spurs' deep buildup, and their attacking movement was simply too much for Spurs' fragile defensive system.
Tactical analysis and match report by Josh Manley.
Liverpool hosted Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield knowing that a win would see them wrap up the Premier League title. Spurs' season has been entirely different, finding themselves in the bottom half after a disastrous season, and now hoping to salvage something from the Europa League.
Arne Slot's side lined up in a 4-2-3-1 shape as usual, with a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, and Andrew Robertson. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister were the central midfielders, with Dominik Szoboszlai as the number ten. Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz, and Cody Gakpo completed the frontline.
Ange Postecoglou meanwhile lined Spurs up in a 4-3-3 formation. Djed Spence, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, and Destiny Udogie made up the back four, with Archie Gray as the deepest midfielder. Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison were the number eights, while the front three comprised Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke, and Mathys Tel.
Spurs' brief hope
Liverpool were heavy favourites going into this game, but it was Spurs who took the lead just after ten minutes as Solanke nodded in Maddison's corner delivery. This lead would not last long though, as Spurs' weaknesses on both sides of the ball would eventually be exposed.
When Spurs had . . .