This Is Anfield

Liverpool face a tricky away test in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final up against Tottenham. We’re live to bring you the latest.

Kickoff at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is 8pm (UK), the referee is Stuart Attwell.

Watch Tottenham vs. Liverpool – Live Online Streams

Tonight’s blog is run by Henry Jackson, get involved by Tweeting @thisisanfield, @HenryJackson87 and in the comments below.

Teams

Tottenham: Kinsky; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bissouma, Bentancur, Bergvall; Kulusevski, Son, Solanke

Subs: Austin, Dorrington, Reguilon, Olusesi, Moore, Min-Hyeok, Johnson, werner, Lankshear

Liverpool: Alisson; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Jota

Subs: Kelleher, Konate, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Endo, Elliott, Chiesa, Diaz, Nunez

Our coverage updates automatically below:

Arne Slot has named a strong lineup for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Tottenham, with four changes made as Conor Bradley and Diogo Jota start.

For the second time in less than three weeks the Reds are back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but this time are aiming to put one foot into the Carabao Cup final.

Slot’s side arrive off the back a disappointing draw, though their 24-game unbeaten streak remains across all competitions – and the aim is to extend it tonight.

Watch Tottenham vs. Liverpool – Live Online Streams

Alisson has been opted for over Caoimhin Kelleher, marking only his second appearance in this competition for the club.

In the backline, Bradley replaces Trent Alexander-Arnold and is joined by Jarell Quansah, Virgil van Dijk and Kostas Tsimikas.

Ryan Gravenberch makes his fifth successive start and first in this competition this season and is joined by Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones – Dominik Szoboszlai remains absent due to illness.

Mohamed Salah remains an immovable force on the right wing and accompanies Cody Gakpo and Jota in attack, the latter is making his first start since his rib injury in October.

It is a strong lineup from Slot, who also has a deep bench to turn to with the likes of Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez among his nine substitute options.

Tottenham: Kinsky; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bissouma, Bentancur, Bergvall; Kulusevski, Son, Solanke

Substitutes: Austin, Dorrington, Reguilon, Olusesi, Moore, Min-Hyeok, Johnson, werner, Lankshear

Liverpool: Alisson; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Jota

Some potential early Liverpool team news has emerged before their League clash with Tottenham, with key players spotted during a pre-match walk in London.

The Reds head to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first leg of their semi-final tie on Wednesday night, looking for a repeat of the 6-3 win there last month.

The game acts as an opportunity for Arne Slot to make changes, with Liverpool’s head coach continuing to tackle a busy schedule across three competitions.

That said, the visit of Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup third round on Saturday gives a better chance for Slot to shuffle his pack and rest influential figures.

It certainly looks as though Liverpool could have a strong lineup at Spurs, with photos emerging on Wednesday showing the Reds enjoying a stroll around London.

Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch have all travelled, with the trio yet to start in any Carabao Cup fixture so far.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was also there, with much focus on his performance if he starts, along with fellow full-back Andy Robertson.

Among those to have also made the trip are Alexis Mac Allister, Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas, Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo, meaning at last 10 high-profile figures are involved.

It remains to be seen which starting XI Slot will opt for on Wednesday night, but this suggests that it will be stronger than perhaps many are predicting.

As mentioned, the Accrington game will surely see plenty of youngsters fielded, so there is no need to rest big players for this game.

This is also an important game in its own right, with Slot no doubt desperate to reach a cup final in his first season in charge at Liverpool.

Liverpool will be facing a Tottenham team on Wednesday with nine absentees from the squad, including key midfielder James Maddison.

While Ange Postecoglou has come under criticism for Tottenham‘s recent run of just three wins in 14 games, he has had mitigating factors affecting the team.

Injuries in defensive areas have particularly affected his side, and they aren’t yet relenting.

For the first leg of their semi-final against Liverpool, they will be without first-choice centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven as well as full-backs Ben Davies and Destiny Udogie.

In addition, forward Richarlison and winger Wilson Odobert, who has played just 182 minutes since his £25 million summer transfer from Burnley, are also injured.

They also have problems in midfield, too, with both Maddison and Pape Matar Sarr suspended having picked up two yellow cards on Tottenham‘s run to the semi-finals.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is injured and, with Fraser Forster potentially still ill after missing the weekend’s 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle, Tottenham could turn to new signing Antonin Kinsky.

The shot-stopper only signed from Slavia Prague on Sunday but has already been registered, trained and is available to play, confirmed Postecoglou on Tuesday.

Postecoglou was asked if Kinsky would start, to which he responded: “We will see. He arrived on Sunday. He has had a couple of days of training.

“He is registered and eligible to play. We still have got to do a couple of final things with him and then we will see.

“We’ve tracked him all season and he’s definitely someone we are really excited about.”

There was some positive news for Tottenham fans from the manager, however, as he revealed Mikey Moore “potentially could be available to be on the bench.”

The 17-year-old winger has made his debut and played 10 times this season, but hasn’t featured since October 30 due to illness impacting his fitness levels.

Rodrigo Bentancur is also now available after his seven-game suspension for saying South Korean Son Heung-min and his cousins “all look the same.”

Given Tottenham are facing pressure to win silverware after a 17-year trophy drought, we can expect Postecoglou to keep his team as strong as possible.

Liverpool head to Tottenham for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash on Wednesday, with changes expected for the Reds.

Tottenham vs. Liverpool

League Cup semi-final first leg | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

January 8, 2025 | 8pm (GMT)

Arne Slot‘s side could only draw 2-2 at home to Man United on Sunday in a bitterly disappointing result.

Premier League duty is traded for domestic cup commitments this week, starting with a midweek trip to Tottenham in the League Cup.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game.

This is the second time Liverpool have travelled the Tottenham in under a month, following the league clash on December 22nd.

The Reds romped to a 6-3 win in that game, with Luis Diaz scoring twice as well as Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah also finding the net.

In truth, the scoreline was kind to Spurs that day, too.

A similar result on Wednesday would assure that Liverpool have more than one foot in the final at Wembley on March 16.

Ange Postecoglou isn’t quite the likeable figure he was when he first arrived at Spurs, with the pressure of the job turning him more prickly.

The aforementioned 6-3 defeat to Liverpool was one of many poor recent results, and his side lost 2-1 at home to Newcastle on Saturday.

Postecoglou still has the support of some Spurs fasn, perhaps because the football is at least entertaining, but he is now pushing his luck.

Positive results need to return soon or the north Londoners could be searching for a new manager.

With Liverpool tackling a busy January schedule, Slot is likely to make changes in midweek, but not necessarily wholesale ones.

Saturday’s FA Cup third round clash with Accrington Stanley at Anfield could see a far weaker starting lineup fielded.

Jarell Quansah could start at Spurs in place of Ibrahima Konate, while Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas could come in at full-back.

The likes of Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez are all pushing to start, too.

Szoboszlai is still struggling to overcome illness and is a doubt, while Joe Gomez is Liverpool’s only injury absentee.

Predicted Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Jota

Spurs are still tackling an injury crisis, not least at centre-back, with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven still missing.

Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie and Ben Davies are all absentees in the back-line, so Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray could again start at centre-back.

Fraser Forster and Wilson Odobert are two others who are missing.

Richarlison, Mikey Moore and Antonin Kinsky all took part in training on Monday, with the latter a new signing in goal who has now been granted a work permit.

Rodrigo Bentancur is back after suspension but Pape Matar Sarr and James Maddison are banned.

Possible Tottenham XI: Austin; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Reguilon; Bissouma, Bergvall; Johnson, Kulusevski, Son; Solanke

Spurs may be seen as one of the biggest clubs in the country, but their lack of trophies in recent decades is extraordinary.

The north Londoners haven’t won a piece of silverware since their League Cup triumph in 2008, beating Chelsea 2-1 in the final thanks to a Jonathan Woodgate winner in extra-time.

In the 17 years prior to that, Spurs won just one FA Cup and League Cup apiece, in 1991 and 1999, respectively.

Supporting them must be an absolute nightmare!

After a dreadful performance against United, Slot spoke honestly about Trent Alexander-Arnold, showing him support but saying improvements are needed:

“It is normal that you talk to players, in this situation it wasn’t his best game so there were things I had to show which he has to improve.

“That’s what you do after every game. Sometimes you show them how well they did, mostly when it comes to work rate – so you don’t have to say their brilliant 80-yard pass because they know.

“And sometimes you have to show them what they can improve, but I don’t only do this with Trent.

“We were just talking about Macca, if you look at the second goal we concede, if he sprints a bit hard he can cut off the shot from Diallo as well. There’s always things you can improve.”

No team in the history of the League Cup has won the competition more times than Liverpool, with the Reds tasting glory on 10 occasions.

The first of those came in 1981, before winning the next three in succession – two under Bob Paisley and one with Joe Fagan in charge.

Liverpool had to wait until 1995 for their next triumph, before sealing victory in 2001 en route to Gerard Houllier’s Reds winning a cup treble.

Further League Cup wins came in 2003, 2012 and 2022, before last season’s memorable final win over Chelsea at Wembley, thanks to Virgil van Dijk‘s winner.

Last season, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Diaz scored 54 goals between them in all competitions, finding the net 25, 16 and 13 times, respectively.

This time around, the trio already have 45 combined, 21 of which have come from Salah, who could be enjoying his greatest-ever season for Liverpool.

Meanwhile, Gakpo and Diaz have netted 12 times apiece, highlighting how prolific they have been in half a campaign compared to a whole season in 2023/24.

Assuming they all stay fit, they should dismantle last term’s combined tally in the coming months.

• READ HERE: Explained – How League Cup VAR trial will work at Tottenham vs. Liverpool

Stuart Attwell will referee Wednesday’s game, in what is his second Liverpool outing of the season.

The first was the 2-0 win at home to Brentford in the Premier League in August, where he handed yellow cards to Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch.

James Mainwaring and Constantine Hatzidakis are Attwell’s assistants, it is the latter’s first Liverpool game since elbowing Robertson in the jaw in 2023.

Tim Robinson is fourth official and Paul Tierney is on VAR.

A VAR trial will also be on show on Wednesday, with in-stadium announcements by referees made following checks. It means for the first time ever in the English game, crowds and viewers at home will be able to hear officials announce their final decisions.

Tottenham vs. Liverpool is live on Sky Sports Football from 7pm (GMT), with kickoff at 8pm.

This Is Anfield‘s matchday will be off and running from 7.15pm, with Henry Jackson in charge of keeping you entertained.

Come on you Reds!

The dates and kickoff times have now been confirmed for when Liverpool will meet Tottenham over two legs for a place in the Carabao Cup final.

Arne Slot‘s side were drawn against Spurs after securing their place in the last four with a 2-1 win over Southampton, having already overcome West Ham and Brighton.

The two teams will meet over two games, with it now been confirmed that the first leg at Tottenham will be held on Wednesday, January 8 at 8pm.

A return to Anfield for the second leg will then take place on Thursday, February 6 at 8pm.

Ange Postecoglou’s side nearly surrendered a 3-0 lead in their quarter-final against Man United before hanging on for 4-3 victory to secure their place in the semi-final.

And they now know first-hand what the Reds are capable of having been on the end of a 6-3 defeat from Slot’s men.

Who do the Reds play either side of the semi-finals?

The Reds have a busy schedule around the time of their semi-finals, but could find themselves with a free weekend after the second leg if they do not progress beyond Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup.

First leg (A) – Jan 8

Before: Man United (H) – Jan 5

After: Accrington Stanley – FA Cup – Jan 11

Second leg (H) – Feb 6

Before: Bournemouth (A) – Feb 1

After: Possible FA Cup fourth round – Feb 8

When is the final?

The final will take place at Wembley on Sunday, March 16, the final game before the March international break.

If Liverpool progress to the final, their Premier League trip to Aston Villa that weekend will be forced to be rearranged to later in the campaign.

Ryan Gravenberch has given Liverpool fans an idea of the “game plan” against Tottenham, admitting the Reds targeted one specific player.

Arne Slot‘s side produced a masterclass on Sunday afternoon, thumping Spurs 6-3 at their own stadium to move four points clear at the top of the Premier League.

While the three goals conceded were slightly frustrating, it was a game that Liverpool completely dominated, on a day that saw their title odds shorten after Chelsea dropped points at Everton.

Arne Slot nailed his team selection and tactics at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and speaking to LFCTV, Gravenberch admitted they targeted Radu Dragusin at right centre-back.

“Yeah, we had a really good game plan, we wanted to keep them on the right side and press the right centre-back,” Gravenberch said.

“Sometimes it went well and sometimes they did it good, but by the end, I think we did really well.”

Gravenberch, who was once again outstanding, also explained other key factors behind Liverpool’s victory, including a fast start being important.

“Energy in the attacking part, I think. At the end we scored six goals and that was the key part,” he added.

“We know Tottenham give everything here from the start, so we wanted to give more than them.

“I think we did that in the beginning and we scored really nice goals.”

It’s fascinating to hear Gravenberch be so honest about Liverpool’s approach, considering how many players and managers are coy about tactics in the modern game.

The fact that Liverpool targeted Dragusin is interesting, considering 18-year-old Archie Gray was at left centre-back, in a role he rarely plays.

As Gravenberch alludes to, though, it was an approach that paid off handsomely and Spurs’ defence simply couldn’t live with the Reds’ attack all afternoon.

While the likes of Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Dominik Szoboszlai made the headlines in north London, the Dutchman was once again integral to Liverpool getting all three points.

There was very little not to love about Liverpool’s 6-3 thrashing of Tottenham, but was the performance one of champions?

The Reds thumped Spurs in the Premier League on Sunday, on what felt like a significant afternoon in the title race.

There were standouts in every position, not least the record-breaking Mohamed Salah, as Liverpool took advantage of Chelsea‘s 0-0 draw at Everton to stretch their lead at the top to four points with a game in hand.

Here, Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) and The Redmen TV’s Dan Clubbe (@dan_clubbe) discuss a stunning win and whether Arne Slot side’s look like champions in waiting.

The good…

DAN: How long have we got?

There were moments where it seemed as though we had reached peak Liverpool this season – the movement, the pressing, the fluidity.

It was the Reds in full flow, poetry in motion.

Szoboszlai, only really praised for his work ethic and engine this season, produced a magnificent performance in every sense of the word.

His took his goal wonderfully and was a constant threat dovetailing with the front line and arriving in the box. Top class.

There was an inevitability about Salah, too, but that doesn’t mean I take for granted yet another match-defining performance. He is the best in the world right now.

For Gomez to step up in the absence of perhaps the most in-form defender in Europe in the manner that he has is remarkable, too.

Given how often he’s been written off, this was another display that further proves his worth to the squad.

As for Trent, it’s baffled me for a while how some people would willingly allow him to leave.

Whatever you think about his situation, how he’s handled it or your love for Conor Bradley, this is a generational footballer who does things not many others on this planet can do time and time again.

TOP AT CHRISTMAS AND WITH BREATHING ROOM!

HENRY: Well, that was some statement!

I’ll admit I was nervous before the game after two league draws in a row, but the performance was sublime.

Before the sloppy Maddison goal, it was Liverpool’s most imperious display of the season, with almost every player catching the eye.

The level of firepower in attack, control and energy in midfield and class at the back were all a joy to watch, barring the odd lapse.

Salah has to be focused on after overtaking Billy Liddell. It’s hard to downplay what a significant achievement that is!

What Mo is doing this season is beyond ridiculous and he should be thought of now as one of the best-ever Premier League players, alongside the likes of Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry.

I thought Diaz was great, too, both on and off the ball, while the travelling fans were in fantastic festive voice throughout.

The bad…

HENRY: I suppose we have to focus on conceding three goals!

It really didn’t feel like that, though, and my main hope is that Virg and the other perfectionists in the group don’t let his happen again for the rest of the season.

Other than that, it was near-perfect.

DAN: Not much. Maybe it should’ve been more comfortable?

We could easily have been out of sight before Spurs mustered a noteworthy effort.

Then, once we were, we inexplicably allowed them to think they had a sniff of a comeback.

As Henry says, perhaps the concession of those goals will serve as a positive in the long run acting as a bit of a reality check.

Stopping short of the complete performance gives us room for improvement.

It is proof that we are still that work in progress and it is certainly something for Slot to analyse and work on to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Are Liverpool the champions-elect?

DAN: Certain elements of this felt a bit like Leicester away in 2019 on Boxing Day – an imperious against a side with loads of threats and the potential to cause a bloody nose.

So, based on that logic, this was a huge statement, especially with further Man City woes and Everton doing us another unlikely favour.

I wouldn’t go as far as singing anything aloud just yet, but in terms of confidence levels, they’re rising, as they should be.

We are some football team.

HENRY: I’m a natural pessimist as a football fan, so I’m wary of being too bullish about Liverpool and then looking stupid in May.

That said, I did feel like I was watching the champions in that first half, in particular.

With injuries easing and the likes of Ali, Trent, Virg, Robbo and Mo having so much experience of title races, it’s hard not to feel very excited.

I do think some are being far too quick to write off Arsenal, though, and they worry me more far more than Chelsea.

They are steely and capable of a long winning run, but Saka’s injury could be a huge blow.

But Liverpool are the comfortable favourites and the best team in the country, possessing more attacking firepower than anyone else by a mile.

There were stunning performances galore in Liverpool’s barmy 6-3 win away to Tottenham on Sunday, in a huge Premier League title statement by the Reds.

Tottenham 3-6 Liverpool

Premier League (16), Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

December 22, 2024

Goals: Maddison 41′, Kulusevski 72′, Solanke 83′; Diaz 23′ 85′, Mac Allister 36′, Szoboszlai 46′, Salah 54′ 61′

Alisson (out of 10) – 8

Making his first away start in 11 weeks, Alisson was his usual reliable self between the sticks, even if he conceded three times.

Unlike Fraser Forster, Liverpool’s No. 1 used the ball well and he could arguably do nothing for any of Spurs’ goals.

Will have enjoyed watching the masterclass going on in front of him, but did make one great save to deny Brennan Johnson late on.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 9

Has there been a better passer and crosser of the ball in Premier League history?

Alexander-Arnold was a joy to watch against Spurs, starting imperiously with a sublime lofted pass into Mohamed Salah.

He then assisted superbly, finding Luis Diaz with a perfect cross, and generally exuded world-class quality all afternoon, forcing Forster into one good save from distance.

Joe Gomez – 8

Gomez has had an up-and-down few weeks, excelling in some games but struggling against Newcastle, and he was excellent here.

The centre-back was a calm presence alongside Virgil van Dijk, putting out fires and showing quality in possession, when needed.

Read the game immaculately, on a day that almost made you forget Ibrahima Konate!

Virgil van Dijk – 8

Another day, another Van Dijk masterclass.

There were times on Sunday when it felt like he was playing against a bunch of children, overpowering Spurs’ attackers and nailing every aspect of his game.

One imperious first touch when an awkward long ball was played over the top summed up his brilliance, but he loses a mark for allowing Dominic Solanke to score a little too easily.

Andy Robertson – 8

Robertson is Liverpool’s most under-fire player at the moment, not least after his red card against Fulham, but he shone in north London.

The Scot did well against the in-form Dejan Kulusevski, if troubled a few times early on, and he should be happy with the shift he put in.

Key interception in the lead up to Liverpool’s fifth goal.

Ryan Gravenberch – 8

Gravenberch remains an ever-present in the Premier League this season, and this was another exceptional performance.

Biting into tackles, covering ground and breaking the lines with his athleticism, the Dutchman was simply too good for Spurs’ midfielders.

The strides he has made this season are quite remarkable.

Alexis Mac Allister – 8

Back in the team in the league after suspension last weekend, Mac Allister was another shining light.

A metronomic presence in the Reds’ midfield, the Argentine and Gravenberch have forged a great understanding, and he headed home his side’s second goal.

Granted, it was Mac Allister’s sloppy touch that allowed Maddison to score, but we’ll let him off!

Dominik Szoboszlai – 9

Szoboszlai has received criticism at times this season, gaining less than praise than the other midfielders, but displays such as these make you wonder why.

He was everywhere, providing a relentless work ethic and also elite quality on the ball.

Szoboszlai was involved in the Mac Allister’s goal and Salah’s second, as well as firing home himself just before half-time.

Mohamed Salah – 9 (Man of the Match)

It feels like Salah makes a piece of history every time he plays.

His assist for Szoboszlai’s goal saw him become the first-ever player in Premier League history to register at least 10 goals and assists apiece in a season before Christmas.

Salah then equalled and overtook Billy Liddell‘s tally for Liverpool, outlining what a true all-time great he is, also teeing-up Diaz for his second of the game.

The best player in the world on current form.

Cody Gakpo – 7

Used in his strongest left wing role, as has been the norm under Arne Slot, this was another effective showing from Gakpo.

Others were better on the day, and certain pieces of decision-making were frustrating, but the positives still easily outweighed the negatives.

Heavily involved the melee before Salah made it 5-1.

Luis Diaz – 9

Diaz led the line instead of Darwin Nunez and he emphatically repaid Slot’s faith in him.

Liverpool’s No. 7 started and completing the scoring and was always a huge threat, giving Spurs’ defenders nightmares.

Meanwhile, Diaz’s work rate off the ball was relentless throughout, showing what a great team player he is.

Substitutes

Diogo Jota (on for Gakpo, 68′) – 7 – Looked lively, getting more invaluable minutes at the same time.

Curtis Jones (on for Mac Allister, 68′) – 6 – Did fine, but Liverpool conceded twice shortly after he came on.

Harvey Elliott (on for Salah, 86′) – 6 – Neat and tidy, but unnoticed.

Darwin Nunez (on for Diaz, 86′) – 6 – Not on the pitch for long enough to create his usual mayhem!

Subs not used: Kelleher, Endo, Tsimikas, Quansah, Nyoni

Arne Slot – 10

After two draws in a row in the league, Slot will have known the importance of bouncing back.

The Dutchman got a sensational display out of his side, nailing his team selection and overcoming a big obstacle over the festive period.

The job that Slot is doing is quite remarkable and this was Liverpool’s biggest statement yet in the Premier League title race.

The Reds performed like champions and their head coach deserves endless praise for the job he is doing.

Liverpool ensured they are four points clear at Christmas – with a game in hand – with an incredible 6-3 win over Tottenham marking a record night for Mo Salah.

Tottenham 3-6 Liverpool

Premier League (16) | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

December 22, 2024

Goals

Diaz 23′ (assist – Alexander-Arnold)

Mac Allister 36′ (assist – none)

Maddison 41′

Szoboszlai 45+1′ (assist – Salah)

Salah 54′ (assist – none)

Salah 61′ (assist – Szoboszlai)

Kulusevski 72′

Solanke 83′

Diaz 85′ (assist – Salah)

With seven key players back after a rest and a ragged Tottenham side unchanged from three days previous, Liverpool were expected to take the fight to their hosts in their push for a comfortable lead at Christmas.

They were almost in front within two minutes after another howler from Fraser Forster – so nearly the villain as Man United fought back in midweek – but Salah could only fire his gift into the side-netting.

Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s outrageous passing and Salah’s sheer will to score were features of the opening stages, the Egyptian denied by Forster, then twice by Djed Spence and then once by the crossbar, with five shots in the first 20 minutes.

It was Alexander-Arnold who teed up the opener with another stunning delivery, whipping in a perfect ball for Luis Diaz who headed into the bottom corner for a goal the PGMOL could not deny this time.

Liverpool were all over Tottenham and were deservedly 2-0 up before long, with Andy Robertson‘s hopeful cross bouncing off bodies and into the path of Alexis Mac Allister, who reacted first to nod in.

Spurs, such is their nature, grabbed one back with minutes left in the first half, James Maddison producing a brilliant finish from outside the box, but then conceded again with a flowing counter seeing Salah feed Dominik Szoboszlai for 3-1.

HT: Tottenham 1-3 Liverpool

Liverpool kept up the pace after the break and were 4-1 up within 10 minutes of the restart, another blistering counter seeing Salah eventually turn home to draw level with Billy Liddell as the all-time fourth-highest goalscorer in the club’s history.

Seven minutes later and Salah moved clear of Liddell with his 229th goal for the Reds, tapping in after excellent work from the outstanding Szoboszlai as Tottenham floundered.

With his side in complete control, Arne Slot opted to withdraw Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo as Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota were sent on in a display of the strength of his squad.

The pace slowed and Tottenham were able to score another through Dejan Kulusevski and then one more through Dominic Solanke, though few beyond Slot, his staff and the players themselves will have been concerned.

Liverpool were so far adrift that it mattered little on the day, with Diaz restoring a three-goal lead after another emphatic move, firing into the bottom corner from Salah’s second assist of the day.

With a trip to Leicester – beaten 3-0 by Wolves earlier on Sunday – to come on Boxing Day, the Reds can enjoy their place at the top of the three for Christmas.

TIA Man of the Match: Mo Salah

Referee: Sam Barrott

Tottenham: Forster; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Sarr (Bergvall 58′), Bissouma; Kulusevski, Maddison (Johnson 58′), Son (Werner 82′); Solanke

Subs not used: Austin, Reguilon, Udogie, Dorrington, Olusesi, Lankshear

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister (Jones 68′); Salah (Elliott 86′), Gakpo (Jota 68′), Diaz (Nunez 86′)

Subs not used: Kelleher, Quansah, Tsimikas, Endo, Nyoni