On December 22, 2024, Liverpool triumphed over Tottenham Hotspur with a spectacular 6-3 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, marking their return to winning form.
The game, part of the Premier League’s 17th round, saw Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah shine brightest, netting two goals and providing two assists. His performance boosted Liverpool's position at the top of the Premier League table with 36 points, maintaining their lead over second place Chelsea.
After drawing their previous two matches, Liverpool was desperate for three points, and they got off to a flying start. Luis Diaz opened the scoring with a header from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s precise cross at the 23rd minute. Just over ten minutes later, Alexis Mac Allister added the second goal, pouncing on a loose ball after Liverpool's attacking sequence.
Tottenham, anxious not to be outdone on their own turf, responded through James Maddison, who capitalized on Liverpool’s defensive lapse with a stunning long-range strike to make it 2-1. But Salah immediately restored the two-goal cushion just before halftime, finding Dominic Szoboszlai with a clever pass, making it 3-1.
After the halftime break, Liverpool maintained their momentum. Salah scored his first of the half early on, taking full advantage of Tottenham's mistakes, before he struck again, this time finishing off Szoboszlai’s assist for Liverpool's fifth goal.
Despite trailing significantly, Tottenham didn’t give up. Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke managed to reduce the deficit with two late goals, firing back within six minutes, invigoritating the home crowd. Yet, Liverpool's Diaz put the game beyond reach, scoring their sixth goal shortly before the final whistle.
For Salah, this match was historic as he became the first player to reach double digits for both goals and assists before Christmas, raising his tally to 15 goals and 11 assists this season alone. Speaking after the match, Salah expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance but noted, "We need to improve defensively, allowing three goals is tough. But this result is solid, and hopefully we can maintain this momentum going forward.”
Liverpool coach Arne Slot praised his players’ efforts, highlighting their attacking capabilities but admitting there remains work to do defensively. Far from perfect, Liverpool's defense had seen them concede significant goals, leading to discussions about the necessity for tactical adjustments.
Japanese player Wataru Endo was on the bench for Liverpool but did not see match action. His continued presence showcases the depth of Liverpool's squad as they seek to maintain their impressive form.
Going forward, Liverpool's next match will be against Leicester City at home, where they will look to carry their offensive momentum and address their defensive vulnerabilities.
This thrilling encounter not only cements Liverpool’s current position at the top but also showcases their fearsome attacking depth led by Salah, who continues to etch his name among the club's greatest players with each performance.
The loss leaves Tottenham struggling mid-table, as they dropped to 10th place with 23 points from 17 matches. This performance, combined with Liverpool's potent attack, emphasizes the unpredictability of this Premier League season as teams vie for top positions.
