Liverpool 4 - 2 Tottenham

Liverpool: Salah 16’, Robertson 45’, Gakpo 50’, Elliott 59’

Tottenham: Richarlison 72’, Son 77’

Pre-Match

Liverpool enter the match in search of form. Spurs arrive at Anfield on the back of a resounding loss against fellow London residents, Chelsea. The Reds could do with a win if, for nothing else, than to ensure that Jurgen Klopp is sent off with positive memories with his last matches at Anfield.

First Half

Early action is pretty positive for Liverpool with Mohamad Salah lofting a gorgeous ball for the far post only to hit the crossbar. Spurs have managed to annoy the Reds a bit with their press, but so far Liverpool have looked quite in control.

And not soon after that, Salah forces a save out of Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario. Harvey Elliott then rifles the rebound towards goal, but Christian Romero clears it off the line. Liverpool look up for this one and that’s something to be grateful for given the recent run of performances.

GOAL!!! Who else but Mohamed Salah to break the deadlock!! Liverpool had been showing their characteristic interplay and on this occasion, Cody Gakpo spots Salah on the backpost and lofts a diagonal right to his head. Beautiful and you can’t say it hadn’t been coming.

An interesting observation at this point, which is about 20 minutes into the match, is that Spurs have had a clear edge in terms of possession. However, you wouldn’t know it by the flow of the match. Which is kind of an inversion of some of the more recent Liverpool matches.

Liverpool have really exerted their hold on this match over the past 20 minutes or so, closing the possession gap but, most importantly, continuing to put pressure on the Spurs goal. The Reds currently have 6 shots total in the match to Spurs’ 1. And honestly Tottenham do not look much of a threat. It’s been a fun half to watch in basically all facets of the game.

GOAL!!! Andy Robertson is there to bundle home a rebound from a Mohamed Salah shot and the Reds are deserved leaders as the clock ticks towards halftime.

Liverpool end the half two goals up but the shot stats - 14 to 1 - really express how dominant the Reds were across all phases of play. Terrific half and a request for more of this not just in this match but to close out the season, please.

Second Half

No changes to the squad to start the half as Liverpool look to continue their scintillating performance from the first half.

GOAL!!! It doesn’t take long for Liverpool to keep that march up as Cody Gakpo turns home a delightful cross from Harvey Elliott to make it three. The Reds are rampant today!

GOAL!!! Less than 10 minutes later, Liverpool make it four as Harvey Elliott puts in a stellar finish to put the Reds up four. Great move by Liverpool and I think I speak for most of us when I say that I’ve really missed this version of the Reds.

Substitution. Andy Robertson and Wataru Endo make way for Joe Gomez and the return of young Stefan Bajcetic. This is a great moment for the midfielder as it marks a full return from his long injury layoff.

Goal. Richarlison puts in what feels like a consolation goal with a nice, lifted finish off of a cross. Won’t say much more except that it feels against the run of play.

Goal. Well, after a flurry of substitutions (including seeing Alexis Mac Allister off), the match has gotten sloppy. Heung-Min Son finishes a layoff from Richarlison and now the Reds’ lead is cut in half.

The match has become quite chaotic with Liverpool spurning a pretty golden chance in the form of Mohamed Salah no more than a yard or so out of the goal, who whiffs on an awkwardly bouncing ball. It’s not quite nervy but the pace has become a bit frenetic.

Spurs’ in-game adjustments have really managed to impact the game but it does look like Liverpool have found their footing again. Chances are still coming for Liverpool and with just about 5 minutes left in normal time, the Reds should be able to see it through and maybe truly ice the game with one more goal to the good.

Liverpool see through the end of the match with a few chances as predicted. Match ends 4-2, Liverpool.

Final Thoughts

Liverpool got the win, helping to right the ship after an unfortunate slide over the last couple of weeks. If I wanted to nitpick, I might be annoyed at the defensive lapses which haven’t gone away. But the win was pretty comprehensive and the scoreline, in my opinion. flatters Spurs.