Liverpool 4 Tottenham 2
The reverse fixture between these two teams was steeped in controversy. At the time, Tottenham sat at the top of the Premier League, how times have changed. Now as they travelled to Anfield, they needed a win to keep their dreams of a top four spot alive.
Jurgen Klopp is heading into his last three games in charge of The Reds and it will no doubt be an emotional time for him come the final day of the season. Despite having nothing much to play for now, the German will want to see his side finish strongly.
Liverpool started in positive fashion with Salah cutting in from the right wing. He flicked the ball towards goal with the outside of his left foot, only to see the ball flick the crossbar and come back into play. It was a cheeky effort from the ‘Egyptian King’.
The Reds piled the pressure on Spurs and Salah had another sight of goal but Vicario did well to save. Elliott reacted quickest to the loose ball but his shot was cleared off the line by Romero. Klopp’s side were knocking on the door early on.
Credit: @premierleague
Gakpo picked the ball up out on the left and checked onto his right foot before clipping a ball in towards the back post. Salah was there to head home but you have to question whether the Tottenham keeper should be getting beaten at his near post so easily.
Postecoglou’s side continued to try and play their way out of defence. All too often it got them into trouble as they gave the ball away. As Liverpool worked it to the back post, Alexander Arnold saw his left-footed shot go narrowly over the crossbar.
Spurs just could not get out of their own half. As Elliott crossed from the byline, Robertson found Salah who poked an effort towards goal. Vicario got down to make the save but it was tapped home by the Liverpool left back who had continued his run into the box.
Into the second half, as Tottenham tried to come forward, Liverpool just picked them off on the break. Elliott robbed Emerson Royal of the ball and clipped in a cross for Gakpo to rise above the defender to head home. The Anfield faithful were enjoying their day in the sunshine.
The visitors came forward on a rare attack and as the ball was whipped in, Johnson found some space to get a header off at goal. Despite having little to do in the game so far, Alisson got down well to make the save and deny the Welshman.
Elliott capped off a brilliant performance when Salah laid the ball off to him on the edge of the box. He sold the defender a dummy before cutting onto his left foot and bending one in the top corner to score a fourth for Jurgen Klopp’s side. It was a stunning strike from the youngster.
Credit: @premierleague
This looked like it was going to be a convincing victory for the hosts but Spurs had other ideas. Johnson crossed from the right and Richarlison deftly flicked it past Alisson to get what seemed to be a consolation goal for the visitors.
The former Everton striker was causing problems for the Liverpool defence. With fifteen minutes remaining, Skipp found Richarlison in the box with his back to goal. He laid it off to Son who stroked the ball home to put some doubt in minds of the hosts.
Klopp’s side should have put the game to bed when Elliott’s cross found Gakpo at the far post. He headed the ball across goal, with Salah seemingly having a simple tap in from two yards out. Inexplicably, the Egyptian missed the ball completely as it went out for a goal kick.
Richarlison burst into the box again and got a shot away with his weaker left foot. Alisson made a great one-handed save but as the ball looped up towards the back post, Gomez did well to clear his lines with Johnson lurking to tap it in.
The Reds held on for the victory which put Tottenham’s hopes of Champions League football in serious doubt. Aston Villa look favourites to secure fourth spot with only two games remaining. Klopp will be pleased with a win in his penultimate Anfield appearance.
Did you enjoy this article? Please share to your social media. With one click you can help spread the word and make Solid at the Back the one-stop shop for all Premier League fans.