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Liverpool hit Tottenham for six and extend lead at the top after nine-goal thriller
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Liverpool hit Tottenham for six and extend lead at the top after nine-goal thriller

Rampant Liverpool hit Tottenham for six to ensure they hold a four-point advantage at the top of the Premier League at Christmas.

The Reds produced a masterful attacking display in north London with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah on target twice in a 6-3 victory.

It was a well-deserved success for Arne Slot’s men and they have made it 21 wins in 25 matches since the Dutch manager replaced Jurgen Klopp in the summer, further proof that Liverpool are currently the best team in the country.

Spurs – who were missing eight players – could never reach the energy levels of a midweek Carabao Cup quarter-final triumph over Manchester United and were 5-1 down at one point before pull themselves together, but Ange Postecoglou’s team remains 11th after one defeat in eight championships. of the season.

It was a dress rehearsal ahead of the League Cup semi-finals, but Liverpool were already assured of top spot at Christmas following Chelsea’s goalless draw at Everton earlier in the day.

Spurs put in a big physical effort on Thursday, which was not helped by two errors from Fraser Forster, who would have hoped for a calm start but hit Salah straight after three minutes only for the Liverpool striker to hit the side netting .

It was a warning signal not heeded as the visitors continued to dictate and Forster had to save from Salah before Pape Sarr slid in to thwart Dominik Szoboszlai.

Slot’s men continued to probe as Cody Gakpo launched an effort and Djed Spence denied Salah with two consecutive blocks.

Another twist inside the box from Salah created a chance, but he fired against the crossbar under pressure from Archie Gray.

It was still only a matter of time before Liverpool scored and the breakthrough came in the 23rd minute.

Trent Alexander-Arnold had too much space and his deep cross picked out the unmarked Diaz to head home for his 10th goal of the season.

One quickly became two when Alexis Mac Allister nodded home after 36 minutes to put the away team on cruise control.

An Andrew Robertson cross caused problems this time and after Szoboszlai made a nuisance of himself in the Spurs penalty area, Mac Allister beat the onrushing Forster to make it 2-0.

Tottenham rallied, Son Heung-min sending in a left-footed strike before Liverpool gifted the hosts a goal in return.

Mac Allister was too loose in possession and robbed by Dejan Kulusevski, allowing James Maddison to carry the ball forward and score his eighth goal of the season.

Maddison urged the crowd to believe it, but Liverpool showed their ruthless streak with a third goal in the second minute of first-half injury time.

Radu Dragusin was beaten in the air by Szoboszlai, who received the ball back from Salah and slipped under Forster for a brilliant breakaway effort.

The score was 4-1 nine minutes into the second half when Tottenham were caught out in transition and Liverpool scored a classic breakaway effort.

Diaz combined with Gakpo, whose cross was half cleared by Gray, who then blocked Szoboszlai’s follow-up effort, but Salah was on hand to score.

Shortly after Szoboszlai fired into the side netting, he brilliantly gifted Salah for Liverpool’s fifth goal.

Spurs were again blown open by a counter-attack as Szoboszlai was played and passed selflessly to Salah, who scored his 18th goal of the season in simple fashion.

Only a quick save from Forster to deny Alexander-Arnold’s piledriver prevented another before Tottenham rallied.

Kulusevski led the charge and reduced the deficit – with 18 minutes remaining – with a fine volley from Dominic Solanke’s chipped pass to score for a fifth straight match.

Spurs fans stuck with their team and were rewarded with another goal in the 83rd minute as Solanke fired over the head of Brennan Johnson.

Tottenham’s fun quickly ended when Diaz expertly rifled into the bottom corner two minutes later after another Salah assist to secure another result for leaders Liverpool.