Football

LIVERPOOL 4-2 TOTTENHAM

May 05, 2024

It had been billed as a potentially tight contest between Liverpool and Tottenham in their Premier League encounter at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, but it did not turn out to be besides a late rally from the visitors. Jurgen Klopp’s side turned on the style with four goals as Tottenham were left reeling. The visitors only managed to get two late goals back in response in the defeat. Tottenham Hotspur’s refreshed hopes of a top-four finish took a major blow after they were beaten 4-2 against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Fourth-placed Aston Villa lost earlier in the day which gave Spurs a route back into the race for UEFA Champions League football, but they were well beaten by Jurgen Klopp’s side to remain seven points adrift.
Mohamed Salah scored on his return to the side and headed Liverpool ahead in the first half, before Andy Robertson doubled the hosts’ lead on the stroke of half-time with a close-range effort.

Liverpool, who were defending what was left of their unlikely title chances, extended their lead shortly into the second period when Cody Gakpo latched onto the end of Harvey Elliott’s cross before the latter rifled a spectacular effort into the top corner for a fourth.
Tottenham threatened to mount a comeback when Richarlison and Heung-Min Son scored late on, but they would only go down as consolation goals as Liverpool held on for maximum points.
TALKING POINT – FOUR DEFEATS IN A ROW FOR DEFLATED SPURS
With Liverpool all but out of the title race, the biggest story going into the match was whether Spurs could pull themselves back into contention for Champions League football next season. Aston Villa lost their first match in five away at Brighton earlier on Sunday, so Ange Postecoglou’s side had the chance to make up some ground.
But Liverpool quickly put those hopes to bed, and quite harshly. Although Spurs got a couple back towards the end, Liverpool bullied Tottenham during large parts of the game when they raced four goals ahead, which has been the story of the week for Spurs. Jurgen Klopp’s side inflicted a fourth defeat in a row on the North London side after losses against Newcastle, Arsenal and Chelsea. Next up? Manchester City.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – HARVEY ELLIOTT (LIVERPOOL)
The young England midfielder has quietly gone about his business this season and on Sunday he showed why he has earned Klopp’s trust to put him in the side. He started the game for his 51st appearance of the season, and he marked it with a stunning goal.
As Liverpool ran away with the game at 3-0, Elliott fired in a fourth with an emphatic finish from outside the box to stretch the Reds’ lead, showcasing his technique in all its glory. It turned out to be an important goal too.

MATCH RATINGS
Liverpool: Alisson 6, Alexander-Arnold 8, Quansah 7, Van Dijk 6, Robertson 8, Mac Allister 7, Endo 6, Elliott 9, Diaz 7, Gakpo 8, Salah 8
Subs: Homez 6, Bajcetic 6, Gravenberch 6, Nunez 6, Szoboszlai N/A
Tottenham: Vicario 6, Porro 5, Romero 5, Van de Ven 5, Royal 5, Sarr 6, Bissouma 6, Bentancur 6, Kulusevski 5, Johnson 7, Son 7
Subs: Skipp 6, Maddison 6, Richarlison 7, Lo Celso 6
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
7’ – OFF THE BAR! Salah tears down the right and sends a cross towards goal with the outside of his left boot. It’s in an awkward area for Vicario as it floats over his head and off the bar. There’s a bit of a goalmouth scramble but Spurs finally get the danger clear. What a chance!
9’ – TWO CHANCES FOR LIVERPOOL! Harvey Elliot drives into the box and slips the ball right for Salah but his low effort is saved by the legs of Vicario. The rebound is struck hard and low by Elliot but Christian Romero blocks in on the line. Liverpool are finding their groove!
16’ – GOAL!!! – LIVERPOOL 1-0 TOTTENHAM (SALAH): There it is! Salah has been a constant threat at the back post and Spurs have finally been caught out. Liverpool drive forward down the left through Cody Gakpo, who cuts in on his right foot and sends a beautiful clip to Salah at the back post who nods past Vicario.
44’ – GOAL!!! – LIVERPOOL 2-0 TOTTENHAM (ROBERTSON): Liverpool double their lead, and they have deserved it! The left-back delivers a low cross to Salah on the edge of the six-yard box which Vicario saves, but Robertson continues his run into the box and cleans up the rebound, smashing it into a largely unguarded net from a yard or two out.
50’ – GOAL!!! – LIVERPOOL 3-0 TOTTENHAM (GAKPO): And it’s three for Liverpool as Gakpo gets in on the action! Emerson Royal loses the ball with his back to goal, Ellitott nicks it off him and crosses towards the back post for Gakpo to head into the bottom left corner. You’d think that’s the job done.
59’ – GOAL!!! – LIVERPOOL 4-0 TOTTENHAM (ELLIOTT): What a finish from Harvey Elliott! Salah tees him up on the edge of the box, he cuts in on his left foot and rifles an effort right into the far top left corner. Vicario had no chance! This could get really ugly for Ange Postecoglou.
72’ – GOAL!!! – LIVERPOOL 4-1 TOTTENHAM (RICHARLISON): The former Everton man pulls one back! Johnson gets down the right and sweeps a low cross into Richarlison who arrives in the box before slipping the ball beyond Alisson with a tidy finish.
77’ – GOAL!!! – LIVERPOOL 4-2 TOTTENHAM (SON): Well, well, well. Son grabs another one back. Richarlison has his back to goal and lays the ball back to Son who slams home to close the gap to two!