Liverpool’s excellent start to the season showed no signs of slowing down on Sunday, emerging victorious in a chaotic 6-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur to ensure they would have a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League table heading into Christmas.
The Reds were on the offensive from start to finish, needing their attackers to stay fit to survive a chaotic match. Luis Díaz and Mohamed Salah each scored a double and both teams accumulated goals, especially necessary in a dramatic second half in which five goals were scored. Liverpool had a 5-1 lead with half an hour remaining, which was an unexpected setup for a wild finish with nine goals in total before the final whistle, just two goals shy of the Premier League record.
The first 60 minutes were emblematic of the ease with which Arne Slot’s side have played since joining the club this summer, barely missing a beat despite instilling a notable change in playing style from the preferences of Jurgen Klopp. Although Liverpool’s version of Slot has been known for its restraint, Sunday’s game against Tottenham allowed them to show a more dynamic form that has already manifested itself on a handful of occasions this season. The Reds were as incisive as ever, easily slipping through Spurs’ pressure and finding their way to goal quickly and easily. In that case, it would have been difficult for any backline to remain solid, but it was even more difficult for a depleted Spurs team lacking their starting goalkeeper and centre-backs. When Salah completed his brace to give Liverpool a 5-1 lead in the 61st minute, the Reds had 17 shots to Spurs’ five, eight shots on target to the opposition’s two and an impressive 5.1 expected goals. while the Spurs had only 0.18. .
However, things began to fall apart after that goal, perhaps a warning that taking the foot off the gas against a depleted but capable team could create some unexpected drama. Goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke created a narrower margin of victory than initially anticipated, even if Diaz’s second goal of the game ensured Liverpool had a three-goal margin of victory. Sunday’s game marked the third time in four games that Slot’s team conceded at least two goals, a departure from the defensive solidity that has defined them so far this season. However, unlike their recent draws against Newcastle United and Fulham, the victory over Spurs demonstrates their ability to survive defensive lapses thanks to their in-form attack. That includes Salah, who now has 16 goals and 13 assists this season, even as his time at Liverpool could be coming to an end.
Even in an imperfect victory, there is still little indication that Liverpool’s control of the title will diminish any time soon. Their four-point lead over second-placed Chelsea does not take into account the fact that the Reds have a game in hand, and the festive period is expected to be an enjoyable experience for the Reds with games against Leicester City and West Ham United. It all depends on Liverpool, including the reputation of the teams occupying the top spot at Christmas – 10 of the last 15 teams to occupy that spot have won the title, suggesting a good new year ahead for the Reds.
