Alexis Mac Allister celebrates scoring their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 22, 2024
Well done boys, good process. Having earlier in the afternoon seen opportunity knock to extend their lead at the Premier League summit, Liverpool barged through the door in exhilarating fashion here in North London.
And, in doing so, Arne Slot’s side sent out a compelling statement they are a side that will take some shifting from the top of the table after a remarkable, ridiculous afternoon at Tottenham Hotspur.
Slot, forever striving for impossible perfection, was swift to be critical of the last 25 minutes when Liverpool, their collective feet easing off the gas, gave the home side false hope of a comeback that was never, ever going to happen.
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But this was instead a story about what went before as the Reds not so much cleverly negotiated as emphatically hurdled a potential banana skin against unpredictable opposition to take advantage of a favour from, of all clubs, Everton holding second-placed Chelsea.
Of course, it was in this part of the capital last year that Liverpool suffered a VAR-infected defeat that, in retrospect, signposted why they would ultimately fall short in their title challenge.
There was no chance of that here. And if the Reds were ahead of schedule last term, this increasingly appears as though this can be their time.
Both Arsenal and Chelsea, the pair now emerging as the Reds’ main title contenders with Manchester City now 12 points adrift after playing a game more, had already won at Tottenham this season. Neither, though, had claimed victory in quite such fashion.
And while Liverpool's forward line will undoubtedly command the greater attention, this was a win forged on the collective performance of the midfield particularly during the first half in which the visitors suffocated the life out of the home team.
Ryan Gravenberch, gliding and ghosting his way through the centre of the park, continually put the visitors on the front foot while Alexis Mac Allister, although largely operating under the radar, dug in on his return to Premier League action and popped up with the second goal.
The duo, though, had to cede supremacy to Dominik Szoboszlai, whose pressing, energy and swift use of the ball in between the lines made him impossible for Tottenham to control, with his strong running and willingness to nick possession helping him score one goal and play a key role in several others. This was the Hungarian at his most devastatingly effective.
The importance of the battling draw at home to Fulham last weekend was made evident by this result, Liverpool maintaining their momentum and taking three points where last season they took none.
Not even Stockley Park could ruin this afternoon. Merry Christmas, Liverpool.