Are you not entertained? After the seven-goal thriller got here the thrill of 9 objectives. Tottenham discovered a option to go two higher, but additionally considerably worse. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has witnessed 16 objectives in 4 days, Spurs have veered from successful 4-3 to dropping 6-3. Angeball can veer from the sensible to the ridiculous, however hardly ever fairly to this extent. And in reply to Ange Postecoglou’s query on Thursday: it was massively entertaining, however this time an excessive amount of of the leisure got here at Tottenham’s expense.

Whilst Liverpool’s beforehand spectacular defensive report took one other dent – it’s now eight objectives conceded in three league video games – they advised they’d a greater steadiness. They’ve excelled at successful below Arne Slot however have hardly ever run riot. This time they did each, scoring six in a recreation for the primary time below the Dutchman. It was their most explosive attacking efficiency, spearheaded – with a sure inevitability – by Mohamed Salah. He ended his afternoon with two objectives, two assists and a way he was too good for Djed Spence, the makeshift left-back who was his rapid opponent.

Liverpool had the irresistible mixture of people enjoying splendidly and a crew implementing a technique. Trent Alexander-Arnold was excellent, his magnificent cross for the opener underlining that few can strike a ball with such an intoxicating mix of whip and precision. Dominik Szoboszlai was terrific: if there are questions if he’s productive sufficient, the Hungary captain ended with a aim and two assists to reward his relentless operating. Salah has lengthy excelled on the numbers recreation and has now been straight concerned in 26 Premier League objectives this season.

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It was all underpinned by Slot’s blueprint. He spent Friday morning praising Postecoglou and Sunday afternoon exploiting Spurs’ shortcomings. In the event that they have been killed with kindness, Tottenham have been unlocked by Liverpool’s intelligence and incision. Spurs, unlucky to be lacking their first-choice centre-backs, with their most popular left-back solely match sufficient to be on the bench and minus their finest goalkeeper, appeared a shambles on the again if – characteristically – able to scoring three objectives in assault.

So Spurs are within the backside half at Christmas, Liverpool prime of the tree. Extra importantly, they gave loads of indications they are going to nonetheless be there in Could. Even amid the chaos that may be a characteristic of Tottenham’s video games, a lot of it felt deliberate. Spurs’ capability to concede from corners below Postecoglou has been a problem. They floundered right here below a unique type of aerial assault, two headers from crosses in open play. In addition they struggled to trace runners from midfield, an element within the second and third objectives. Their excessive line was exploited for the fifth. It felt as if Slot had famous their weaknesses after which set about capitalising on them.

Tottenham might mirror the harm may have been worse. Salah, who had 5 photographs within the first 18 minutes alone, rifled one in opposition to the bar. Szoboszlai rounded Fraser Forster however solely discovering the side-netting. Alexander-Arnold drew a beautiful save from the goalkeeper with a vicious effort from lengthy vary. Diaz lobbed the goalkeeper, stranded in no-man’s land, however discovered the roof of the web.

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And, not for the primary time, Spurs felt their very own worst enemies. The tone was set when Forster handed straight to Salah within the second minute. He was reprieved when the Egyptian shot into the side-netting. Parity didn’t final lengthy.

Diaz had a aim controversially disallowed away at Tottenham final season. He bookended the scoring right here with a brace, ending his seven-game aim drought, rewarding Slot’s resolution to make use of a winger as a striker. He delivered a typical No 9’s aim with a diving header from Alexander-Arnold’s fantastic cross, eluding Radu Dragusin and Pedro Porro. His second was a extra acquainted Diaz aim, pushed in from Salah’s cross.

Liverpool’s second was notable as a result of two of their central midfielders emerged unchecked inside just a few yards of Tottenham’s aim. It paid off. When Andy Robertson crossed, Szoboszlai received the primary header and Alexis Mac Allister, who had gone unchecked on a burst from deep, headed in. It was a run that was testomony to the Argentinian’s footballing intelligence. However the rampant Szoboszlai was equally unmarked when he ran on to Salah’s cross to attain the third.

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Slot’s unusually emphatic celebration might have signified that he felt the sport was over. Removed from it. Regardless of two blocks by Archie Grey, Salah was ready so as to add the fourth after Cody Gakpo’s low cross. Then he had a tap-in, equipped by Szoboszlai.

However Spurs had lowered the deficit earlier than half-time when James Maddison curled in a shot from 20 yards. Then they mustered a late double. The indefatigable Dejan Kulusevski volleyed in from Son Heung-min’s cross. The previous Liverpool ahead Dominic Solanke conjured a close-range end from Brennan Johnson’s header.

Diaz ensured there was no astonishing comeback, no 5-5 draw. He scored Liverpool’s sixth aim on a day when he and Salah had seven photographs apiece and Szoboszlai six. There was leisure aplenty. It was Angeball in its flawed glory. Although, admittedly, very flawed.