Mohamed Salah, Harvey Elliott, and Cody Gakpo all had a goal and an assist as Liverpool beat Tottenham 4-2 at Anfield on Sunday in Jurgen Klopp’s penultimate home game as Reds boss.
Andy Robertson also scored for Liverpool, who built a four-goal lead before rebounding from late Richarlison and Heung-min Son goals to keep all three points in the column of the third-place Reds.
WATCH LIVERPOOL vs TOTTENHAM FULL MATCH REPLAY
With Premier League title and top-four hopes gone for Liverpool and Tottenham, respectively, only the hosts showed up for much of the game. Liverpool took 14 of the first half’s 15 shot attempts and comfortably led 2-0 at the break. They finish the weekend assured of no less than third place on the Premier League table this season, their 78 points five away from leaders Arsenal. Both have two matches to play, while second-place Man City have 82 points and three fixtures left in the PL season.
Ange Postecoglou’s side suffered a fourth-straight defeat and their top-four hopes are nearly gone. Spurs have 60 points with three matches left to play, seven behind Aston Villa who have two games left in their domestic season. Tottenham also have to be wary of the teams behind them. Newcastle are four points back with the same amount of remaining matches. Chelsea are six back with the three matches to go, too. Man United are six back with four matches still to come this season.
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Spurs running on fumes (yet eventually running some, nonetheless)
Tottenham had a few good minutes early at Anfield, then largely went to bed for the better part of an hour. It felt like perhaps the season learning and playing Ange Postecoglou’s exuberant and energetic system had finally sucked the players dry (Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds vibes, honestly). But Richarlison’s entry led to a goal and Tottenham suddenly seemed to realize this wasn’t a dead end. Liverpool, of course, doesn’t ever stop playing open football and so we got a nice and entertaining finish (for everyone but Jurgen Klopp). Both of the these teams need their summer recharge, as Arne Slot (presumably) will try to reinvigorate a good but fading Liverpool and Postecoglou will seek to find more players who want to play his way. Spurs can’t quit their charge because of who’s coming up behind them, let alone Aston Villa’s still-congested Run-in, but the North Londoners can clearly use for a rest.
Liverpool 4-2 Tottenham player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Just a fantastic show from Harvey Elliott, who was credited by fotmob with five created chances. Liverpool’s fullbacks were also exceptional, as usual, in a performance that turned back the clock a bit for Jurgen Klopp’s tenure. Heung-min Son was one of a few decent performers for Spurs, and Richarlison shone off the bench. Micky van de Ven was better than his numbers seem to say, in our humble opinion.
Liverpool 4-2 Tottenham player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Liverpool 4-2 Tottenham player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Liverpool remaining games: Aston Villa (A), Wolves (H)
Tottenham remaining games: Burnley (H), Man City (H), Sheffield United (A)
How to watch Liverpool vs Tottenham live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 11:30 am ET, Sunday
TV Channel: Peacock
Online: Premier League on Peacock
Liverpool vs Tottenham live updates — By Nick Mendola
Liverpool vs Tottenham live score: 4-2
Goalscorers: Salah (16'), Robertson (45'), Gakpo (50'), Elliott (59'), Richarlison (73'), Son (77')
Another Spurs answer?! Liverpool 4-2 Tottenham (77th minute)
Oliver Skipp zips down the left side and slices an incisive pass to Richarlison.
The Brazilian sub holds up the ball before finding Heung-min Son, who beats Alisson for Spurs’ second goal.
Clean sheet ruined: Liverpool 4-1 Tottenham (73rd minute)
Alisson Becker can’t get any part of his body to Richarlison’s spinning finish of a Brennan Johnson cross.
Harvey Elliott wonderstrike! Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham (59th minute)
Oh, it’s a pure hit that befits the set-up.
Trent Alexander-Arnold sprays a long diagonal to Andy Robertson, and the left back finds Mohamed Salah all the way back on the Alexander-Arnold’s side of the pitch.
Salah squares to Harvey Elliott, who moves toward the heart of the Spurs’ third and rockets a ball upper 90.
We’re in blowout country.
Cody Gakpo goal! Liverpool 3-0 Tottenham (50th minute)
Gakpo’s got a goal to go with his assist, and it looks a lot like that aforementioned opener.
Harvey Elliott sweeps a cross from the right to the back post and his ball looks to be seeking the runner behind Gakpo, who leaps to turn it home.
Halftime — Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham
There were very early moments for Tottenham, but they now feel like they occurred before Christmas.
That’s the control held by Jurgen Klopp’s men, who have attempted 14 shots to Spurs’ one.
Ange Postecoglou is learning who is passengers are now.
Andy Robertson goal! Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham (45th minute)
Trent Alexander-Arnold sweeps a cross over the field of players for Andy Robertson at the back post, who cuts an incisive pass centrally to Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian’s first touch hit is saved low by Vicario, but Robertson’s followed the ball to tap home for 2-0. Deserved two-goal lead, and how.
Liverpool knocking on door for second
The stats say Tottenham’s had more than half of the ball but almost 100% of that possession feels like it’s been under duress.
Liverpool’s press is lively.
Spurs break on the counter through Heung-min Son but the Reds are prepared for it. It’s still 1-0 in the 33rd minute.
Mohamed Salah goal! Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham (16th minute)
Cody Gakpo arcs a dribble from the corner around the top right corner of the 18 and spins a cross toward the back post.
The Egyptian King is there to leap high and nod into the goal, with Guglielmo Vicario’s left paw just getting a piece as the ball flashes home.
1-0, Reds.
Salah snaps one off the bar
Liverpool is pouring forward and living in Spurs’ third at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah hits a ball off the bar. Guglielmo Vicario makes a foot save. Micky van de Ven makes a desperation intervention at the top of the six. Cristian Romero with a goal line block.
Visibly emotional Klopp takes in YNWA for second-to-last time as boss
It’s the penultimate home match for Jurgen Klopp, who is reaching the end of his long and celebrated tenure as Liverpool boss.
The cameras spy an emotional Klopp taking in the sights and sounds of Anfield ahead of kickoff. It’s a special bond between Klopp and the Kop.
Liverpool lineup
Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Quansah, Robertson, Endo, Mac Allister,, Elliott, Diaz, Salah, Gakpo
Tottenham lineup
Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Royal, Bentancur, Bissouma, Sarr, Kulusevski, Son, Johnson.
Liverpool focus, team news
OUT: Diogo Jota (hip), Joel Matip (torn ACL - out for season), Thiago Alcantara (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Virgil van Dijk (ankle)
Tottenham focus, team news
OUT: Timo Werner (thigh), Destiny Udogie (thigh), Ben Davies (calf), Manor Solomon (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (thigh), Fraser Forster (foot)
