Liverpool surged four points clear at the top of the Premier League with a scintillating 6-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, heading into Christmas in commanding fashion.
The Reds capitalised on Chelsea’s earlier draw at Everton, delivering a masterclass at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium despite a spirited effort from Spurs to mount a comeback.
By half-time, Liverpool led 3-1 courtesy of goals from Luis Díaz, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
James Maddison briefly gave the hosts hope, but Liverpool’s relentless attack proved too strong.
Mohamed Salah doubled his tally early in the second half, and although Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke managed to narrow the deficit, Díaz sealed the win with a decisive strike in the 85th minute.
This victory marks the first time Liverpool will top the Premier League table at Christmas since the 2020/21 season. Meanwhile, Spurs, now in 11th place, face a daunting trip to Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.
Reds Assert Dominance in Style
Liverpool set the tone early, with Salah narrowly missing several chances, including one that rattled the crossbar. The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a sublime cross, which Díaz expertly headed past Fraser Forster.
The lead was doubled 13 minutes later when Mac Allister capitalised on a loose ball, sending a looping header into the net.
However, the Argentinian midfielder’s lapse in concentration allowed Maddison to dispossess him and curl a fine finish into the bottom corner, reducing the deficit.
Liverpool restored their two-goal cushion just before the break, with Salah threading a perfect pass to Szoboszlai, who calmly slotted home. Nine minutes into the second half, Salah turned scorer, tapping into an open net after a lightning-fast counter-attack.
The Egyptian talisman added his second goal of the evening just after the hour mark, converting Szoboszlai’s precise pass.
Spurs rallied late, with Kulusevski’s superb volley and Solanke’s close-range effort injecting drama into the match, but Díaz extinguished any hopes of a Tottenham comeback with his second goal.
Title Hopes Reignited
Liverpool’s attacking prowess was on full display, a stark contrast to the frustration of their recent draws against Fulham and Newcastle.
While topping the table at Christmas is no guarantee of title success – only once in the past seven seasons has the Christmas leader gone on to lift the trophy – this performance will leave fans dreaming of glory.
For Spurs, defensive frailties and missed opportunities will be a concern as they prepare for a challenging festive schedule.
Liverpool, on the other hand, will relish their position as they head into the New Year brimming with confidence.
