Arne Slot believes Liverpool did everything right in the first hour in a 'spectacular' match in which they beat Tottenham 6-3.
Luis Diaz and Mohammed Salah both scored twice, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai also getting on the scoresheet, as Liverpool moved four points clear to the top of the Premier League.
It is the 21st time the Reds have topped the English top flight on Christmas Day; the most from any side. They have won the title in 11 of the previous 20 seasons (55%).
It was an impressive performance from Slot's side, whose expected goals (xG) figure of 4.6 in this match is the second highest ever recorded in an away match in the Premier League (4.54 against Leeds United in September 2021).
“It was a spectacular match to watch,” Slot told BBC Sport. “For 60 minutes we did everything we had to do. We were comfortable and good with the ball, but the most important thing is that we worked very, very hard.
“But then the same players with the same quality thought that ten or fifteen minutes of not working as hard was good enough.
“Tottenham have enough quality to score goals if you give them chances. You have to be on your toes the whole game and we didn't do that.”
21 – This will be the 21st time Liverpool have topped the English top flight on Christmas Day; the most from any side. They have won the title in 11 of the previous 20 seasons (55%). Checkpoint. pic.twitter.com/7BvkZnmAD1
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 22, 2024
This is the sixth Premier League season in which Salah has scored and assisted ten or more goals (15 goals, 11 assists), the most by any player in the competition's history.
It is also the seventh time this season that he has scored and assisted in a Premier League match, already the most by any player in a single season.
The Egyptian now leads the race for the Golden Boot and Slot was once again pleased with his performance.
“I think in all the years he has played for Liverpool he has always shown that he scores a lot of goals, but even by his standards this may be a little more than what he usually does,” the Dutchman added.
“We need his goals because we also conceded three today. So let's hope he can continue to do this. But of course it is his quality because when he gets into position he scores the goal.”
“But I also have to give credit to the team because they always get him in good positions, and that has led to two goals and two assists. It might have led to more if you look at all the times he got into those positions .” But maybe I want a little too much now.”
Comments