Anfield Index
·24 dicembre 2024
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·24 dicembre 2024
The atmosphere at White Hart Lane was tremendous and the game matched the pre-Christmas occasion, with a nine-goal thriller in this Super Sunday encounter that very much lived up to its name.
Below is how the team lined up, with match details following.
GK – Alisson Becker
RB – Trent Alexander Arnold
RCB – Joe Gomez
LCB – Virgil van Dijk (c)
LB – Andy Robertson
CM – Alexis Mac Allister
ACM – Dominik Szoboszlai
CM – Ryan Gravenberch
RF – Mohamed Salah
CF – Luis Díaz
LF – Cody Gakpo
Subs
Diogo Jota – Cody Gakpo (67 mins)
Curtis Jones – Alexis Mac Allister (67 mins)
Harvey Elliott – Mohamed Salah (87 mins)
Darwin Núñez – Luis Díaz (87 mins)
Tottenham 0 – 1 Liverpool
Luis Díaz (Trent Alexander Arnold) 23 mins
Tottenham 0 – 2 Liverpool
Alexis Mac Allister (Dominik Szoboszlai) 36 mins
Tottenham 1 – 2 Liverpool
James Maddison – 41 mins
Tottenham 1 – 3 Liverpool
Dominik Szoboszlai (Mohamed Salah) 45+1 mins
Tottenham 1 – 4 Liverpool
Mohamed Salah – 54 mins
Tottenham 1 – 5 Liverpool
Mohamed Salah (Dominik Szoboszlai) 61 mins
Tottenham 2 – 5 Liverpool
Dejan Kulusevski (Dominic Solanke) 72 mins
Tottenham 3 – 5 Liverpool
Dominic Solanke (Brenna Johnson) 83 mins
Tottenham 3 – 6 Liverpool
Luis Díaz (Mohamed Salah) 85 mins
Possession
Tottenham 51% – 49% Liverpool
XG
Tottenham 1.25 – 4.60 Liverpool
Total Shots
Tottenham 9 – 24 Liverpool
Corner Kicks
Tottenham 7 – 5 Liverpool
Off Sides
Tottenham 4 – 4 Liverpool
Fouls
Tottenham 7 – 9 Liverpool
Goalkeeper Saves
Tottenham 6 – 2 Liverpool
The opening period of the game was fast-paced and intense, with both teams looking to implement strong offensive strategies. Liverpool started strong, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Díaz leading the press. In the early stages, the away team created several half-chances, eventually leading to the first goal. A pinpoint cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold, the vice-captain, arced into the heart of the Tottenham penalty area and was met by Colombian forward Luis Díaz, who headed the ball past Spurs’ backup goalkeeper, Fraser Forster.
As Liverpool maintained their intensity and aimed to add a second goal, just 13 minutes later, Scotland international captain Andy Robertson sent a hopeful cross toward the back post. This allowed Hungarian international Dominik Szoboszlai to challenge for the ball and create a situation that Tottenham’s defence struggled to handle. The on-rushing Alexis Mac Allister capitalized on the Lilywhites’ shortcomings and headed home from close range.
With Liverpool poised to score with every attack, a moment of indecision from Alexis Mac Allister led to a turnover, giving James Maddison an opportunity. Taking advantage of a disjointed defensive line from Virgil van Dijk’s squad, Maddison curled a fine effort into the corner of Alisson Becker’s goal, with the Brazilian keeper unsighted by the well-placed shot from outside the box.
As the commentary team speculated on the implications for each team’s halftime talk, a hopeful clearance from Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold ignited a last-gasp counterattack. A clever interplay between the Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah, and eventual goalscorer Dominik Szoboszlai ended with Szoboszlai sliding the ball beneath the giant frame of Fraser Forster.
The half ended with Liverpool leading by a well-deserved scoreline of 3-1, following an exhilarating half of football from the visitors.
At the start of the second half, Liverpool made no changes, sending out the same eleven players who had dominated the first half.
After some exchanges between the two sides, the assist and goal-scoring combination from Liverpool’s third goal set the stage for the fifth goal of the match. During another impressive counterattack, Luis Díaz and Cody Gakpo combined on the left flank, with Gakpo pulling back a cross that ended in a scramble before record-breaking scorer Mohamed Salah found the net.
Not satisfied with a 4-1 lead, Liverpool’s superstar, Salah, doubled his tally following a precise square ball from his powerful teammate, Dominik Szoboszlai. With the score reading an extraordinary 5-1 at a stunned White Hart Lane, Liverpool’s substitutions created enough confusion for Tottenham to capture two well-taken goals. Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke each scored against a helpless Alisson Becker, setting up a more dramatic finish to this exciting match.
Any hopes for a dramatic comeback were extinguished by Porto attacker Luis Díaz, who closed out the scoring with a fine strike. Throughout this captivating contest between two of the Premier League’s standout attacking sides, Dominik Szoboszlai was unplayable, and thoroughly deserving of the Man of the Match award. Mohamed Salah contributed two additional goals and an assist to solidify another standout performance in a ferocious team effort.
This contest was emphatic and wonderful to watch, showcasing two coaches eager to leave a strong impression. Arne Slot defied expectations with his remarkable start in the Premier League, while Ange Postecoglou is now edging closer to the exit after such a heavy defeat. The future looks bright for Liverpool; with Christmas Day approaching, this red juggernaut from Merseyside confirmed their position at the top of the table for the holiday, solidifying their status as title favourites.
Steven Smith’s Score Prediction;
Tottenham 1 – 2 Liverpool