Match ends, Tottenham Hotspur 1, Liverpool 3.
TottenhamTottenham Hotspur1LiverpoolLiverpool3
Liverpool returned to form in impressive fashion as the Premier League champions secured a convincing victory at Tottenham Hotspur.
After a run of five league games without a win - four of those without a goal - Liverpool moved back into the top four as they discovered their cutting edge in style at the expense of an uninspiring Spurs.
Spurs, who lost striker Harry Kane to an ankle injury at half-time, had an early Son Heung-min strike ruled out for offside before Liverpool's threat was rewarded with their first league goal in 482 minutes in first-half stoppage time.
Brazil striker Roberto Firmino took advantage of hesitation between Eric Dier and Hugo Lloris to tap in Sadio Mane's low cross from close range.
France keeper Lloris was at fault again two minutes after the break when he pushed Mane's shot into the path of right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who finished emphatically.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's 20-yard strike gave Spurs hope almost immediately but Liverpool were always in control of an entertaining second period
After Mohamed Salah saw a goal disallowed by VAR for handball against Firmino in the build-up, Mane stole in at the far post to pounce on an error by Joe Rodon to secure the win for Jurgen Klopp's side.
Liverpool are now four points behind leaders Manchester City having played a game more.
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Liverpool overcome more injury woe
This was an outstanding result and performance by Liverpool in the face of yet more central defensive injury problems.
Fabinho, who has excelled in an unfamiliar centre-back role in the absence of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, was ruled out with what was described as a "minor muscle issue" while the fragile Joel Matip lasted only 45 minutes on his return to the side.
It meant Liverpool's central defensive partnership in the second half was captain Jordan Henderson and the inexperienced Nathaniel Phillips.
While that unlikely centre-back pairing coped well, it was at the other end where Liverpool were right back to their brilliant best, with Mane a constant threat while Firmino and Salah were full of menace and creation.
Their disappointing recent form has seen Liverpool drop down the Premier League table and also exit the FA Cup at Manchester United - but the manner of this display was an ominous warning to write off the champions at your peril.
Spurs flat - and now have Kane concerns
Jose Mourinho spent much of the second half bellowing instructions at his Spurs players in an attempt to spark a reaction - but it was to no avail as they produced a lacklustre performance.
Liverpool always carried a greater threat once Son's early finish was ruled out for VAR but it was a moment of indecision between Dier and Lloris that opened the door for Firmino right at the end of the first half.
Then, straight after the break and despite Mourinho warning his players after Spurs let Salah in for a chance, Alexander-Arnold scored to give Liverpool a two-goal advantage moments later.
Son threatened occasionally on the break but even after Hojbjerg's blockbuster from the edge of the box failed to inspire Spurs, who looked devoid of ideas long before the final whistle.
The lack of threat was perhaps less surprising given the loss of Kane, who twice received treatment for ankle knocks before eventually succumbing to the second one on his left ankle which was sustained in an innocuous challenge with Henderson.
Mourinho suggested after the match Kane may miss "a few weeks" and on this evidence Spurs will struggle to be anywhere near their best without their talisman and leading marksman.
Why Liverpool love playing Spurs - every day of the week
- Liverpool have won six consecutive league matches, and three consecutive away league matches, against Spurs for the first time in their history
- Liverpool have now beaten Tottenham in the top-flight on all seven days of the week, becoming just the third side to have done so after Everton and West Ham
- Jose Mourinho has now lost six home league games in charge of Tottenham, more than he has at any of his previous clubs
- All three of Liverpool's Premier League away wins this season have come in London, with the Reds also winning 2-0 at Chelsea in September and 7-0 at Crystal Palace in December
- Roberto Firmino's opener ended Liverpool's run of 482 minutes and 93 shots without a Premier League goal, since Sadio Mane scored against West Brom last month
- Firmino has scored in five of his last six Premier League appearances against Tottenham, including each of his last three against them away from home
- Since the start of last season, Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold has been involved in more Premier League goals than any other defender in the competition (21 - five goals, 16 assists)
- Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's strike was his first goal for Tottenham in all competitions, in what was his 30th appearance for the north London side
What's next?
Liverpool travel to West Ham - the team they leapfrogged in the table by beating Spurs - on Sunday (16:30 GMT). Tottenham are also back in action on Sunday, when they visit Brighton (19:15 GMT).
Player of the match
ManéSadio Mané
with an average of 7.88
Tottenham Hotspur
Avg
Squad number5Player nameHøjbjergAverage rating5.47
- Squad number28Player nameNdombeleAverage rating
4.88
Squad number7Player nameSon Heung-MinAverage rating4.75
Squad number10Player nameKaneAverage rating4.12
- Squad number14Player nameRodonAverage rating
4.00
Squad number33Player nameDaviesAverage rating3.94
- Squad number23Player nameBergwijnAverage rating
3.92
Squad number1Player nameLlorisAverage rating3.82
Squad number15Player nameDierAverage rating3.71
- Squad number2Player nameDohertyAverage rating
3.66
Squad number8Player nameWinksAverage rating3.66
Squad number24Player nameAurierAverage rating3.61
- Squad number9Player nameBaleAverage rating
3.42
Squad number11Player nameLamelaAverage rating3.17
Liverpool
Avg
- Squad number10Player nameManéAverage rating
7.88
Squad number66Player nameAlexander-ArnoldAverage rating7.86
Squad number9Player nameRoberto FirminoAverage rating7.80
Squad number7Player nameMilnerAverage rating7.34
Squad number11Player nameMohamed SalahAverage rating7.33
Squad number14Player nameHendersonAverage rating7.29
- Squad number6Player nameThiago AlcántaraAverage rating
7.08
Squad number5Player nameWijnaldumAverage rating7.07
Squad number26Player nameRobertsonAverage rating7.04
- Squad number47Player namePhillipsAverage rating
6.82
- Squad number1Player nameAlissonAverage rating
6.75
- Squad number17Player nameJonesAverage rating
6.50
Squad number32Player nameMatipAverage rating6.47
- Squad number27Player nameOrigiAverage rating
5.83
Line-ups
Tottenham
Formation 3-4-3
- 1Lloris
- 14Rodon
- 15Dier
- 33Davies
- 24AurierSubstituted forWinksat 45'minutes
- 5Højbjerg
- 28Ndombele
- 2Doherty
- 23BergwijnBooked at 30minsSubstituted forBaleat 81'minutes
- 10KaneSubstituted forLamelaat 45'minutes
- 7Son Heung-Min
Substitutes
- 4Alderweireld
- 6D Sánchez
- 8Winks
- 9Bale
- 11Lamela
- 12Hart
- 17Sissoko
- 27Lucas Moura
- 45Alves Morais
Liverpool
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Alisson
- 66Alexander-Arnold
- 32MatipSubstituted forPhillipsat 45'minutesBooked at 50mins
- 14Henderson
- 26Robertson
- 6Thiago AlcántaraBooked at 24minsSubstituted forJonesat 78'minutes
- 5Wijnaldum
- 7Milner
- 11Salah
- 9FirminoSubstituted forOrigiat 87'minutes
- 10Mané
Substitutes
- 15Oxlade-Chamberlain
- 17Jones
- 18Minamino
- 21Tsimikas
- 23Shaqiri
- 27Origi
- 46R Williams
- 47Phillips
- 62Kelleher
- Referee:
- Martin Atkinson
Match Stats
Home TeamTottenhamAway TeamLiverpool
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home3
- Away14
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away7
- Corners
- Home1
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur 1, Liverpool 3.
Post update
Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur).
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool. Divock Origi replaces Roberto Firmino.
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Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur).
Substitution
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Gareth Bale replaces Steven Bergwijn.
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Offside, Liverpool. Alisson tries a through ball, but Sadio Mané is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool. Curtis Jones replaces Thiago.
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Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Eric Dier.
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Foul by Sadio Mané (Liverpool).
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Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Thiago (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Roberto Firmino.
Goal!
Goal! Tottenham Hotspur 1, Liverpool 3. Sadio Mané (Liverpool) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Trent Alexander-Arnold with a cross.
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James Milner (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur).
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Attempt missed. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Mohamed Salah.
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Foul by Sadio Mané (Liverpool).
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Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Comments
Join the conversation
Against a team lacking in confidence and with a makeshift defence?
Oh dear Mourinho. You are indeed a “specialist in parking the bus”.
And why is Bale not coming on for Kane at half time?
Thanks for that.
Well played Liverpool.
Poor ole Spurs, it’s NEVER going to happen.
Can I say Firmino was immense otherwise.
Well played Liverpool
Congrats Liverpool you deserved the win
Mourinho's tactic hurt my eyes again
3 shots 2 on target what i could say more
Disaster
Never seen anything like it, we beat a supposedly top 6 side away tonight and they still pipe up after getting beaten at home by a team that have won 1 game this season.
Man utd fans the worst in the world.
Maureen 7-1-2 hoooooo
LFC back in the chase.