Tottenham vs Liverpool LIVE: Result and reaction as teams play out nine-goal thriller in London

Are you not entertained? After the seven-goal thriller came the excitement of nine goals. Tottenham found a way to go two better, but also significantly worse. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has witnessed 16 goals in four days, Spurs have veered from winning 4-3 to losing 6-3. Angeball can veer from the brilliant to the ridiculous, but rarely quite to this extent. And in reply to Ange Postecoglou’s question on Thursday: it was hugely entertaining, but this time too much of the entertainment came at Tottenham’s expense.

Even as Liverpool’s previously impressive defensive record took another dent – it is now eight goals conceded in three league games – they suggested they had a better balance. They have excelled at winning under Arne Slot but have rarely run riot. This time they did both, scoring six in a game for the first time under the Dutchman. It was their most explosive attacking performance, spearheaded – with a certain inevitability – by Mohamed Salah. He ended his afternoon with two goals, two assists and a sense he was too good for Djed Spence, the makeshift left-back who was his immediate opponent.

Liverpool had the irresistible combination of individuals playing wonderfully and a team implementing a strategy. Trent Alexander-Arnoldwas outstanding, his magnificent cross for the opener underlining that few can strike a ball with such an intoxicating blend of whip and precision. Dominik Szoboszlai was terrific: if there are questions if he is productive enough, the Hungary captain ended with a goal and two assists to reward his relentless running. Salah has long excelled at the numbers game and has now been directly involved in 26 Premier Leaguegoals this season.

Liverpool’s next match takes place on Boxing Day, when they take on Leicester City at 8pm.

Spurs’ next match is on the same day, at 3pm, when they take on Nottingham Forest.

“He is a phenomenon.

“Him, Van Dijk and the goalkeeper have transformed Liverpool.”

“He is probably in the top five players to have ever played for Liverpool football club.

“Let’s not forget, they’re the most successful team in this country and they’ve had some legendary players.

“If Liverpool lost Mo Salah, they have more options [than other PL clubs].”

“It’s more than a football decision. It’s about his legacy at Liverpool and how he is seen. Do you want to be seen like Gerrard or McManaman?

“He went to Real Madrid and won cups but he is not adored. He deserves to be.

“As a local player, Trent has been there 20 years. I don’t think it would be nice to have a feeling of leaving on a free. I guarantee Liverpool supporters will feel that way.”

Alexis Mac Allister spoke to BBC, and says that Liverpool “are not happy with the fact we conceded three goals, that’s very cear, but we score six, that’s not very easy”.

“Tottenham are a good team, they press really high, they are aggressive, we knew we had to put the ball in behind and score the opportunities we had. We are happy with the result, there are many things to improve but we’re happy to get the three points.”

On the performance of team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai: “Dom is amazing, he can do everything, on and off the ball he is really good. He played a really good game, same with the attackers. We’re in a really good moment.”

On conceding more goals recently: “At the back we have to play simple and get the ball to them [attackers]. We worked on this the whole week and we try to improve every single day.

“We know we have to concede less, we are not happy with conceding three today, but it is what it is, we play against really good teams. Maybe we have to defend better but also we know we are dangerous when we attack.”

“I’m not sure what you mean by pressure. I’m not happy with where we are. I think people are judging me, they’re not throwing platitudes at me. That’s fair enough.

“I can only navigate us through a difficult period and get to a position where hopefully we have a healthier squad and improve our position on the table.

“If you’re saying 10th is not a good position and I should maybe be uncomfortable, that is for others to judge.”

“It was very good, maybe it was our best performance away from home although I loved what I saw at Man Utd. Total dominance. That was a very good away game as well.

“I think we could have scored more goals today. You can’t score every chance, although I think Tottenham did!

“Mo and Lucho both had two goals, so stood out, but we wouldn’t do justice to Dom’s performance without mentioning him.

“He was an important part of our game plan and executed really well.”

Ange Postecoglou says that the result is “obviously a painful one for us”.

“Credit to Liverpool, they were too good for us. They’re in a great moment, great form, feeling confident. It was a bridge too far for us, We looked like we lacked energy which is understandable.”

On whether there are additional factors influencing performances: “I’m just going to stop answering these questions. If people can’t see the obvious I‘m not going to point it out. Make of it what you want, yes we’re conceding goals.

“If you want to discount the fact we’re missing a goalkeeper, two centre-backs and left-back and that hasn’t coincided with what we’re doing… I don’t know what to say anymore. I think people make up their mind in their own way. They either think what I’m doing is good or bad, and that’s fine.

“It’s fairly significant, if you took out Liverpool’s goalkeeper, two centre-backs and a left-back - or any team other than Liverpool, they’d find it tough going as well.”

Tottenham have conceded 31 goals in Premier League home games in 2024; their most in a single calendar year since 2007 (34).

A stat for fans:

In the last seven seasons when Liverpool have been top of the table at Christmas, they have only won the league once.

It’s difficult to see them not winning this one though.