Slot’s Liverpool Showcase Title Potential as Salah Demonstrates His Worth
Tottenham’s head coach Ange Postecoglou channeled a moment from cinema greatness following a tumultuous 4-3 Carabao Cup victory over Manchester United, declaring, “Are you not entertained?”
His question was both a statement and a challenge as he assessed his thrilling yet fraught approach to football. After cruising to a 3-0 lead, Spurs nearly let it slip through their fingers—only to emerge victorious in a match that left everyone breathless.
However, the duality of entertainment in football was laid bare when Postecoglou’s Spurs faced a ruthless Liverpool side, who gleefully punished their defensive frailties in an overwhelming 6-3 destruction at home.
Full Time
S. Barrott
For Arne Slot’s Liverpool, this match was downright entertaining—with a lopsided scoreline that bore little resemblance to their unquestionable dominance on the field.
Liverpool’s clinical performance underscores why they sit atop the Premier League standings, four points ahead of Chelsea at Christmas with a game in hand, while Spurs languish in a disappointing 11th position, adrift by eight points from the Champions League places.
Under Postecoglou, the entertainment quotient is rarely in doubt. Yet, the joy quickly turns to agony when faced with the relentless attacking prowess of a team like Liverpool.
In a staggering revelation, Spurs have seen 30 goals fly into their net across the last five matches. Yes, it’s a thrilling spectacle, yet starkly sobering, with 10 goals conceded in back-to-back league losses to Chelsea and Liverpool. Particularly against the latter, the only lingering mystery was how Liverpool only scored six despite conceding three.
Statistics paint a ruthless picture; Liverpool’s expected goals clocked in at 4.6 compared to Spurs’ 1.2. They created nine significant chances, a testament not only to their superiority but also a beacon highlighting the defensive issues Postecoglou shows little inclination to remedy.
Amid these debacles, it’s crucial to note Postecoglou is operating without key players: first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and central defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are significant absentees. The absence of Van de Ven is particularly felt, considering his speed is integral to Postecoglou’s high defensive line.
To further complicate matters, Postecoglou had to cope without suspended midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur—whose presence could have at least posed more challenges for Liverpool’s relentless attack.
With such a depleted squad, Postecoglou had no choice but to stick with the same side that narrowly edged Manchester United just days prior.
In stark contrast, Slot’s Liverpool continue to thrive, having now secured 12 wins and three draws from 16 league matches—a testament to their lethal combination of firepower and defensive solidity, boasting the league’s highest goal difference of plus 21.
Ange Postecoglou has seen his Tottenham side concede 10 goals in their past two home league matches
What a stark contrast it has been with Liverpool under Slot, who, despite the daunting task of following in Jurgen Klopp’s footsteps, has seemingly transformed the club into a tactically astute and formidable force. With Mohamed Salah leading the charge, Slot has tactfully sculpted Liverpool’s inherent aggression into a more disciplined and refined version of itself.
Salah’s two second-half goals took him to a remarkable 229 goals in 373 appearances, surpassing the legendary Billy Liddell—whose name for a time defined Liverpool itself. Salah’s remarkable journey now sees him fourth on the all-time scoring list for the club.
To put it into context, Liddell achieved his tally in 534 matches, revealing just how lethal Salah has been. All that is left for the Egyptian is to chase down Gordon Hodgson (241), Roger Hunt (285), and the indomitable Ian Rush (346).
This season alone, Salah has registered a stunning 15 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League, marking the joint-fastest time a player has reached double figures in both goals and assists since Harry Kane in 2020-21.
Moreover, this marks Salah’s sixth Premier League season with double digits in both categories—an unparalleled record in the league’s history. The numbers reflect his vital role in the team, but it’s also about the intangibles that make Liverpool acutely aware they must secure his signature on a long-term deal.
Mohamed Salah has now moved up into fourth in Liverpool’s all-time scorers list
Slot’s Incredible Run Continues
When Slot inherited the managerial reigns from Klopp during the summer, it felt like an uphill battle. Yet, with each passing week, it becomes increasingly apparent that Liverpool’s choice was a masterclass of management. Slot’s record speaks volumes—21 wins from 25 matches, the fastest any manager has achieved such a feat in top-flight English football since William Sudell at Preston in 1888-89.
This latest commanding victory means Liverpool heads into Christmas Day unbeaten away from home for only the third time in its storied history.
Slot’s calm and composed demeanor sharply contrasts with Klopp’s charismatic fervor—where once there were boisterous fist pumps, now there are reserved acknowledgments to supporters. Yet, under his stewardship, Liverpool still embodies the attacking flair of its predecessor, albeit with newfound stability and steadiness.
Slot wisely noted, “Being top of the league tells you we are a very good team. There are still three games to go until halfway, but if you come here and play the game we did, then it shows you we are a very hard team to beat. If it was easy to win the league then every team would do it.”
This marks the 21st occasion Liverpool finds itself atop the league on Christmas Day, with an impressive historical record of winning the title in 11 of the previous 20 instances.
This is a painful reminder for Postecoglou and his team: they have let in 31 goals in their Premier League home matches this year—the highest tally since they conceded 34 in 2007.
After the match, Postecoglou admitted to the disappointment, stating, “It was a painful one. 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.”
While Postecoglou faces an uphill battle, Slot’s Liverpool appears poised for an optimistic and formidable journey ahead.
Related topics
- Liverpool
- Premier League
