Liverpool and Harvey Elliott turn on style to deal hammer blow to Spurs' top-four hopes

• Published date: 05 May 2024
• Author: Andy Hunter at Anfield
• Publication title: Irish Times: Web Edition Articles (Dublin, Ireland)

Tottenham were offered a route towards Champions League qualification but ignored the directions. Ange Postecoglou's team were woeful as they succumbed to a fourth consecutive Premier League defeat that should extinguish their top four hopes as Liverpool rediscovered their verve in Jürgen Klopp's penultimate home game. The scoreline flattered the conquered

Liverpool cruised towards victory for 72 minutes until Spurs' substitute Richarlison and captain Son Heung-min sparked a mini-crisis of confidence among Klopp's team. It soon passed. For the second Sunday in succession Spurs came alive only when staring at a comprehensive pounding but, just like the north London derby, their late flurry fooled no one. Liverpool were richly deserving of a win delivered by Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott.

Spurs came into the game knowing Champions League qualification was back in their hands following Aston Villa's defeat at Brighton. The problem for Postecoglou is Spurs are not a Champions League team, and that was made abundantly clear at Anfield. Incentive alone cannot compensate for flimsy defensive organisation and a largely ineffective forward line.

The visitors started sharply but, while tidy in possession, they were hopeless out of it. With Salah back in the Liverpool starting line-up following his petulant row with Klopp at West Ham and granted the freedom of the right wing by Emerson Royal, the hosts were able to enjoy the comforts of home after a few damaging results on the road.

Postecoglou's team wilted at the first sign of Liverpool pressure. The only fight in a quite pathetic first-half performance from Spurs came in a half-time bust-up between Cristian Romero and the lazy Royal. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario had to intervene as a peacemaker.

Salah, given a rousing reception when the teams were announced before kick-off, struck the crossbar from Liverpool's first attack of note, curling an effort with the outside of his boot over Vicario and against the woodwork. A desperate clearance by Micky van de Ven prevented the recalled striker pouncing on Gakpo's header as Spurs struggled to hang on. Desperate is a fitting description of their defensive efforts. Static, slow, weak and careless are also applicable.

Vicario saved from Salah when the Egypt international was put through on goal by Elliott, who swept the rebound beyond the visiting goalkeeper only for Romero to block on the line. The opportunity stemmed from a dreadful touch...