NOS Football•today, 7:40 PM
Liverpool won at home against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League in a goal-rich match: 4-2, partly thanks to a driven Cody Gakpo.
Until the 72nd minute it was one-way traffic at Anfield. The fans saw glimpses of Jürgen Klopp’s once acclaimed team again. The Liverpool that won the Champions League (2019) and the Premier League after thirty years of waiting, in 2020.
This year, Liverpool also competed for the English title for a long time, but in recent weeks the club dropped out of the battle with Manchester City and Arsenal, after an embarrassing loss against Everton and a draw against West Ham United.
No, a second Premier League title is no longer possible for Klopp, who will probably be succeeded by Feyenoord coach Arne Slot in the summer. Or a miracle must occur. With two games to go, Arsenal have five points more and City four, with an extra match in hand.
Yet Liverpool, with Virgil van Dijk and Gakpo in the starting line-up, once again put pressure on Spurs as usual on Sunday, resulting in a large number of chances and goals. Spurs, with Micky van de Ven, initially barely managed to test goalkeeper Alisson.
It was only in the 54th minute that the London team had its first chance between the posts. Brennan Johnson headed straight into the hands of the Brazilian keeper.
After fifteen minutes of play, Mohamed Salah headed in the 1-0, assisted by Gakpo. The Dutch attacker beautifully spooned the ball to the far post, after which it was a breeze for the sneaking Egyptian to score. It was already his twelfth goal against Tottenham. He only scored more often against Manchester United: fourteen times.
Too eager for the grass
Gakpo played an energetic match. He had good running actions, overview and was strong in the duels. In the first half he was clearly hit in the penalty area, but the former PSV player went too eagerly to the grass, according to the referee.
Just before half time, Liverpool also made it 2-0. Left back Andrew Robertson laid off to Salah. Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario initially turned the Egyptian’s shot, but did not handle the ball properly. Robertson was still able to tap in easily.
In the second half, Gakpo crowned his good play with a goal. Harvey Elliott delivered a cross from the right, which the attacker headed into the net with a mighty nod.
Best goal of the evening
And then the best goal of the evening was yet to come. Elliott received a standing ovation after he scored with his left foot from about 20 meters away. The ball curled wonderfully into the intersection. Vicario had no chance: 4-0.
Afterwards, the Brazilian Richarlison saved the honor for the Spurs, with a well-deserved striker’s goal on a pass from Johnson. A few minutes later, Heung-Min Son also made it 4-2.
Salah’s second goal was disallowed in injury time. He was offside by a few centimeters. And so the score remained 5-2.
