Mohamed Salah struck twice in the first half as Liverpool secured their first win in the Premier League this season with victory at Tottenham.
Liverpool lost their previous two league games against Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, so manager Jurgen Klopp will be delighted with this win at Spurs, who are shaping up to challenge for a top-four spot.
Salah swept home a quick left-foot pass from Darwin Nunez after 11 minutes, then doubled Liverpool’s advantage with Eric Dier’s mis-headed back pass five minutes before the break.
Spurs, without the injured Son Heung-min, were never out of the game as Ivan Perisic hit the woodwork either side of half-time before Harry Kane pulled one back with 20 minutes remaining.
But he failed to complete one of the comebacks that has become his trademark this season.
Liverpool Dug Deep for Victory
Liverpool put some form back into their turbulent season with a Champions League win over Napoli in midweek to once again reach the last 16, although in reality the match was little more than a dead rubber. .
The victory, their first away league win of the season, is all the more important given the opposition and the need to get their Premier League show back on the road after two damaging losses.
Salah showed he is back to his best after a slow start to the campaign. Both goals featured different elements of a goal-scoring masterclass, the first with a touch and quick finish, the second showing coolness and technique to make Dier pay for his mistake.
Last season’s joint Golden Boot winner endured a slow start to his lofty standards with just five goals over the first two months but now has 11 in his last 12 matches.
Boss Jurgen Klopp said: “Even in this slow start, Mo had the most chances in Europe but we didn’t take them or he didn’t take them and that can be a normal phase for a striker. .
“But everyone knows that when you look back at his career, everyone will remember one of the best strikers you’ve ever seen because the numbers will be absolutely insane.
“What pleased me the most tonight is that he scored two goals and then he played like a real, real team player.”
Liverpool also ran on their luck as Perisic’s effort hit the woodwork, and Trent Alexander-Arnold was lucky to escape when Spurs had a penalty appeal waved away after Ryan Sessegnon was pushed to the ground. given. They are still assuming too many possibilities.
Nunez was a relentless, constant threat, while the return of Ibrahimovic has added steel to a Liverpool defense that has been weak at times this season. Goalkeeper Alisson was, as always, reliable and classy, ​​and the reaction at the final whistle showed just how important this win could be for Liverpool.
Spurs Make Mistakes Pay
Tottenham once again made life difficult by falling behind early as Liverpool took advantage of the home side’s wide open spaces on the right, which were exposed several times before going behind.
In the final reckoning, however, it was Dyer’s mistake that left them with a hill too steep to climb, even in a season when they were masters of comebacks.
It wasn’t a Spurs side that just showed up in the second half, as has been the case earlier this season, as they responded well to Salah’s early goal before Dier headed the ball past keeper Hugo Lloris. Illegally attempted. Instead, he simply removed it from his shoulder and put it in the path of an unmarked prayer with inevitable consequences.
Spurs also had a clear penalty case, their frustration compounded when referee Andy Medley awarded a free-kick for an almost identical incident moments later.
Even without the injured Son, Spurs dominated much of the second half but couldn’t capitalize on the chances they created, with Dejan Klosowski showing he can set up moments for Kane’s goals when he returns from injury. What were you missing?
Spurs showed plenty of heart and character, but ultimately paid the price for giving Salah a gift that meant Liverpool were always able to stay out of reach.
Manager Conte opened his press conference by reopening old wounds after Klopp criticized his style of football following last season’s draw at Anfield.
“Before I answer your question, was Jurgen happy with the way we played tonight? Yes? No, because it was important to know his opinion.”
