Liverpool 4-1 Tottenham – Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as Harvey Elliott nets SCREAMER as dominant Reds make light work of struggling Spurs

Alisson makes a stunning save from Son Heung-Min, but it doesn’t matter as the flag goes up.

It was the most obvious offside I have seen in a long time, but as per protocol, the flag had to stay down.

The Liverpool players didn’t even bother trying to defend…

Anfield jeers James Maddison as he sails an effort from distance over the bar.

To be fair to Maddison, he is at least making an effort to try and get one back.

Yves Bissouma is now in the book for Spurs for dissent, he’s not had a very good day.

That allows for Jurgen Klopp to make a monumental substitution for a certain youngster.

Stefan Bajcetic steps onto the Anfield turf for the first time in the Premier League this season, following a long time out with injury.

He gets a huge cheer as he replaces Wataru Endo. Joe Gomez is also on for goalscorer Andy Robertson.

Ange Postecoglou has now seen enough, he makes a triple-change.

Richarlison, James Maddison, and Oliver Skipp all enter the fray, and Rodrigo Bentancur, Dejan Kulusevski, and – you guessed it – Emerson Royal all make way.

You don’t hit them much sweeter than that, Elliott receives the ball on the edge of the area from Mo Salah and bends it straight into the top corner.

Emerson Royal is involved in a bad way again, he should have cleared the ball with his head, but instead let it go over his head to Salah. You know the rest.

This could be any number, Liverpool are in dreamland.

I know I have already said it, as has Gary Neville, but Emerson Royal is really having a stinker.

He has just been booked for a pull of the shirt stopping the hosts from going on the counter-attack.

A rare chance for Spurs, and it’s a very good one.

Brennan Johnson does really well to dive and meet a cross with his head, but his header is straight at Alisson.

If he managed to find a corner, Alisson would not have got there.

Much better from the visitors.

Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports on the third goal:

Emerson Royal’s afternoon just got a lot worse. He doesn’t know Elliott is backing up play, no idea where he is and he just sees an area at the back-post that interests him. Gakpo, it’s no mean feat beating Romero in the air, to get the power and head it down into the corner is really good. A goal and an assist for Liverpool’s number 18.

Liverpool are really enjoying themselves, and so are their fans.

The Reds are full of confidence and they work the ball from left to right before Mo Salah has a bending effort deflected wide. They are hungry for more.

Anfield is a cauldron of joyous noise right now, ‘Allez, Allez, Allez’ rings around the stadium.

I wrote about Emerson Royal at the break for being poor, and he is at fault for the third…

Harvey Elliott pinches the ball of the Spurs full-back and whips in a lovely cross for Cody Gakpo to head home.

It’s an impressive leap by Gakpo, he beats Cristian Romero in the air with ease, which is not easy.

Liverpool are running away with it.

Liverpool starting this second half as they finished the first.

The Red arrows race forward on the counter-attack and Mo Salah gets in again.

However, he can’t sort his feet out and his effort is far too comfortable for Guglielmo Vicario.

The ball is rolling again at Anfield.

There have been no changes at the break, but Spurs could do with a change in performance levels in this second half.

Can they come back, or will Liverpool continue to have joy?

I think it’s fair to say, Emerson Royal has not been at his best today.

Mo Salah, as you say, has had him on toast. The Spurs full-back lost track of Salah for the goal, and that’s not the only time.

You feel that if Ange Postecoglou is going to make a change, it will probably be at left-back.

Not to mention, Emerson got into an intense argument with Cristian Romero as they went in for half-time.

Andy Robertson is enjoying life in front of goal at the moment.

It’s very rare for the Liverpool man to score one goal, but he now has two in two matches.

It’s that rare, that it’s actually the first time he has managed it in the Premier League.

He looked like a natural goalscorer for that second.

That is the best half of football Liverpool have played in a while.

Now that the pressure is off, it seems the Reds are playing with the freedom we are used to seeing from them.

Both goals were very well worked, specifically the first from Mo Salah, it was a smashing header.

Watch and enjoy, Liverpool fans.

Aadam Patel, Mail Sport, at Anfield:

You get the feel that it’s game over with that second goal. There’s a carnival atmosphere at Anfield with the sun out and The Kop going through the songbook. They know they have to enjoy every last bit of time they have with Jurgen Klopp and they’re doing just that.

Anfield roars as it looks like Mo Salah is through one-on-one, but Guglielmo Vicario races out of his net to clear.

And there goes the whistle, Liverpool take a two-goal lead into the break, and they probably should have more.

Following a bright opening 10 minutes from Tottenham, it’s been a barrage of opportunities coming from the men in red shirts.

Ange Postecoglou has another big team talk on his hands…

Liverpool do have their second!

I can’t believe I am writing this, but Andy Robertson has two goals in two games…

The Reds full-back reacts quickest to tap home from close range after Guglielmo Vicario parried MoSalah’s strike into his path.

Pape Sarr goes into the book.

Paul Tierney seemingly gives him a yellow card for stopping Liverpool trying to take a free-kick.

He just wants some respite…

Liverpool really should have put this match to bed.

Tottenham give the ball away at the back and Liverpool come once again.

The Reds work it across to Trent Alexander-Arnold who fires an effort narrowly over the bar.

Are Liverpool going to rue these missed chances?

Name a more iconic duo than Luiz Diaz and an acrobatic effort?

That might be a stretch, but Diaz loves to try the spectacular, and he goes for it once again as he scissor-kicks the ball well wide of the post.

It really is a barrage of Liverpool attacks at the moment.

Joe Bernstein, Mail Sport, at Anfield:

Liverpool fans have enjoyed themselves today as if accepting they aren’t going to win further trophies this season has released the pressure.

The team are playing with the intensity and energy of Klopp’s best teams and on the balance of play deserve to be further than one goal in front.

Liverpool are all over Tottenham like a rash.

Jurgen Klopp’s men win the ball back once again, and they are on their way.

It ends up at the feet of Cody Gakpo, however, his shot is tame, and it’s an easy save for Guglielmo Vicario.

Liverpool will want the second while they are on top.

Time just felt like it stopped…

Mo Salah’s cross is headed into the air and feels like it takes an age to drop. When it does, Andy Robertson sets himself, but his volley is deflected away.

Would have been a stunner if it hit the back of the net.

Anfield screams in unison for a penalty as Cody Gakpo goes down in the area. Paul Tierney says no.

Gakpo did go down theatrically, he jumps after the smallest bit of contact with Micky Van de Ven.

A chaotic minute then ensues as Tottenham break, before Liverpool do the same.

The ball ends up in the hands of Guglielmo Vicario as Mo Salah can’t pull the trigger after racing through.

Tottenham are hanging in there at the moment.

Pedro Porro is forced to turn the ball over the bar following a fizzing cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Harvey Elliott then takes down the ball stunningly following the set-piece, but the whistle goes for offside.

Lovely footwork on display there.

Anfield are currently serenading Jurgen Klopp.

They are singing ‘they are in love with him’ to the tune of ‘I feel fine’ by The Beatles.

Klopp usually isn’t one to appreciate being sung about during the game, but I’m sure he can let this one slide considering he only has two matches left.

I bet he is enjoying what he is seeing from his side in the first 28 minutes.

That was a scruffy few seconds…

The ball breaks nicely for Luis Diaz and he wrestles to break clear in the box, but Guglielmo Vicario smothers him.

However, the ball then breaks for Cody Gakpo who can’t get a shot away.

I would explain that as similar to when you are a young player chasing the ball and everyone wants a piece of the action!

Despite the opening few minutes, Liverpool have looked much more like themselves today.

They are passing the ball around with potency and are racing in behind the Totttenham defence with regularity.

Joe Bernstein, Mail Sport, at Anfield:

Mo Salah looks in the mood as he ends to an unusual run of four Premier League games without a goal. He’s had a hat-trick of opportunities already.

Mo Salah is smiling again!

After everything that has happened over the past seven days, that is a huge goal for Salahg and for Liverpool.

Cody Gakpo clips a delightful ball to the back post, Salah leaves his man and heads home.

The first thing that comes to Salah’s face is a beaming smile, he has his 18th goal of the Premier League season.

I was just about to say ‘How are Liverpool not ahead?’ but the offside flag goes up anyway.

The ball is floated to the back post and Mo Salah hits the post with a first-time effort, and then the ball goes right back across the line, but Cody Gakpo can’t turn it home.

Liverpool have suddenly come to life.

Guglielmo Vicario is called into action and he does very well to get low and deny Mo Salah as he races through.

The ball then falls to Harvey Elliot who looks set to score, but his half-volley is straight at Vicario.

The hosts all of a sudden mean business.

Mo Salah hits the bar, that came out of nowhere!

Liverpool have been on the backfoot early on, but Salah surprises everyone in Anfield and bends one onto the crossbar.

Spurs can’t clear, and Cody Gakpo nearly sets up Salah for another bite at the cherry but it doesn’t reach him.

Liverpool forge forward for the first time and ends up in Guglielmo Vicario’s arms.

Andy Robertson wins the ball high up the pitch and drives down the left-hand side, but there is no one in the box and his cross is an easy one to take for Vicario.

Anfield cheers as Yves Bissouma wallops one over the bar following the free-kick.

It sat up nicely for the midfielder, but he was leaning back. It never looked like it was going to trouble Alisson.

It’s Tottenham who have started the brighter in this one.

They very much have a point to prove after their poor display away at Chelsea in midweek.

They now have a dangerous set-piece on the left-hand side.

Here we go then, Tottenham get the ball rolling at Anfield.

Can they end their losing streak on Merseyside, or will Liverpool refind their form?

The teams arise from the tunnel to a cauldron of noise, Anfield is up for this one today.

The Premier League anthem is over nice and quickly, and then comes time for ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.

As ever, it is sung beautifully. The sight of the Kop is certainly one to behold on a day like this.

Joe Bernstein, Mail Sport, at Anfield:

Mo Salah’s name received an extra-loud cheer from The Kop when read out as part of Jurgen Klopp’s starting line-up. There was a backlash against Salah on social media following his spat with the manager at West Ham but it’s clearly a case of Forgive and Forget from the match goers at Anfield.

Yes, I know the game hasn’t started yet, but there is already a substitution.

Noth from either of the teams, but from Mail Sport. Adrian Bishop has had to dash after doing a sterling job, and I, Harry Bamforth, will now take you through the rest of the afternoon.

I’m extremely excited about this one, kick-off is just moments away!

It’s all over at the Amex and Brighton have emerged victorious, potentially doing Spurs a favour in the process.

If today’s visitors can now go on and win both of their games in hand over Unai Emery’s side the gap will be just one point between the Champions League rivals.

Between today’s fixture and a visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium from Manchester City next week Spurs have it all to do.

They have the quality, but do they have what it takes to get the results?

For me he’s changed Liverpool since he’s come. He got them in the mix, back from a club that wasn’t talked about. He’s made people believe this club is a huge club again. He’s been phenomenal.

If you look at what he hasn’t done you’re missing the point. He hasn’t spent a huge amount of money. I just can’t fault him. He’s been incredible for the league. He’s box office.

Mo Salah is warming up on the Anfield pitch ahead of this afternoon’s clash.

The Liverpool talisman has returned to the starting XI despite his spat with Jurgen Klopp and rumours surrounding his imminent departure from the club.

The Anfield faithful will be hoping that he produces yet another moment of magic this afternoon with kick-off fast approaching…

Chelsea have ran rampant at Stamford Bridge and thrashed David Moyes’ side.

Goals from Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, Noni Madueke and a Nicolas Jackson brace cemented another impressive win for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

The Blues now move to within six points of Tottenham in seventh and Ange Postecoglou will now be looking over his shoulder in the race for European football.

It’s all smiles at Anfield but Ange Postecoglou will know just how crucial a result is today for his team.

Spurs currently sit eight points behind Aston Villa in the race for European football as we approach the end of the campaign.

Today’s clash marks one of the two games today’s visitors have in hand over their European football, and the opportunity to reduce the defecit two just two points with back-to-back wins will no doubt be on the Australian’s mind.

Kick-off is now just 45 minutes away…

Ange Postecoglou has made just one change from the team that were defeated by Chelsea in midweek, with Rodrigo Bentacur replacing Richarlison.

Meanwhile James Maddison has again been named on the bench as he looks for an opportunity to recapture the form that saw him so instrumental in Spurs’ early season success.

Mo Salah has returned to the starting XI after the being named on the bench for the club’s 2-2 draw with West Ham.

After being called on to replace Luis Diaz in the closing stages of that game, Salah engaged in a highly-publicised on-field spat with Jurgen Klopp.

However, despite the fall out, Salah returns to his more familiar place in the team, with Ryan Gravenberch dropping to the bench marking the only change from that game.

Conor Bradley is also back in the match day squad after recovering from injury.

Liverpool Virgil van Dijk urged his team to keep fighting until the end of the season in his programme notes published on the club’s website:

We’ve now reached the final three games of the season and the finishing line is coming into view, but this doesn’t mean there is any scope for easing up. The opposite is actually true – we have an obligation to ourselves and to our supporters to keep on pushing all the way to the end.

If we do this then we can see where we end up. No-one needs me to say what is and isn’t possible, everyone can see the league table and make their own minds up about where we are likely to finish, but whatever the likely outcome might be our aim has to be to finish the season as strongly as we possibly can.

After a blistering start to Ange Postecoglou’s maiden campaign at the helm saw the club unbeaten in the first ten Premier League games, Spurs have proven consistently inconsistent.

Like their opponents this afternoon, Spurs were forced to share points with West Ham last month before rebounding with a convincing 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

Their burgeoning momentum would be immediately halted as a 4-0 loss to Newcastle at St James’ Park marked their heaviest defeat of the campaign so far.

Spurs failed to put a dent in Arsenal’s title ambitions when they played host to Mikel Arteta’s side, while the club’s woes continued Chelsea ran out comfortable victors at Stamford Bridge in midweek.

Champions League football remains a possibility if they can turn their recent form around but they will be up against it at Anfield today.

Last five games in the Premier League: D W L L L

When Jurgen Klopp announced earlier this season he would bow out after nearly a decade on Merseyside, his side appeared on course to secure a fairytale ending to his time at the club.

However, a dip in form over the last few weeks has seen the club knocked out of both the FA Cup and Europa whilst losing significant ground in the title race.

A late Mo Salah penalty was enough to secure a point against Manchester United at Old Trafford last month but defeat to Crystal Palace the following week left their title ambitions in tatters.

The Reds appeared back to their best in a 3-1 win over Fulham but the jubilation proved short-lived as a bitter defeat against Everton followed by a frustrating 2-2 draw with West Ham has left the club needing a miracle to return to the top of the table.

Klopp’s men need both Arsenal and Man City to drop points to have any chance of returning to the title picture but first they must get past Tottenham.

Last five games in the Premier League: D L W L D

… and welcome to Mail Sport’s live blog for Liverpool’s clash with Tottenham.

Just a few short weeks ago, this game looked set to have significant implications for the title race and the battle for Champions League places.

However, both sides have slumped of late, with Liverpool’s title ambitions hanging on by a thread and Ange Postecoglou’s men facing an uphill battle if they are to usurp Aston Villa to finish fourth.

Nevertheless, both teams will be determined to get back on track at Anfield in what promises to be a fascinating clash.

Back in September Spurs handed Liverpool their first league defeat of the season courtesy of a goal from Son Heung-min and a Joel Matip OG, but can they do the double over the Reds?