Liverpool embarrassed Tottenham as they thrashed their Premier League rivals 6-3 in north London to move four points clear of Chelsea at the top of the table. Luis Diaz opened the scoring with a fine header midway through the first half before Alexis Mac Allister headed in a second for the visitors.
James Maddison pulled a goal back for Spurs as he curled the ball past Alisson from the edge of the area, before Dominik Szoboszlai restored the Reds’ two-goal advantage at the end of the first half.
The goals continued to flow after the interval as Mohamed Salah popped up with strikes either side of the hour mark to put Liverpool 5-1 ahead. Dejan Kulusevski got his name on the scoresheet for Spurs with 18 minutes remaining, with Dominic Solanke adding a third for his team. But Diaz wrapped up the win for the hosts with a sixth just before full-time.
And Express Sport provides the Tottenham and Liverpool player ratings after an enthralling Premier League encounter.
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Tottenham
Fraser Forster: 2
Almost gifted Liverpool an opening goal minutes into the match as he passed the ball straight to Salah. Was beaten to the ball in the air in his own six-yard box by 5ft 9in Mac Allister for the Reds’ second and was caught in no man’s land when rushing out to close down Diaz late on. Couldn't stop the goals going in and can’t be trusted by Postecoglou.
Pedro Porro: 2
Should have followed Diaz’s run for the opening goal as he allowed the Colombia international to steal in and head the ball into the back of the net. Diaz kept getting the better of him and he allowed too many crosses into the box. Looked to thread balls through the Liverpool backline when in possession but was dreadful in defence.
Radu Dragușin: 2
Was well off the pace as he was pulled from pillar to post by Liverpool’s attacking trio. Allowed the ball to float over his head for the opener as he was dragged too far over to the left. Poor defending for Szoboszlai’s goal and had another afternoon to forget.
Archie Gray: 4
Had the unenviable task of dealing with the Liverpool forwards at the tender age of 18. Started well but was no match for Salah and co as the visitors looked like scoring every time they went forward.
Djed Spence: 4
Started well and looked comfortable on the ball. Blocked a couple of efforts at goal midway through the first half but was beaten to a header by Szoboszlai in the lead up to Mac Allister’s goal and his afternoon soon headed south as Liverpool ran riot.
Pape Matar Sarr: 4
Struggled to protect the Spurs backline and lacked ambition on the ball. Wasn’t able to drive his team forward as Tottenham were overrun in midfield.
Yves Bissouma: 4
Attempted to stamp his authority in the early stages but was a passenger for most of the encounter as Liverpool cut through the heart of the Spurs team.
Dejan Kulusevski: 7
Barely got a sniff of the ball in the first half but was Spurs’ brightest player after the interval. Produced a subline finish for Tottenham’s second.
James Maddison: 6
Has been Tottenham’s most effective attacking player this season alongside Kulusevski and found the back of the net for the eighth time this season courtesy of a sumptuous curling effort.
Son Heung-min: 3
Was flat throughout the match and struggled to find an end product. Wasn’t anywhere near the standards he found last weekend against Southampton where he bagged a goal and two assists in 45 minutes.
Substitutes
Brennan Johnson: 5
Lucas Bergvall: 6
Timo Werner: 6
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Liverpool
Alisson: 6
Was rooted to his spot move for Maddison’s goal and will be disappointed to concede three goals.
Produced another tantalising cross into the box to tee up Diaz’s opener as he illustrated his prodigious ability on the ball. Has so much talent, Liverpool need to keep him.
Joe Gomez: 6
Had to be on his toes when Tottenham did get the ball. Stood up well to most things thrown at him but was still part of a leaky defence.
Virgil van Dijk: 6
Was never able to relax with Kulusevski, Maddison and Son to consider. Led from the back but the Reds were exposed at times.
Andy Robertson: 6
Whipped in a lovely cross to set up Liverpool’s second goal as he looked to push forward. Will be eyeing up a decent run of performances to show he is still an elite left-back.
Alexis Mac Allister: 7
Took his header well to double his side’s lead but lost possession ahead of Maddison’s goal to let the hosts back into the match.
Ryan Gravenberch: 7
Was calm and composed during the showdown. His attacking team-mates will take the plaudits but he made sure he could be counted on throughout.
Dominik Szoboszlai: 9
Dictated play and looked assured in possession as he moved his side up the pitch. Took his goal well and created Salah’s second. One of his finest performances in a Liverpool shirt but missed a few chances in the second period.
Mohamed Salah: 10
Danced his way through the Tottenham defence before crashing an effort against the crossbar in the first half. Showed good vision to tee up Szoboszlai and bagged another two goals to take his tally for the season to 18 in all competitions, also assisting Diaz's late goal. Unplayable at times.
Cody Gakpo: 7
Was full of running but wasn't ruthless enough in front of goal. Will be disappointed not to get his name on the scoresheet.
Luis Diaz: 9
Looked up for the match from the outset as he caused Pedro Porro all sorts of problems. Ran his socks off and took his goals well as he drifted into the perfect positions. Should have scored a another late on before eventually adding his second.
Substitutes
Curtis Jones: 7
Diogo Jota: 6
Darwin Nunez: 7
Harvey Elliott: 6
