‘Incredible’ Liverpool must stay focused, says Arne Slot after 6-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur

LONDON – Arne Slot urged “incredible” Liverpool not to take their foot off the gas, after the English Premier League leaders thrashed Tottenham Hotspur 6-3 to move four points clear at the top of the table.

Slot claimed Liverpool’s goal spree in north London on Dec 22 ranked as their best away performance since he arrived from Feyenoord to replace Jurgen Klopp in the close-season.

Mohamed Salah was the catalyst with two goals and two assists, while Luis Diaz also bagged a brace, alongside strikes from Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Slot’s side have won 21 of their 25 games in all competitions this term, a remarkable run that leaves them in pole position to win the title for the first time since 2020, while also competing for the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.

But, despite their blistering form, Liverpool’s concession of two late goals to Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke was frustrating for Slot, who called on his team to stay focused until the end of every game. James Maddison also found the net for Tottenham late in the first half.

“It was very good. Maybe it was our best performance away from home, although I really like what I saw from Man United as well,” Slot said, in reference to the 3-0 win at Old Trafford in September.

“Until the 60th to 65th minute, I really enjoyed what I saw. Of course, we were caught one time in bringing the ball out from the back and it immediately led to a goal for Tottenham.

“I think if we would have gone into the dressing room with a 2-1 (half-time) lead, that would not have done justice to all the chances we had. That is why I was quite happy with the fact we scored for 3-1.

“Then 4-1, 5-1, incredible display. But then you also saw, no matter how many quality players you have, if they think they don’t have to run any more in this league and especially against Tottenham, because they are so good with the ball as well, they immediately start to create.”

Liverpool were assured of top spot at Christmas before kick-off when second-placed Chelsea were held to a 0-0 draw by Everton.

But despite their lofty position, Slot, who won the Dutch league with Feyenoord, refused to contemplate a Liverpool march to the trophy.

“Of course, it means something because you always prefer to be where we are at the moment than to be in another position... but you know just as well as I know – because I have won the league once – how hard it is to win it,” he said.

“You have to keep going, keep on going. Every three days you have to be on the top of your game. Every minute and that’s why it is so hard to win it.”

Amid the giddy excitement for Reds fans, Salah dropped another hint that his future could lie away from Liverpool as the Egypt star said he would be happy “wherever I am going to end my career” after his two-goal, two-assist showing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The 32-year-old is the first Premier League player to bag at least 10 goals and 10 assists before Christmas. His brace also took him to fourth place on Liverpool’s all-time list of scorers with 229 in all competitions.

Salah’s immense value to Slot’s team is clear, but Liverpool have been unable to persuade the forward to sign a new contract as speculation mounts about his future.

With Salah’s deal expiring at the end of this season, he will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club from January.

Having already made several comments earlier this season about this potentially being his last campaign with Liverpool, he once again made a cryptic reference to his future.

“It’s great to achieve that at such a big club, but the most important thing is that we won the game. Wherever I am going to end my career, I am happy about it,” Salah told Sky Sports.

He added that there was “no update” on his contract situation. AFP