Mohamed Salah compared Liverpool’s win at Tottenham Hotspur to Manchester City’s defeat by Spurs after scoring twice to set a new Premier League record on Sunday.
The Reds moved four points clear at the top of the table, winning 6-3 with two goals and two assists from Salah, who is the first player in Premier League history to reach 10 goals and 10 assists by Christmas.
The result was the last sumptuously entertaining game involving 11th-placed Tottenham, with manager Ange Postecoglou’s risky brand of attacking football winning 4-0 at City on 23 November.
Just like Christmas 🎄🎅 pic.twitter.com/y6EGUgs8tv
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 22, 2024
Salah: Spurs have the way they play
“We expected the way they played: they open up the game and enjoy the football,” Salah told Sky Sports, speaking after his 26th straight goal of the season – nine ahead of nearest rival Cole Palmer of Chelsea.
“You always have to be in the game. it’s really hard, physically and mentally. They have the way they play and they don’t change it much.
“City (faced it) and struggled, as did some other teams. I’m very happy that we won because they play a very intense game.”
“If you’re Chelsea or Arsenal, watch this thought, these will stop” 👀
Jamie Carragher reacts to Liverpool’s big win over Tottenham 🔴 pic.twitter.com/OaRy7IrrtN
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 22, 2024
Liverpool ‘must improve defensively’
Salah was less impressed with Liverpool’s defense after conceding more than one goal for a third game in their last five.
He has now scored 16 goals in 16 league games and is level with Arsenal for third-fewest goals, although the Gunners have played a game more.
“Defensively, we have to improve as a team,” Salah warned. “To concede three goals is very difficult. (Defender) Virgil (van Dijk) will speak better than me about that. The result is very good and we hope to continue.”
What sets Liverpool apart from the other title contenders? 👀🏆 pic.twitter.com/gUGkfFZmyi
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 22, 2024
Mo Salah Stats: 229 Liverpool goals
The second of Salah’s goals, which came in the space of eight second-half minutes, moved the Egypt icon ahead of Billy Lindell as Liverpool’s fourth-highest scorer of all time.
He looks likely to hit the 13 goals needed to overtake third-placed Gordon Hodgson this season, but his prospects of plundering the 57 needed to overtake Roger Hunt’s total will depend on whether he extends his contract before it expires at the end of the season.
Ian Rush is 117 goals ahead of Salah, so the 32-year-old may need to stay at Anfield for another five years to take the Welsh legend’s record of 346 if he averaged 25 goals last season and stays fit and for the first time. – elite player.
