Liverpool kept their title ambitions hanging by a thread with victory over Tottenham. 

Just one week after his highly-publicised spat with Jurgen Klopp Mo Salah returned to the starting XI and wasted little time in making an impact as he opened the scoring after just 16 minutes before assisting Andy Robertson who doubled their lead.

Cody Gakpo headed home a third after the restart and Harvey Elliot made it four with a thunderbolt on the hour mark.

Mail Sport’s Aadam Patel was at Anfield to offer his ratings and analysis on both team’s in Sunday’s clash.

LIVERPOOL

Alisson (7)

Didn’t need to make any saves in the first-half but was kept busy in the second half and made some crucial saves as Spurs threw everything at the Liverpool goal.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (7)

Was in full flow, constantly involved around the pitch and offering a regular threat. His current contract expires next summer and surely getting him to sign a new long-term deal will be among the priorities for Liverpool this summer.

Jarrell Quansah (7)

Seriously good on the ball and finishing his first season in fine form.

Virgil van Dijk (7)

Spoke in the programme about how his side had an ‘obligation’ to themselves and their supporters to keep on pushing all the way to the end and the skipper led from the front as Liverpool got their mojo back but will be disappointed that his side failed to keep a clean sheet.

Andy Robertson (7)

Two goals in two games for the left-back. I can’t believe I’m writing that. Did what any good full-back should do and followed up Mohamed Salah’s header for his goal. And he had a brilliant game, pushing up constantly and regularly getting touches in the opposition box before he was taken off for Joe Gomez in the 65th minute.

Harvey Elliott (8)

Played with such confidence and was rewarded with the assist for Cody Gakpo’s goal, with a delightful cross that was headed in before scoring an absolute belter in front of The Kop that had Jurgen Klopp beaming with a huge smile. Only Kevin De Bruyne (14) and Rodri (9) have more assists than Elliott (8) in all competitions from all Premier League players in 2024. He will have a big part to play under the new manager, without doubt.

Wataru Endo (7)

Mr Reliable, as ever. Funny moment when he was mistakenly announced by the stadium PA as the goalscorer for the first goal when it was Mohamed Salah. Taken off in the 65th minute for the returning Stefan Bajcetic.

Alexis Mac Allister (7)

Part of a midfield trio that were simply too strong for Spurs. Didn’t get an assist or on the scoresheet but nonetheless, an assured display. Replaced in the 74th minute for Ryan Gravenberch.

Mohamed Salah (9)

Returned to the starting eleven eight days after his public spat with Jurgen Klopp and was a man on a mission from the minute the whistle was blown. Hit the bar with an outrageous effort early on before opening the scoring with a header. That goal took him up to 25 in all competitions for Liverpool this season and he teed up Elliott for his stunning strike in the second half but missed an absolute sitter from three yards out. Salah is the first player in Premier League history to score 10+ goals and provide 10+ assists in three consecutive seasons

Cody Gakpo (8)

A seriously impressive display, with a lovely assist for the opening goal before getting on the scoresheet himself in the second half. Celebrated with the classic Bebeto celebration after his wife gave birth last month. Substituted for Darwin Nunez in the 75th minute.

Luis Diaz (7)

The Colombian was relentless from the outset and it was almost as if he was desperate to score after getting his goal infamously chalked off in the reverse fixture. Didn’t quite pull off the revenge mission but too hot to handle for Spurs.

SUBS:

Joe Gomez (5)

Guilty of switching off for Spurs’s first goal but did well to deny Brennan Johnson from making it 4-3.

Stefan Bajcetic (6)

Made his first Premier League appearance since March 2023.

Ryan Gravenberch (5)

Lazy for Son’s goal despite only just coming on.

Darwin Nunez (6)

A fun cameo, where he could have scored and got an assist but got neither.

Dominik Szoboszlai (5)

Came on in the 83rd minute for Harvey Elliott.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Guglielmo Vicario (6)

Did what he could on the afternoon with numerous brilliant saves but was certainly not helped by his defence. That’s now 13 goals conceded in four games but it’s hard to put him at fault for any of the Liverpool goals. Perhaps his most impressive moment came at half-time when he broke up a fight between two of his own players in Cristian Romero and Emerson Royal.

Pedro Porro (5)

Part of a Spurs back four that simply cannot defend. Was too busy ball-watching at times.

Cristian Romero (5)

Guilty of trying to play out the back even when the options weren’t there. Did well to deny Harvey Elliott with a block on the line early on and made some important challenges at crucial times but was part of the scuffle with Emerson Royal at half-time.

Micky van de Ven (5)

Another poor performance and one of four Spurs players booked, alongside Emerson Royal, Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma.

Emerson Royal (4)

A forgettable afternoon for the Brazilian. Fighting with his own players before losing the ball for Liverpool’s third goal. Hooked off on the hour mark for Oliver Skipp.

Yves Bissouma (6)

Was the one Spurs midfielder who constantly provided an option and did well pushing out with the ball for Spurs’s first goal.

Pape Matar Sarr (5)

Failed to ever get in the game in a Spurs midfield that struggled all game. Taken off in the 75th minute for Giovani Lo Celso.

Rodrigo Bentancur (5)

Another one who struggled to keep up with Liverpool’s tempo and was replaced on the hour mark for Richarlison, who made an instant impact.

Dejan Kulusevski (4)

Endured a horror afternoon losing possession more times than any other Spurs player. Was put out of his misery on the hour mark by Ange Postecoglou when he was replaced by James Maddison.

Heung-Min Son (6)

Took his goal well and offered his usual threat in the latter stages but was missing throughout the first half. The South-Korean has now scored in five consecutive games against Liverpool.

Brennan Johnson (6)

Provided a good assist for Richarlison’s goal but like Son, took way too long to get going.

SUBS:

Richarlison (8)

Changed the game when he came on at the hour mark as Spurs scored twice in four minutes and he was too hot to handle for the Liverpool defence, operating as a number nine. Got a goal and an assist and the Brazilian forced his compatriot Alisson into a fine save late on, which could have set up a crazy finish. Really should have started the game.

Oliver Skipp (6)

Another one who made a difference. Spurs looked much more stable down the left flank after he came on for Emerson Royal.

James Maddison (6)

Good energy when he came on but surely has to do more in the last couple of weeks to guarantee his place on the plane for Euro 2024.

Giovani Lo Celso (6)

An impactful cameo and Spurs looked much more of a threat with the Argentine on the pitch. All four Spurs substitutions changed the game.