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Liverpool picked up their first Premier League win of 2021 after an emphatic 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night. in the Premier League.
Roberto Firmino, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Sadio Mane were all on target for the champions as Pierre-Emile Hojberg's early second-half goal was rendered futile.
Both teams spurned good chances in the first 45 minutes, with Heung-min Son even watching his goal ruled out for offside. Harry Kane was taken off at the break due to an apparent injury.
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Kne's departure completely drained the home side's firepower as they struggled to create opportunities and spent most of the second-half on the back foot.
The Reds, who've been poor since Christmas, found their feet again, especially with the frontline being on song against Spurs, having struggled for goals in the last few weeks.
It was their first league win since the 7-0 humbling of Crystal Palace on matchday 14, six weeks ago, as the Premier League holders complete another 'domestic double' over Spurs.
Here are the hit and flop performers from the match:
Hit: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
After a very long time, Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a goal and provided an assist in the same game.
While it signifies a productive outing for Liverpool's marauding full-back, there was more to his game than just that.
The 22-year old was superb against Tottenham, especially in the attack, where he showed great commitment in work and poise in deliveries.
His forward runs looked promising like before, and for once, it felt like this was the Alexander-Arnold we've come to know over the last few years.
He thumped home an unstoppable low drive and then assisted Mane with a sublime cross.
In a season where he's been well below his best, could this performance spark the talismanic Alexander-Arnold of old?
Flop: Joe Rodon (Tottenham Hotspur)
The 23-year-old wasn't exactly disastrous, but his mistakes cost Tottenham dearly. Jose Mourinho might refrain from starting him again in such crunch clashes..
He was chosen ahead of Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld in the back-three, and completely blew the chance to impress.
Liverpool's front-three ran rings around him, especially Mane, who constantly targeted his side of the pitch, and Rodon could do nothing.
He was expertly drawn out of position by the Senegalese in the build-up to the first goal, and then misread Alexander-Arnold's pass which allowed Mane to bury Liverpool's third.
Still only three months into his Tottenham career, Rodon will improve going forward. But the game against Liverpool was a harsh lesson in the quality required to play in the Premier League.
Hit: Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
On a night where Liverpool's stellar attacking triumvirate clicked once again, Roberto Firmino was the vital cog that made everything work.
He ended his side's eight-hour-long goal-drought with a simple tap-in, whilst also harrying Tottenham defenders with his industry.
The Brazilian often dropped into pockets of space in the backline and made bunnies out of the hosts with quick passes, closing down anyone within sight.
He created three chances in the match and laid the most passes in the final third for the Reds, further accentuating his playmaking skills.
Also, Firmino's goal last night was his third consecutive against Tottenham, making him the first Liverpool player since Luis Suarez to accomplish the feat.
Flop: Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur)
A beast at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Matt Doherty is yet to shine in Tottenham colours, but Thursday night was really poor from him.
Starting in an unfamiliar left wing-back role, the Irishman offered little thrust down his flank and often left gaps while trying to drift inside.
After the break, he was moved back into his natural position on the right, but Mane proved to be too hot to handle for him.
With offensive contributions almost non-existent, Doherty came a cropper defensively too. It seems like he's going to take some more time to fully settle in at Spurs.
Hit: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
It was turning out to be another frustrating night for the Senegalese ace, who first blazed a good chance wide before missing an one-on-one on the stretch, and was then denied twice by Hugo Lloris.
While it showed a compelling lack of confidence on his part of bury his chances, Sadio Mane didn't give up. The Liverpool forward continued to press and his determination soon paid off.
The assist for Firmino's goal was the turning point for him as the winger went on to create more openings.
His assist for Salah's goal was unfortunately ruled out for a handball in the build-up, but Mane responded by finding the back of the net himself.
The power and precision of the strike totally encapsulated the Liverpool ace's renewed belief and helped put the contest to bed too.
