Liverpool ruined Tottenham’s chances of getting into the top four of the Premier League with a 4-2 victory, which put Aston Villa close to qualifying for the Champions League despite their 1-0 loss at Brighton on Sunday.
Tottenham needed to win at Anfield to reduce the gap with fourth-placed Villa, but they instead suffered a fourth consecutive defeat, damaging their hopes of reaching the Champions League.
Villa are seven points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham, who have a game in hand but will miss out on the top four if Unai Emery’s team wins one of their remaining two matches.
Mohamed Salah returned to the Liverpool team after being benched for the draw at West Ham last weekend.
The forward from Egypt had a disagreement with Klopp before coming on as a substitute at the London Stadium, and added fuel to the fire afterward by suggesting there would be consequences if he talked about the clash.
In the 16th minute, Klopp, in the final weeks of his nine-year tenure, was celebrating as Salah scored his 25th goal in all competitions this season with a precise header from Cody Gakpo’s pass.
Andrew Robertson scored Liverpool’s second goal just before half-time as the Scottish left-back tapped in from close range after Vicario saved Salah’s shot.
Tottenham’s misery continued as Gakpo headed in a cross from Harvey Elliott in the 50th minute, and Elliott then scored the fourth in the 59th minute with a fantastic curler from 20 yards.
Tottenham found little comfort as Richarlison reduced the deficit in the 72nd minute before setting up Son Heung-min’s goal five minutes later.
Liverpool's first win in three league games kept them in mathematical contention for the title, but realistically, they have little chance, with leaders Arsenal five points ahead and only two games left.
AFP
