LIVERPOOL, England – Mohamed Salah quickly moved on from last week’s sideline tussle with Jurgen Klopp by scoring first in Liverpool’s 4-2 Premier League victory over Tottenham on Sunday.
The sight of Salah arguing with his departing manager at the end of Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with West Ham last week dominated the debate in the days that followed.
But the Egyptian was back in the starting lineup and on the scoresheet to put his team on the road to victory against Spurs at Anfield.
Salah was already close to scoring when he rose to the far post in the 16th minute to head in Cody Gakpo’s cross from the left.
Tottenham were given hope in their quest for Champions League qualification after fourth-placed Aston Villa suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Brighton. But Ange Postecoglou’s side never looked capable of taking advantage of that result after being beaten by Liverpool.
The home side were 2-0 up after 45 minutes after Salah’s shot was saved by Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and Andy Robertson converted from the rebound.
It was the least Liverpool deserved after dominating their chances in the first half and forcing Vicario into a series of desperate saves.
The title may be almost beyond Klopp’s side, but Liverpool still look set on finishing the season on a high for the German, who is stepping down as manager.
Gakpo scored Liverpool’s third goal five minutes after the break when he headed low at the far post from Harvey Elliott’s left-footed cross.
Nine minutes later it was Elliott’s turn to score with a moment of individual brilliance that brought the home fans to their feet and a beaming smile on Klopp’s face.
Recovering on the right, Elliott needed a touch to escape Rodrigo Bentancur. Then, from around 20 yards (meters), he sent an unstoppable left-footed shot into the top corner and beyond the diving Vicario.
Postecoglou sent on Richarlison in the hope of salvaging something and the Brazil international quickly made an impact when he turned in Brennan Johnson’s cross in the 72nd minute.
He then turned to the provider to help Son Heung-min shoot from close range five minutes later.
Richarlison forced Alisson into a low save late on, which led to Joe Gomez producing a clearance to deny Johnson converting the rebound.
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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
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AP Football:
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