Kop boss Brendan Rodgers has praised the dominant display which produced a 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday…
The destination of the Premier League trophy is now in Liverpool’s hands after a second big win of the season over Tottenham Hotspur.
After dismantling the Londoners 5-0 at White Hart Lane in November, the Reds enjoyed a similarly one-sided encounter on home turf.
An own goal from Spurs captain Younes Kaboul set Brendan Rodgers‘ men on their way to a 4-0 victory inside two minutes.
Further goals followed from Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson as Liverpool improved their impressive Anfield record this term to 43 points from a possible 48 (W14 D1 L1).
Speaking about the game at his post-match press conference, Rodgers commented: “We had real dominance in the game right from the first whistle.
“I thought it was an exceptional performance. It was an outstanding team performance and I thought the supporters were brilliant today.
“Everything we’ve been working towards over this last year-and-a-half, in terms of without the ball; that hunger and intensity to get the ball back, from the first whistle to the end [was there].
“Then our dominance in possession was very impressive. We had long spells with the ball trying to tire Tottenham out, open up the space and then we’ve got the penetration at the top of the field.”
The three points, combined with those dropped by both Chelsea and Manchester City on Saturday, puts the Merseysiders two clear of Jose Mourinho’s men.
City still have two games in hand and can leapfrog both but with their two fellow title protagonists still to visit Anfield it is definitely advantage Liverpool; if they win their final six games they will be crowned champions for a first time since 1990.
Obviously that will be easier said than done and Rodgers understandably retained his usual stance of looking at the bigger picture and not getting carried away.
“We’re trying to make something that’s sustainable here – not just for this season, we’re trying to grow and develop this club,” reflected the 41-year-old.
“It’s fantastic the supporters now have hope because there are only six games to go. I enjoy it, it’s why I’ve worked hard all of my life since I was a young boy, travelling throughout Europe to find out about some of the top leagues and teams.
“I don’t think anybody expected us to be where we are. The last few seasons we have been eighth and we finished seventh last year. We go into every game to win and I expect it. What’s been great to see is that idea and methodology of our work bearing fruit in the game.
“There are still some great teams up there and some world-class managers. We understand it’s going to be very difficult, but we just control what we can do – and if we can do that, we’ll just see where it takes us.”
Liverpool have now scored 48 league goals at Anfield this season; a figure which represents their highest ever single season tally in the Premier League era.
Given the entertainment they have witnessed, it is of little surprise to hear the fans in such good voice but even Rodgers was impressed by the support received on Sunday.
“We love playing at Anfield,” elaborated the Northern Irishman. “The support today was incredible and that’s only going to intensify as the season goes on. You can see it works for us, rather than against us.
“That’s as good as I’ve heard Anfield since I’ve been a manager here. The two forces [fans and players] together made us a real tough opponent today.”
Liverpool are next in action on Sunday when they visit a West Ham United team containing a number of familiar faces in the shape of Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing and Joe Cole.
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