6 Liverpool, top at Christmas, Salah and more
On the game...
Until 60, 65 minutes, I really, really, really enjoyed what I saw. Of course, we were caught one time in bringing the ball out from the back and that immediately led to a goal for Tottenham. You think if we would have gone into the dressing room with a 2-1, that would not have done justice to all the chances we had – that's why I was quite happy with the fact that we scored the 3-1. Then 4-1, 5-1, incredible display. But then you also saw that no matter how much quality players have, if they think they don't have to run anymore then in this league, especially against Tottenham because they are so good with the ball as well, they immediately start to create, and that's what they did and they scored two goals. I was happy that the sixth one went in, to be fair.
On Liverpool's attacking performance...
It was very good – maybe it was our best performance away from home, although I really liked what I saw against Man United as well. It was total dominance and we outplayed them many, many times also, so that was a very good away game as well. Today, apart from scoring six goals, I think we could have even scored more. It's always like this, you don't score every chance, although Tottenham almost did because the first three chances were a goal, I think, and then the fourth one luckily enough didn't go in. Mo and Lucho, they were both with two goals, maybe the ones that stand out in terms of scoring two. But I think we would not do justice to Dom's performance if we don't name him as well because, apart from his attacking things he did today, he was without the ball also an important part of our game plan, and that's what he executed very well. Yes, these are the ones that score the goals, but if you watch the goals one more time back – and that's definitely what I am going to do – it mostly started off with centre-backs or full-backs. Every lead-up to a goal was, I think, multiple passes. So, it's not only the ones that score, it's also the ones that help to create.
Read our match report from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
On his comment about the players thinking they 'don't have to run anymore'...
I exaggerate a bit if I say they don't run anymore. Of course they still run, but they don't block crosses anymore, they don't defend in front of their goal. Until that moment, it was every time, wherever the ball was we were there with two, three, four players. Yes, maybe it is human that if you are 5-1 up you think, 'OK.' And I think in general it is also enough, because not many teams after being 5-1 down just keep on going. But we know Tottenham, they always keep on going and also have the quality to create because they are such an attacking threat. Every game they played, they create so, so, so many chances. So, you have to be on top of your game every second of the game. And if you are not 100 per cent then it immediately hurts you – not in every game but definitely against a well-managed side like Tottenham.
On whether it was Szoboszlai's best performance for Liverpool...
I haven't seen all of his performances because this is my first year and his second. I just referred to the Man United game and I think he was outstanding over there as well. If you score so many goals, that's always what stands out, but last week against Fulham, for example, if you look at the work-rate he did over there. It was a very good performance [from] him [today]. I think it wasn't his first great performance, but it was definitely one of his best, yes.
On whether being top of the table on Christmas Day means anything to him...
Of course, it means something because you always prefer to be where we are at the moment than to be in another position in the league table. You know, just as well as I know because I've won the league once, how hard it is to win it. You have to keep on going, keep on going. Every three days you have to be on top of your game, every minute of the game. That's why it is so hard to win it because it's not always easy to show up every three or four days. We saw last week, in a moment you can get a red card – which was quite a debate afterwards, not by me but by other people – and these things can happen in a season. At Newcastle, at 3-2 up you expect to win it and there was a situation and we drop two points. That's the Premier League. I didn't expect Chelsea to drop points today as well, so it can happen in every game and that's what makes this league so special. That's why so many people want to see it and that's why we play at Christmas time.
On how impressed he's been with Salah since starting to work with him...
You have an idea before you start working with players, but the best way to judge them – or to experience them – is when you start to work with them. I think Mo shows what he has shown for so many years at Liverpool, that he can score a goal and the team just has to provide him to come into these positions where he came today many times. Then he is able to score goals or provide assists. Apart from him being a very good football player, I think he is a very likeable person to work with as well. He is always there to help his teammates. He is always down to earth, so tomorrow – or even now, I think – he will work on his recovery. He understands what it takes to be at this level every three days and he is working really hard for that. So, that maybe impressed me most – that a top player like him understands how hard he has to work for the quality he shows.
