Liverpool beat Tottenham to maintain their 100% start to the season and secure victory in each of their first five league fixtures for the first time in 28 years.
Georginio Wijnaldum's looping first-half header, awarded by goalline technology, set Jurgen Klopp's side on their way before Roberto Firmino hammered home from close range.
Erik Lamela scored late on to set up a tense finish, but they could not create another clear chance to equalise.
The result means Spurs have suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time since the final two fixtures of the 2015-16 season.
Liverpool's powerful statement
Liverpool's title ambitions have been clear since the arrival of expensive summer acquisitions such as £67m goalkeeper Alisson from Roma to top up other new signings Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri, as well as the £75m purchase of defender Virgil van Dijk in January.
The expectations have been heightened by those four straight wins but a trip to face Spurs at Wembley, where they were well beaten 4-1 last season, was regarded by many as the acid test of those aspirations.
They answered in the most positive manner possible and confirmed their growing status as the team most likely to topple reigning champions Manchester City. This game was never as close as the final scoreline suggests.
True, Spurs were astonishingly lethargic but it would be unfair to remove credit from Liverpool on the basis of the home side's performance.
The Reds were more vibrant, dangerous and energetic from the first whistle and moments of discomfort when they were not in control were few and far between.
The imperious Van Dijk ruled at the back, Liverpool were dominant in midfield and the pace of Sadio Mane and the guile of Firmino were simply too much for Spurs.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS