Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah proved decisive once again as he scored a brace of goals in the first half to help Liverpool claim a crucial 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur away from home in the Premier League on Sunday.

Both sides were entering the contest without key forwards with Liverpool missing Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz while Tottenham Hotspur was without Son Heung-Min and Richarlison. It put emphasis on the likes of Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Harry Kane.

Expectedly, Liverpool began proceedings on a stronger note with Nunez rifling a volley toward the top corner from 20 meters that Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had to dive full-length to tip away. He tested the goalkeeper’s far post with yet another attempt just four minutes later as Jurgen Klopp’s side announced their intention early on.

Mo Salah then broke the deadlock after 11 minutes as he controlled a pass from Nunez inside the area, turned, and deftly fired a low shot into the corner with his left foot.

Despite being under pressure after conceding so early, Spurs had a glorious chance to draw level when captain Kane broke down the right and crossed to the impressive Perisic whose header hit Alisson and then the post.

Liverpool’s second goal of the night was handed to them on a silver platter when Spurs’ Eric Dier misjudged his header. It bounced off his shoulder instead from a long kick by Alisson and Salah was on hand to capitalize on the mishap and dink it over the keeper to double the Reds’ lead.

Tottenham began proceedings in the second half on a much more exciting note and Perisic was desperately unlucky to hit the bar when he met a cross to the far post from Dier. Antonio Conte then threw in Swedish international Dejan Kulusevski to make his first appearance seven weeks after returning from an injury. 

He didn’t take long to get going and set up Kane with a beautiful assist and the Spurs captain fired home from close range to pull one back and have the home crowd rallying again. However, despite the late onslaught from Conte’s side which included a close-range header from Rodrigo Bentancur, the hosts failed to get the all-important equalizer.

Liverpool weathered the storm to secure the win and end a run of two Premier League defeats, leaving them eighth on 19 points after 13 games. Spurs slipped to fourth on 26 from 14 matches.

“I think we were lucky in the first half, we played quite well and managed to score two goals,” Salah said. “In the second half, we could’ve scored but were unlucky.

“We did well to get the three points. It is always a tough opponent. I’m focused on making a difference and managed to do so today.”