Liverpool's 6-3 victory against Tottenham Hotspur proves that the club are the most complete side in the Premier League, and their title rivals should fear them, according to Reds expert David Lynch.
Arne Slot's side got back to winning ways in the top flight when they triumphed away from home against Spurs, extending their lead over second-placed Chelsea at the top of the table to four points before Christmas despite having played a game less.
While the Merseysiders conceded three times, Tottenham could have easily lost by a much bigger margin such was the dominance of the Reds on Sunday, with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai having produced numerous shots on goal.
Lynch told Sports Mole that he believes Liverpool's performance was their best of the season, saying: [Liverpool's showing was] arguably the best and most dominant performance they've put in so far this season - they just completely stood on Tottenham's neck, really controlled them, didn't look threatened at all.
"If you're any of the title rivals and you tuned in for that one, I don't even think you can take the three goals conceded as encouragement because it was just pure complacency [from Liverpool]. It wasn't structural issues, they just knew that they had the game won at that point.
"If you've watched that performance, if you're a title rival, you're worried because that looks like the most complete side in the Premier League at the moment."
Everton managed to hold Chelsea to a 0-0 draw on Sunday, and while Arsenal eventually brushed Crystal Palace aside on Saturday, the Gunners looked vulnerable in the first half and could have conceded more than once.
Analysed: Liverpool's dominance against Spurs
Ange Postecoglou's Spurs had struggled defensively in recent weeks, with goalkeeper Fraser Forster looking particularly out of place while the team's first-choice centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven were both unavailable on Sunday due to injury.
Luis Diaz and Dominik Szoboszlai took full advantage of Tottenham's weaknesses in the backline, relentlessly pressing Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray, forcing the makeshift central defenders to make a number of mistakes.
When asked about Liverpool's best performers against Spurs, Lynch was particularly glowing in his review of Szoboszlai, telling Sports Mole: "It was hard to pick out your Man of the Match [but] I thought it was Szoboszlai, I thought he was fantastic. Covered so much ground - as he always does - but the way he was knitting the play, he was turning dirty possession into something [more promising] all the time.
"His goal typifies that - it's a bit of a hopeful flick forward and he gets on the end of it, and then he's the man who bursts into the box and finishes it really coolly. Gets an assist as well, and he just dominated Tottenham, ran all over them.
"These big games away from home are just tailor-made for him, with his ability to get all over the pitch. It's almost like having an extra man in attack and defence at times, because his energy is so great. We're starting to see that end product from him as well, which is really welcome because we've known for a while he's got that in him."
Szoboszlai's intensity without the ball has never been in question during his time at Anfield, and though he came under scrutiny for his performances earlier this campaign, he proved on Sunday exactly why Slot rates him so highly.
© Imago
Can Liverpool be caught?
When Slot took charge of the club, many observers suggested that the Dutchman might have understandably struggled given the success previous manager Jurgen Klopp had with the Reds, winning the Champions League and Premier League during his tenure.
However, Liverpool are first in both the Champions League and Premier League tables and have lost just once in their 25 matches under the new boss, winning 21 times.
The Reds have also scored the joint most goals and conceded the joint fewest in the top flight, and Lynch expressed his belief to Sports Mole that Liverpool will be confident of winning the title, saying: "If you are watching that and you're a Chelsea fan or an Arsenal fan, it's just a concern because you've got an entire team there playing really well.
"We're getting towards Christmas now, and this is where really you try and kick on and get the title won, and Liverpool have got a decent-looking fixture list coming up, so it's looking ominous for their rivals.
"City have fallen off completely, but Liverpool have stepped into that void that's been left [and are] the only team who are performing at a 90-plus points level, which says a lot about how good they are."
Perhaps Liverpool could experience disruption later in the season should someone like Trent Alexander-Arnold have his head swayed towards Real Madrid, but based on his performance on Sunday, the vice-captain appears to be fully committed to his boyhood club.
Lewis Nolan
