Join Jim Boardman and Jay Reid for a festive edition of Scouser Tommies as they look back at Liverpool's dominant 6-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, look ahead to the holiday fixtures and discuss the generous favours from the neighbours, what's in every Red's letter to Santa, and this year's Christmas No.1. (No, not the best-selling single of the week, the side that's still top of the table.)
The win over Spurs was far more one-sided than the score line suggests, with a brace of braces - one each for Mo and Luis - and Mo also getting a brace of assists to compliment yet more broken records. With performances from front to back that really underlined LFC's title credentials, it was a momentous victory, but, in true Ronnie Moran style, Arne Slot has clearly made it a priority that all his players keep their feet firmly on the ground. As Jay points out, post-match interviews point to players having already been told in no uncertain terms that letting in three just will not do.
Fans are able to lift their feet off the ground now and again though, and Jay and Jim are happy to do that after the manner of that win, certainly when focussing on LFC's dominance throughout the largest part of that game. Whilst the focus of the joy of the win is on the three Liverpool goal scorers, there was very little to fault with any of the players in Red, and Jay and Jim are quick to recognise the improvement from some who might not have had too much praise in recent weeks.
Boxing Day wouldn't feel right without football and this time it's a home fixture for Liverpool, who play host to Leicester. Then it's a trip to the capital again to meet West Ham. Both games are ones that Slot's side will be expected to win, but nothing is ever a foregone conclusion in the Premier League. These are, as Jay and Jim discuss, the last two fixtures before Mo, Virgil and Trent are able to talk to other clubs about where they might be playing next season.
Time really is running out to try and tie at least two of them to Liverpool, but given it takes less time to sign your name than it does to score a goal, all three could sign new deals on the pitch in front of a packed Anfield on the 26th. What a present that would be for Reds fans. Over to you LFC.
Doing that would, of course, leave January free for sorting out new signings, because as Jim and Jay point out, this squad has been stretched to its limits already.
It being the season of goodwill, it's been nice, if a little surprising, to see Everton happily doing Liverpool favours by taking points off both the club's most realistic title rivals, Arsenal and Chelsea. Jay and Jim aren't sure if the neighbours are too happy about it though: the conflict of knowing they've helped their most despised rivals at the same time as dragging themselves a little bit further away from the drop zone is more like torture.
That said, the neighbours are on too much of a high to be worrying about the current state of the league table. No, they've got new owners, and all is rosy in the new Everton. The Grinch, in the form of Moshiri, didn't get to steal Christmas, instead they've got their saviours, the very people who will put them back where they believe they belong, which as far as they are concerned is anywhere as long as it's above Liverpool. Whatever you do, don't mention protests in Rome or even joke about feeder clubs.
As for laughs, well that lot from across the park have competition. Two lots of it. From down the East Lancs.
Plenty to discuss as always on Scouser Tommies. All the best.
