Liverpool thumps Leeds to cut City lead, Conte hints at Spurs exit
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah in action during a Premier League match against Leeds, Liverpool, England, Feb. 23, 2022. (EPA Photo)


Premier League title chaser Liverpool cut table topper Manchester City's lead to just three points after crushing Leeds 6-0 on Wednesday, while a disillusioned Tottenham manager Antonio Conte demanded talks over his future following a 1-0 defeat at Burnley.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp believes his side must win every game for the rest of the season to pip City to the title.

That ambitious goal can't be ruled out on Liverpool's current form and Leeds was no match for the title chasers at Anfield.

Mohamed Salah netted twice from the penalty spot either side of a Joel Matip goal.

Sadio Mane bagged a brace in the second half and Virgil Van Dijk completed the rout.

Liverpool has won its last nine games in all competitions, with none more important than this success in their game in hand on City.

City was 12 points ahead of Liverpool just a few weeks ago, but that lead has quickly been whittled away by a combination of the Reds' blistering streak and a couple of blips from the champions.

The stage is set for a titanic battle with 12 games left for both teams as City aims for its fourth English crown in five seasons and Liverpool looks to win its second in the last three.

"It is three points until the weekend and then City will probably win and then it will be six points. If we win all our games pretty much there will be a chance for us," Klopp said.

Despite the League Cup final against Chelsea looming Sunday, the title is Klopp's priority and he recalled Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson among five changes from the win against Norwich.

Robertson was involved when Liverpool took the lead in the 15th minute.

Leeds defender Stuart Dallas was adjudged to have blocked the Scot's cross with his arm, conceding a penalty that Salah calmly converted for his 26th club goal this season.

In the 30th minute, Cameroon defender Matip advanced from the back and exchanged passes with Salah before dinking an expert finish past Illan Meslier for his first goal since December 2020.

Five minutes later, Luke Ayling conceded a penalty with a foul on Mane and Salah drilled high into the net for his second of the night.

Mane made no mistake from Jordan Henderson's pass in the 80th minute and the Senegal star scored again from close-range in stoppage-time.

Van Dijk's header capped Liverpool's biggest win this season.

Leeds has lost seven of its last 10 league games and is only three points above the relegation zone.

Conte ponders Spurs future

On a wet and windy night at Turf Moor, Tottenham reverted to the kind of erratic display that has frustrated their fans so often in recent seasons.

Just days after its epic 3-2 win at Manchester City, Conte's side was shattered in the 71st minute when Ben Mee met Josh Brownhill's free kick with a far-post header past Hugo Lloris.

Tottenham remains stuck in eighth place, seven points adrift of the top four as its hopes of qualifying for the Champions League begin to fade.

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte reacts during a Premier League match, Burnley, England, Feb. 23, 2022. (Reuters Photo)

"I came here to try to improve the situation but maybe in this moment I'm not so good," Conte said.

"We will see how the situation is and make an assessment. I'm open to every decision because I want to help Tottenham.

"I'm too honest to close my eyes and continue in this way, and also take my salary, it's not right in this moment."

It was a second successive victory for third-bottom Burnley, which is now just two points from safety with a game in hand.

Crystal Palace enjoyed a 4-1 win over Watford at the expense of its former boss Roy Hodgson.

Hodgson recently returned to management after leaving Palace at the end of last season and is aiming to save Watford from relegation.

But Palace's first victory in seven league games kept Watford marooned in the bottom three.