Liverpool&nbsp;stretched their lead at the top of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/premier-league-tottenhams-kane-ruled-out-for-three-months-with-hamstring-injury-273331">Premier League</a> to 16 points and set a record in the process as Roberto Firmino's first-half goal secured a battling 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

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BIG WIN! ✊<a href="https://t.co/JbUsCmD0Ar">https://t.co/JbUsCmD0Ar</a>
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1216077981980024839?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Juergen Klopp's unbeaten side were not at their best and had to withstand a Spurs fightback after the break but hung on for a 20th win out of 21 league games this season to move further ahead of second-placed Leicester City with a game in hand.

Liverpool's total of 61 points is the most after 21 games of a Premier League season, beating <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/striker-less-aston-villa-hold-on-for-draw-at-leicester-273173">Manchester City's</a> 59 from two seasons ago, and has never been surpassed in the Spanish, Italian, German or French leagues at the same stage.

<img alt="Tottenham's Giovani Lo Celso misses a chance to score " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e9bbcf61-1304-4c8d-9e31-4ad7b618ce73" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2832%29_1.jpg" /> 
[ Tottenham's Giovani Lo Celso misses a chance to score&nbsp;(Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Firmino's 37th-minute effort proved enough for&nbsp;Liverpool&nbsp;to march on towards a first English title since 1989-90, but Tottenham substitute <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-spurs-close-in-on-last-16-berth-with-4-0-rout-of-red-star-260412">Giovani Lo Celso</a> wasted a glorious chance to earn the hosts a draw with a glaring late miss.

Liverpool's fans stood to acclaim their side at the end and Spurs manager Jose Mourinho, who has now won only two of 11 games against&nbsp;Liverpool&nbsp;boss <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/klopps-kids-knock-everton-out-of-fa-cup-272440">Juergen Klopp</a>, shook hands with every opposition player at the final whistle.

"I'm over the moon about the result, but we have to talk about the performance," a rather subdued Klopp said later.

"One team deserved to win and that was us. To win at Tottenham is pretty special. That the game wasn't decided after 50-60 minutes was our fault. We should have scored more goals.

"We were on the ground towards the end. A couple of our players were slightly exhausted, but we fought through that," he added after his side stretched their lead over Leicester, who had earlier lost 2-1 at home to Southampton.

While Klopp's unstoppable side are now unbeaten in a club record 38 league games, Tottenham, who in June faced&nbsp;Liverpool&nbsp;in the Champions League final in Madrid, are drifting in eighth place, nine points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

Liverpool&nbsp;dominated the first half and it needed a superb block by Tottenham's 20-year-old defender <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/jose-mourinho-no-quick-fixes-for-spurs-in-transfer-window-272204">Japhet Tanganga</a>, handed his first league start, to deny Firmino with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hitting the rebound against the post.

<img alt="Liverpool's Jordan Henderson in action with Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c93c50c7-efce-46fe-ac8f-9eb8e008d32a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2833%29.jpg" /> 
[ Liverpool's Jordan Henderson in action with Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min (Courtesy: Reuters)&nbsp;]

Liverpool&nbsp;defender Virgil van Dijk then looked certain to head in Jordan Henderson's dinked cross but keeper Paulo Gazzaniga made a superb reflex save.

With Tottenham sitting deeper and deeper the pressure finally told as they failed to clear the ball and Mohamed Salah's pass evaded Tanganga for Brazilian Firmino to fire past the stranded Gazzaniga.

Spurs, without their injured talisman <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/klopps-kids-knock-everton-out-of-fa-cup-272440">Harry Kane</a>, were far more lively after the break as&nbsp;Liverpool's pace slowed.

Son Heung-min wasted a great chance to equalise, curling the ball over the bar after&nbsp;Liverpool&nbsp;were caught in possession, and then substitute Giovani Lo Celso somehow missed the target with the goal gaping after being picked out by Serge Aurier.

Erik Lamela also came off the bench and tested&nbsp;Liverpool&nbsp;keeper Alisson but the Reds showed incredible defensive discipline to record a sixth successive clean sheet.

Liverpool stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League to 16 points and set a record in the process as Roberto Firmino's first-half goal secured a battling 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Liverpool stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League to 16 points and set a record in the process as Roberto Firmino's first-half goal secured a battling 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. BIG WIN! ✊https://t.co/JbUsCmD0Ar — Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 11, 2020 × Juergen Klopp's unbeaten side were not at their best and had to withstand a Spurs fightback after the break but hung on for a 20th win out of 21 league games this season to move further ahead of second-placed Leicester City with a game in hand. Liverpool's total of 61 points is the most after 21 games of a Premier League season, beating Manchester City's 59 from two seasons ago, and has never been surpassed in the Spanish, Italian, German or French leagues at the same stage. [ Tottenham's Giovani Lo Celso misses a chance to score (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Firmino's 37th-minute effort proved enough for Liverpool to march on towards a first English title since 1989-90, but Tottenham substitute Giovani Lo Celso wasted a glorious chance to earn the hosts a draw with a glaring late miss. Liverpool's fans stood to acclaim their side at the end and Spurs manager Jose Mourinho, who has now won only two of 11 games against Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp, shook hands with every opposition player at the final whistle. "I'm over the moon about the result, but we have to talk about the performance," a rather subdued Klopp said later. "One team deserved to win and that was us. To win at Tottenham is pretty special. That the game wasn't decided after 50-60 minutes was our fault. We should have scored more goals. "We were on the ground towards the end. A couple of our players were slightly exhausted, but we fought through that," he added after his side stretched their lead over Leicester, who had earlier lost 2-1 at home to Southampton. While Klopp's unstoppable side are now unbeaten in a club record 38 league games, Tottenham, who in June faced Liverpool in the Champions League final in Madrid, are drifting in eighth place, nine points behind fourth-placed Chelsea. Liverpool dominated the first half and it needed a superb block by Tottenham's 20-year-old defender Japhet Tanganga, handed his first league start, to deny Firmino with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hitting the rebound against the post. [ Liverpool's Jordan Henderson in action with Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk then looked certain to head in Jordan Henderson's dinked cross but keeper Paulo Gazzaniga made a superb reflex save. With Tottenham sitting deeper and deeper the pressure finally told as they failed to clear the ball and Mohamed Salah's pass evaded Tanganga for Brazilian Firmino to fire past the stranded Gazzaniga. Spurs, without their injured talisman Harry Kane, were far more lively after the break as Liverpool's pace slowed. Son Heung-min wasted a great chance to equalise, curling the ball over the bar after Liverpool were caught in possession, and then substitute Giovani Lo Celso somehow missed the target with the goal gaping after being picked out by Serge Aurier. Erik Lamela also came off the bench and tested Liverpool keeper Alisson but the Reds showed incredible defensive discipline to record a sixth successive clean sheet.

English Premier League: Liverpool continue dominance as Firmino nets winner at Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur closed in on a berth in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-oxlade-chamberlain-strike-gives-liverpool-win-over-genk-260251">Champions League</a> knockout stages after two goals from Son Heung-min and one each by Giovani Lo Celso and Christian Eriksen gave them a resounding 4-0 Group B win at Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday.

The result left Spurs second in the group on seven points from four games, five behind leaders <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bayern-munich-part-company-with-kovac-259760">Bayern Munich</a> who sealed a last-16 berth with two games to spare after a 2-0 home win over Olympiakos Piraeus.

Third-placed Red Star have three points and Olympiakos one.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was delighted with his team's performance in a raucous atmosphere and praised the home fans, whose die-hard end applauded Red Star players off the pitch despite a crushing defeat.

"It’s a difficult place to come to but we executed the game plan to dominate from the start superbly and I am so happy," the Argentine told a news conference.

"The approach was very good and our positional play in the opposition half was fantastic. We were a bit lucky in the first half because we scored and they didn’t take their chances.

"The atmosphere was great and the home fans were fantastic. Hopefully we will play here in the Champions League again."

Tottenham, who thrashed Red Star 5-0 in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago, almost fell behind in the 23rd minute after Red Star striker Milan Pavkov powered his into the penalty area before keeper Paulo Gazzaniga denied him with a reflex save.

Lo Celso, who is on loan from Spanish side Real Betis, fired the visitors ahead in the 34th with his first goal for Spurs after a pinball-styled scramble in Red Star's six-yard box which left both sets of fans momentarily baffled.

Harry Kane hit the post while Son had one shot cleared off the line and saw another crash against the underside of the bar before Lo Celso turned the ball in from close range.

Red Star came closing to equalising on the stroke of halftime in almost identical fashion as Dutch forward Rajiv Van la Parra hit the post and the rebound cannoned off Spurs defender Davinson Sanchez on to the crossbar.

Son made it 2-0 in the 57th minute when he buried a left-footed shot from eight metres into the roof of the net from a flowing move as Spurs broke out of their own half, with Dele Alli feeding the Korean forward.

With Red Star reeling, Son added the third four minutes later after another lightning Spurs break, blasting in a first-time shot at the far post following an inch-perfect low cross by left back Danny Rose.

Late substitute Eriksen added the gloss when he tucked the ball past goalkeeper Milan Borjan after another fine assist by the lively Rose.

Many Red Star fans left the acoustic Rajko Mitic stadium in a hurry before the final whistle, with several hundred visiting Spurs supporters in full swing.

Red Star coach Vladan Milojevic conceded there was a gulf in class between the two teams.

"I can only congratulate Tottenham, they punished us after we squandered some first-half opportunities," he said.

"We tried to close them down but we got beaten by an outstanding team and though the defeat leaves a bitter taste, it is part of a learning curve."

Tottenham Hotspur closed in on a berth in the Champions League knockout stages after two goals from Son Heung-min and one each by Giovani Lo Celso and Christian Eriksen gave them a resounding 4-0 Group B win at Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday.

Tottenham Hotspur closed in on a berth in the Champions League knockout stages after two goals from Son Heung-min and one each by Giovani Lo Celso and Christian Eriksen gave them a resounding 4-0 Group B win at Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday. The result left Spurs second in the group on seven points from four games, five behind leaders Bayern Munich who sealed a last-16 berth with two games to spare after a 2-0 home win over Olympiakos Piraeus. Third-placed Red Star have three points and Olympiakos one. Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was delighted with his team's performance in a raucous atmosphere and praised the home fans, whose die-hard end applauded Red Star players off the pitch despite a crushing defeat. "It’s a difficult place to come to but we executed the game plan to dominate from the start superbly and I am so happy," the Argentine told a news conference. "The approach was very good and our positional play in the opposition half was fantastic. We were a bit lucky in the first half because we scored and they didn’t take their chances. "The atmosphere was great and the home fans were fantastic. Hopefully we will play here in the Champions League again." Tottenham, who thrashed Red Star 5-0 in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago, almost fell behind in the 23rd minute after Red Star striker Milan Pavkov powered his into the penalty area before keeper Paulo Gazzaniga denied him with a reflex save. Lo Celso, who is on loan from Spanish side Real Betis, fired the visitors ahead in the 34th with his first goal for Spurs after a pinball-styled scramble in Red Star's six-yard box which left both sets of fans momentarily baffled. Harry Kane hit the post while Son had one shot cleared off the line and saw another crash against the underside of the bar before Lo Celso turned the ball in from close range. Red Star came closing to equalising on the stroke of halftime in almost identical fashion as Dutch forward Rajiv Van la Parra hit the post and the rebound cannoned off Spurs defender Davinson Sanchez on to the crossbar. Son made it 2-0 in the 57th minute when he buried a left-footed shot from eight metres into the roof of the net from a flowing move as Spurs broke out of their own half, with Dele Alli feeding the Korean forward. With Red Star reeling, Son added the third four minutes later after another lightning Spurs break, blasting in a first-time shot at the far post following an inch-perfect low cross by left back Danny Rose. Late substitute Eriksen added the gloss when he tucked the ball past goalkeeper Milan Borjan after another fine assist by the lively Rose. Many Red Star fans left the acoustic Rajko Mitic stadium in a hurry before the final whistle, with several hundred visiting Spurs supporters in full swing. Red Star coach Vladan Milojevic conceded there was a gulf in class between the two teams. "I can only congratulate Tottenham, they punished us after we squandered some first-half opportunities," he said. "We tried to close them down but we got beaten by an outstanding team and though the defeat leaves a bitter taste, it is part of a learning curve."

Champions League: Spurs close in on last-16 berth with 4-0 rout of Red Star

Argentina set up a mouth-watering Copa America semi-final against hosts Brazil as goals from Lautaro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso secured a 2-0 quarter-final victory over Venezuela on Friday.

Martinez gave Argentina a 10th minute lead with a clever back-flick between his legs and substitute Lo Celso secured the victory 16 minutes from time, pouncing on a mistake by Venezuela's goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium.

It was another improved performance from Lionel Scaloni's team who have grown into this tournament since beginning with a 2-0 defeat to Colombia and a 1-1 draw with Paraguay.

They are bidding to end a 26-year wait for a major international trophy. 
"We're Argentina and when there are knock-out matches, it makes us strong," said Sergio Aguero, who had a hand in both goals.

"It won't be easy in any way (against Brazil) but we're Argentina and we'll try to do justice to the jersey."

Fast start&nbsp;

Argentina started like a team determined to claim the prize at stake: a semi-final against their great rivals Brazil.

Martinez played in Aguero in the inside right channel after just three minutes but the Manchester City forward's low cross-shot was blocked by goalkeeper Farinez's foot.

Argentina should have gone in front when German Pezzella ran unmarked onto a flick-on at the back post but he seemed surprised and couldn't react in time with the goal gaping.

There was constant pressure on the Venezuelan backline as Argentina won a succession of corners.

They had 80 per cent of possession in the first 10 minutes and sure enough, Venezuela cracked.

Aguero's angled shot was heading well off target as it skidded into a crowd of players, but Martinez instinctively flicked it between his legs, nutmegging an unsighted Farinez.

It was the least Argentina deserved after such a furious start but gradually Venezuela started to settle and get a foothold in the match.

"We struggled to get a foothold in the match and by the time we got going, we were already behind and facing an uphill battle," complained Venezuela coach Rafael Dudamel.

"Undoubtedly when looking back (on the tournament) we'll have a lot more positives than negatives," he added.

Chances were few and far between but Pezzella got up well to meet a Lionel Messi free-kick, only to head well over the top.

Defenders were proving the most dangerous players on the pitch and Jhon Chancellor rose highest to head over from a corner at the other end.

In first-half injury time, Martinez almost had a second put on a plate for him by Marcus Acuna, but Roberto Rosales whisked it off his toe at the back post, four yards from goal as Argentina finished the half with another burst of attacking intent.

Farinez blunder&nbsp;

Argentina made another fast start to the second half with Farinez having to punch away a wicked inswinging free-kick from Leandro Paredes, whose slide-rule pass then sent Martinez scampering into the box only to lash his shot against the outside of the post.

Aguero bundled through a number of flimsy challenges but overran the ball and Farinez gathered.

In Darwin Machis, Venezuela had a left winger with the beating of his marker Juan Foyth but the 'Vinotinto' ('Red wine') were unable to get him into the game.

And when they did, Foyth twice got away with robust challenges on the speedy forward inside the box.

The chance Venezuela had been waiting for came on 71 minutes when Tomas Rincon picked out Ronald Hernandez eight yards from goal at an angle, but he rushed his pushed volley and goalkeeper Franco Armani made a smart save.

The game was up three minutes later when Farinez spilled a shot from Aguero that was straight at him, presenting Lo Celso, who had cleverly followed the action from midfield, with a simple tap-in just six minutes after entering the fray.

Even as Venezuela pushed desperately looking for something, Argentina came closer to scoring again a couple of times through substitute Angel Di Maria, earning his 100th cap. 
&nbsp;

Argentina set up a mouth-watering Copa America semi-final against hosts Brazil as goals from Lautaro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso secured a 2-0 quarter-final victory over Venezuela on Friday.

Argentina set up a mouth-watering Copa America semi-final against hosts Brazil as goals from Lautaro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso secured a 2-0 quarter-final victory over Venezuela on Friday. Martinez gave Argentina a 10th minute lead with a clever back-flick between his legs and substitute Lo Celso secured the victory 16 minutes from time, pouncing on a mistake by Venezuela's goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium. It was another improved performance from Lionel Scaloni's team who have grown into this tournament since beginning with a 2-0 defeat to Colombia and a 1-1 draw with Paraguay. They are bidding to end a 26-year wait for a major international trophy. "We're Argentina and when there are knock-out matches, it makes us strong," said Sergio Aguero, who had a hand in both goals. "It won't be easy in any way (against Brazil) but we're Argentina and we'll try to do justice to the jersey." Fast start Argentina started like a team determined to claim the prize at stake: a semi-final against their great rivals Brazil. Martinez played in Aguero in the inside right channel after just three minutes but the Manchester City forward's low cross-shot was blocked by goalkeeper Farinez's foot. Argentina should have gone in front when German Pezzella ran unmarked onto a flick-on at the back post but he seemed surprised and couldn't react in time with the goal gaping. There was constant pressure on the Venezuelan backline as Argentina won a succession of corners. They had 80 per cent of possession in the first 10 minutes and sure enough, Venezuela cracked. Aguero's angled shot was heading well off target as it skidded into a crowd of players, but Martinez instinctively flicked it between his legs, nutmegging an unsighted Farinez. It was the least Argentina deserved after such a furious start but gradually Venezuela started to settle and get a foothold in the match. "We struggled to get a foothold in the match and by the time we got going, we were already behind and facing an uphill battle," complained Venezuela coach Rafael Dudamel. "Undoubtedly when looking back (on the tournament) we'll have a lot more positives than negatives," he added. Chances were few and far between but Pezzella got up well to meet a Lionel Messi free-kick, only to head well over the top. Defenders were proving the most dangerous players on the pitch and Jhon Chancellor rose highest to head over from a corner at the other end. In first-half injury time, Martinez almost had a second put on a plate for him by Marcus Acuna, but Roberto Rosales whisked it off his toe at the back post, four yards from goal as Argentina finished the half with another burst of attacking intent. Farinez blunder Argentina made another fast start to the second half with Farinez having to punch away a wicked inswinging free-kick from Leandro Paredes, whose slide-rule pass then sent Martinez scampering into the box only to lash his shot against the outside of the post. Aguero bundled through a number of flimsy challenges but overran the ball and Farinez gathered. In Darwin Machis, Venezuela had a left winger with the beating of his marker Juan Foyth but the 'Vinotinto' ('Red wine') were unable to get him into the game. And when they did, Foyth twice got away with robust challenges on the speedy forward inside the box. The chance Venezuela had been waiting for came on 71 minutes when Tomas Rincon picked out Ronald Hernandez eight yards from goal at an angle, but he rushed his pushed volley and goalkeeper Franco Armani made a smart save. The game was up three minutes later when Farinez spilled a shot from Aguero that was straight at him, presenting Lo Celso, who had cleverly followed the action from midfield, with a simple tap-in just six minutes after entering the fray. Even as Venezuela pushed desperately looking for something, Argentina came closer to scoring again a couple of times through substitute Angel Di Maria, earning his 100th cap.

Martinez, Lo Celso goals earn Argentina Copa semi against Brazil

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English Premier League: Liverpool continue dominance as Firmino nets winner at Spurs

Champions League: Spurs close in on last-16 berth with 4-0 rout of Red Star

Martinez, Lo Celso goals earn Argentina Copa semi against Brazil