Five key features of Reds' Tottenham rout

Brendan Rodgers' side pounced on their visitors from the first whistle and were typically clinical in registering a quartet of unanswered goals en route to climbing to top spot in the Barclays Premier League.

Precise passing football ultimately forced Younes Kaboul to concede an own goal, before Luis Suarez bulldozed around and beyond the away defence to plant a finish into the corner - his 29th of the campaign.

An agile, twisting turn by Jon Flanagan at left-back provided the platform for a Philippe Coutinho piledriver, and Jordan Henderson completed the rout when his set-piece delivery from the left sailed into the net.

How exactly did the Reds overcome the Londoners, whom they had already beaten handsomely 5-0 earlier in the season? We have selected five vital factors in the triumph and would love to hear your own thoughts in the comments section below.

The early goal that sets the standard

Less than two minutes had elapsed on Sunday before Tottenham found themselves trailing to the team that have scored more times than any other in the Premier League so far this season. Outstanding build-up passing by Coutinho and Raheem Sterling released an onrushing Glen Johnson along the right flank and the No.2's low cross towards the middle struck Jan Vertonghen and Kaboul before bundling home for the opener. Like North London rivals Arsenal before them, Tim Sherwood's outfit were behind in the blink of an eye and - as the Gunners, Everton, Manchester United and more can testify from experience in 2013-14 - it is a long way back once Rodgers' charges snatch an advantage. If any more evidence were needed, the Opta statistic below, posted following the first goal yesterday, explains the full story.

52 - Liverpool have scored 52 first half PL goals this season; 12 more than Spurs have managed in total. Power.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 30, 2014

Sterling's skillset terrorises Spurs

One of the very first questions pitched to Rodgers at his post-match press conference regarded Sterling, who was overwhelmingly voted Man of the Match by Liverpool supporters on Twitter after the final whistle. "He can run in behind, he's fast and direct, but you can see his football improving," reflected the manager on the 19-year-old. "He can be with the ball under pressure. I thought he was magnificent today." The young Englishman had started the previous two fixtures among the substitutes, but was plunged into the action against Spurs, as the boss reverted to a 4-3-3 system following the recent switch to a diamond formation. Sterling's running was endless, his ingenuity a constant thorn to Tottenham's defence. The man himself explained: "We're not just running headlessly, we're working as a unit and really perfecting that."

Building from the back brings rewards

Arguably the greatest display of the confidence instilled in his players by Rodgers occurred at the outset of the third goal on Sunday. With Tottenham closing down high up the pitch and seemingly no options available for the Reds to play out, there was a conundrum. It was quickly solved, however, as possession was directed to Jon Flanagan, who dropped a shoulder to the left, spun to the right around his marker and scampered forward. The young Scouser subsequently laid the ball off to Coutinho and the Brazilian brought Kopites to their feet once again with an arrow of a strike into the bottom corner. "We look and work to get numbers and options around the ball," Rodgers analysed. "Young Jon Flanagan had a great bit of skill and once you come out of that pressure, the field opens up for you. Our nature on a daily basis is to touch the ball - that's what you want, for your team to have the courage to play."

Glen's engine kicks into top gear

The clash with Tottenham was a sixth consecutive appearance for Johnson following the versatile full-back's indefinite spell on the sidelines earlier in the year. This was an exhibition of the England international's finest attributes too - relentless work-rate up and down his wing, consistent support in advanced areas, as seen with his contribution to the Kaboul error which kicked off proceedings, and calm defending when driven back into his own half. "It's what we've been doing all season," Johnson offered by way of understanding the methods. "We work hard and we try to put the opposition under pressure right from the beginning." The 29-year-old has spoken on several occasions recently of feeling better than ever in terms of fitness, and the proof was undoubtedly in the pudding at Anfield.

A remarkable YNWA and that Kop roar 

The hairs were standing on the back of every neck when the Kop collectively roared their gratitude to the players in front of them when the result had been wrapped up. Rodgers and his squad drifted towards their adoring fans after full-time, clapping the ground for the unshakeable support provided throughout the entire 90 minutes and before kick-off. Perhaps the most fitting word to describe that crescendo of a growl would be 'primal'. Resonant and inspirational, the noise was a complimentary bookend to the remarkable 'You'll Never Walk Alone' sung ahead of the action - the impact of which was visible on the faces of the Tottenham starting XI. Rodgers had talked of the club's 'army of supporters' in the lead-up to Spurs' visit and his words certainly rang true.

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