So much for merely being flat-track bullies.

Liverpool FC announced themselves as genuine top four contenders in glorious fashion on an unforgettable afternoon in the capital.

This was an emphatic statement of intent as Brendan Rodgers savoured the most significant triumph of his Anfield tenure.

For the first time during his reign the travelling Kop, who repeatedly chanted the manager's name, toasted an away victory against one of the Premier League's big-hitters.So often in recent years Liverpool have under-delivered in contests like this.

Wounds have been self-inflicted - an inferiority complex against the top sides leading to tales of what might have been.

Not this time. Tottenham weren't simply beaten, they were embarrassed as Rodgers' side produced a breathtaking display of total domination.

Make no mistake, the scoreline didn't flatter Liverpool, who registered their biggest ever win at White Hart Lane. But for the heroics of keeper Hugo Lloris the humiliation for the hosts would have been much greater.

Paulinho's red card for recklessly planting his studs in Luis Suarez's ribs gave the Reds a numerical advantage for the final half hour but by then they were already 2-0 up and cruising.

This was Liverpool's most complete performance under Rodgers. Their creativity, guile and movement when in possession repeatedly carved Spurs apart.

That quality was coupled with a tireless work ethic as they simply refused to allow the Londoners to gain a foothold in the game.

Two-goal Luis Suarez continued his scintillating form as he excelled after being handed the armband in the absence of Steven Gerrard. But this was truly a collective effort with heroes in all departments.

Rarely has a goal been celebrated with the outpouring of joy which greeted Jon Flanagan's first strike for the club.

Usually so calm and composed on the touchline, Rodgers charged down the touchline with both arms aloft. The manager stopped just short of joining his players in piling on top of the Academy graduate.

It was a moment the young full-back from Childwall will never forget - meeting Suarez's cross with a stunning half volley which flew in off the underside of the bar.

The goal was reward for another hugely impressive shift from Flanagan on his fifth successive start. Aaron Lennon barely had a kick.

This was the day when Liverpool finally found a cure for their travel sickness as they clinched their first away win since September. Finally, they performed with the same kind of swagger on the road as fans have become accustomed to at Anfield.

Attacking wise they were irresistible and defensively they heeded Rodgers' call to toughen up.

Centre-backs Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho vindicated the decision to leave vice-captain Daniel Agger on the bench as they snuffed out the threat of £26million striker Roberto Soldado.

Simon Mignolet wouldn't have been missed if he had decided to do some Christmas shopping on Oxford Street such was the authority of the visiting backline.

With Gerrard out, Rodgers had urged the central midfield trio of Jordan Henderson, Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen to fill the void and they delivered in style.

Lucas and Allen provided the control in front of the back four and left it to Henderson to pull the strings further forward.

The England international did it with relish. Henderson, who scored the second, deservedly walked away with the man of the match award after the most memorable shift of his Anfield career.

Henderson was at the heart of everything good about Liverpool - taking on Gerrard's mantle with his range of passing and vision tormenting Spurs throughout.

Philippe Coutinho cut in off the left flank with menace to link up expertly with Suarez, while on the other flank Raheem Sterling reaffirmed that he belongs at this level.

It's been a difficult 12 months for Sterling since the initial impact he made after breaking into the side. But the 19-year-old has come through it and is now showing why the Reds handed him that lucrative long-term contract.

His confidence is back and the winger terrorised Kyle Naughton during the first half before doing the same to Zeki Fryers after the break.

Sterling, who ran himself into the ground, could hardly believe his luck when he was given the freedom of the penalty box to net Liverpool's fifth late on.

History was against the Reds having lost their last six visits to White Hart Lane, but they played with an intensity and tempo Spurs simply couldn't handle.

Just four months after being banished to train on his own after accusing his manager of breaking a promise to let him leave and demanding a transfer, Suarez led Liverpool into battle.

Considering his chequered past the sight of the Uruguayan leading the team will sit uneasily with some but if the Reds continue to perform like this there will be few complaints.

Suarez inspires those around him with actions rather than words and he started the rout in the 18th minute, latching on to Henderson's pass before clinically finding the bottom corner.

Belief surged through the Reds' veins. Suarez was thwarted by Lloris before Coutinho struck the bar and Glen Johnson lashed just over.

Nacer Chadli and substitute Lewis Holtby wasted chances to restore parity but Liverpool were always in the ascendancy.

Suarez fired straight at Lloris after pouncing on the Frenchman's error but six minutes before the interval the visitors had breathing space.

Sterling's lofted pass was expertly touched into the path of Henderson by Coutinho. His initial effort was blocked by Lloris, who also clawed away Suarez's attempt from the rebound. However, the ball dropped to Henderson and he coolly volleyed home.

The expected second-half revival from Spurs failed to materialise as Liverpool's vice-like grip on proceedings remained.

Sakho should have killed the game off but he headed against the post from two yards out.

Liverpool were relentless and after Paulinho had seen red they finished with a flourish.

With 16 minutes to go Henderson's back heel found Suarez whose cross to the back post was hammered in so sweetly by Flanagan.

Suarez soon helped himself to his second of the afternoon, gleefully lobbing Lloris after a classy pass from substitute Luis Alberto.

Remarkably, with 17 goals in just 11 games this season, the frontman has been more prolific than 10 of the 20 clubs in the Premier League.

There was no mercy shown by the Reds with Sterling putting the icing on the cake after being released by Suarez.

This was a victory to savour. Liverpool have taken a giant step forward.

Source: Liverpool Echo