For Fernando Torres in 2009, read Luis Suárez in 2013, although the Uruguayan is close to eclipsing the achievements of the Spaniard on Merseyside. When Suárez opened the scoring with his 16th goal of the season, he had at that point scored more Premier League goals than the entire Spurs squad. His link-up play with Jordan Henderson was outstanding and proved a seasonal turning point for the maligned central midfielder; he volleyed in Liverpool's second to give them a 2-0 half time lead, but in truth such a scoreline heavily flattered Tottenham. In the second half Spurs fell to pieces, panicked by Liverpool's quick, sharp first-time passes. Paulinho kicked Suárez in the chest and was sent off, and a flurry of late goals from Jon Flanagan, Suárez and Raheem Sterling not only sealed Andre Villas Boas' sacking but also established Liverpool as firm favourites to win the race for Champions League football next season over the Londoners.