Phil Boersma had his hat-trick before half-time. Liverpool's 5–2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on 7 September 1974 belonged chiefly to a forward taking his opportunity during Kevin Keegan's absence, but it also continued an excellent opening to Bob Paisley's first league campaign.
Boersma had scored twice at Chelsea the previous Saturday. At Anfield he needed only nine minutes to match that return, putting Liverpool two goals ahead before Tottenham had settled into the afternoon.
The first arrived after four minutes, with Emlyn Hughes supplying the opening. Ray Kennedy provided the second five minutes later. With John Toshack on the substitutes' bench and Keegan absent, the starting attack was already making its mark.
Steve Perryman pulled a goal back in the 18th minute, preventing Liverpool from carrying their early two-goal cushion undisturbed towards the interval. Boersma restored it four minutes before half-time, completing his treble from Brian Hall's contribution and sending Liverpool in 3–1 ahead.
His run in the side had come while Keegan served a suspension following the Charity Shield. For a player accustomed to competing with the established Keegan–Toshack partnership, the opening weeks offered a sustained chance to play. The goals at Stamford Bridge and Anfield were a substantial response.
Tottenham still had another goal in them, but Liverpool extended their advantage first. Hughes made it 4–1 in the 71st minute; Martin Chivers answered two minutes later. Kennedy then supplied the final goal in the 87th minute, with Boersma this time involved as provider.
The result made Liverpool's league record five wins and a draw from six matches. They had already beaten Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield, so this was a third home league victory, not Paisley's home debut. Liverpool remained top, while Tottenham were bottom.
Boersma's three first-half goals had done most of the work. Kennedy's contribution to the scoring and Hughes's goal ensured that the afternoon was more than an individual success, as Liverpool kept their unbeaten start intact.