After tasting a thumping 5-0 victory over Burton Alboin, the Merseyside club Liverpool will now be getting ready for the bigger challenge in the league. For the second time in two weeks, the side will be travelling to north London to face the all confident Mauricio Pochettino’s men, Tottenham Hotspur.

Just like the previous season, Liverpool have been a victim of inconsistency. They started their campaign in style as they conquered the Emirates stadium in the opening day of the Premier League, but failed to show the same form at the Turf Moor against Burnley and faced a humiliating 2-0 defeat to the Clarets.

Tottenham, on the other hand, started their season mediocrely, as they drew 1-1 against Everton on the opening day of the season, but came back on track after they defeated Crystal Palace by one goal to nil. Well, it was surely not the result Pochettino would have hoped for (the goal margin), but a win is a win, no matter how or by how many.

In the previous season, the first encounter (at White Hart Lane) ended in a 0-0 draw, while the other too had no winner (1-1). Well, the players from both the teams are yet to hit a top form, but a nail-biting encounter is expected.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool Team News:

The hosts will be without the service of their skipper Hugo Lloris, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up in the opening day draw at Everton, hence, Michel Vorm is expected to stay between the post.

Furthermore, midfielder Mousa Dembele will also be an absentee as he will be serving his fifth of his six-game ban. On the other hand, Dele Alli is expected to return to the starting XI, which could see Vincent Janssen on the bench for the fixture.

The travellers are having some serious troubles regarding the fitness for their players. The manager has confirmed that Emre Can and Divock Origi are amongst the players, who could miss the game.

“There are a few players a little bit in doubt, of course. It’s not too serious.

“We had a game on Tuesday and the next game is in two days again, so we need to wait a little bit.

“Of course, it’s Emre – there’s nothing really serious in the ankle but it’s ‘his’ ankle if you want, where he had a few problems in the past.

“It shouldn’t be too long, for sure, but maybe too long for the Tottenham game, I don’t know in this moment.

“It’s the same with Divock. It’s nothing serious really. But if you have cramp, whatever the cramp exactly is because [there are] different levels, you need to have a look at it too. So it’s not for sure that they will be available.”

On the other hand, Sadio Mane made a surprise return to the team last time out, and therefore, he will be an important figure for the team. For the left spot, the manager might again drop Alberto Moreno, hence, James Milner is expected on the spot.

Predicted Lineup:

Tottenham Hotspur:

Vorm

Walker; Alderweireld; Vertonghen; Rose

Dier; Wanyama

Lamela; Alli; Eriksen

Kane

Liverpool:

Mignolet

Clyne; Lovren; Klavan; Milner

Henderson; Wijnaldum; Lallana

Mane; Firmino; Coutinho

Stats (taken from FourFourTwo):

• Tottenham Hotspur are without a win in their last seven Premier League meetings with Liverpool, losing five and drawing the last two.
• Liverpool have bagged 19 goals in their seven-game unbeaten run against Tottenham, an average of 2.7 per game.
• Liverpool are unbeaten in three league visits to White Hart Lane (W2 D1), scoring eight goals and conceding none.
• This fixture has seen 136 goals scored in Premier League history, only three fixtures have seen more: Newcastle v Tottenham (138), Liverpool v Newcastle (138) and Tottenham v Arsenal (137).
• There have been more own goals scored in Premier League matches between Tottenham and Liverpool than any other fixture (9).
• Liverpool (31 games) and Spurs (26 games) have gone longer without a 0-0 draw in the Premier League than any other clubs currently in the competition.
• Liverpool have scored the most Premier League goals in 2016 so far (45), but they have also conceded 33 (the sixth most).
• Harry Kane has never scored a Premier League goal in the month of August, despite playing nine games and 545 minutes on the pitch in this month.
• Liverpool are the first team to play their opening three top-flight league games away from home since Chelsea and Bolton Wanderers in 1997-98.

Prediction:

Statistically, Liverpool will be carrying an upper hand in the game, but then we all are aware of the fact that Tottenham are more consistent side compared to Liverpool. The Merseysiders do carry a serious attacking threat, but their defence is something they need to sort out. Mane’s arrival will surely boost the attacking prowess, but the absence of Emre Can might cost the team some way or the other. A tough game is expected, but we might see another draw as both the teams are capable of cancelling each other out.

2-2 Draw