Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur Preview

It has been a whirlwind season in the premier league with none of the top teams showing consistency, with Chelsea being the exception and Tottenham as well, but only to an extent. Despite this, Tottenham haven’t really managed to close the gap down on their London rivals and draws against Man City and Sunderland saw them lose further ground. However, they now have a chance to put things into perspective when they travel to Anfield for this crunch clash, with this game being crucial for both teams.

Liverpool have seen their form dip dramatically after losing 2 and drawing 3 in their last 5 games in the league, before which they managed to win 4 games on the trot, including a home win against fellow contenders Manchester City. The defeat in their previous game against Hull leaves them short of confidence, but the fact that Liverpool have not lost a single game against the top 6 this season, must reduce some anxiety at the Anfield camp. With the previous meeting between the two sides ending with each grabbing a point, this one promises more intensity as 3 points being necessary for both.

Tottenham have been the only team to realistically stay within touching distance of Chelsea and any result other than a win would see Chelsea go 12 points clear at the top of the table, which would literally mean game over this season. Despite two draws in their last 5 games, the real damage was caused only in the game against Man City where they came from behind to take home a point and which saw Chelsea win their game that weekend and go 2 more points ahead. If Spurs do manage to beat Liverpool, then Chelsea might start feeling the pressure a little bit. With Chelsea and Tottenham having already played each other twice, the Lilywhites can only do their job and hope that the Blues fumble.

Team News:

For Liverpool,

Dejan Lovren still remains a doubt after sitting out the 2-0 defeat to Hull with a Knee problem. But Ragnar Klavan must be available after missing last weekend due to illness. Meanwhile, Marko Grujic continues his recovery from his Hamstring injury.

For Tottenham,

Pochettino is hoping Kieran Trippier will be available in the squad for the trip to Anfield, but there is no guarantee that he may start. Eric Lamela still continues to recover from hip injury and Vertonghen looks set to return to full training next week. Danny Rose remains out after the knee injury he suffered against Sunderland earlier, as he has not completely recovered from it.

Line-ups:

Liverpool

4-3-3 formation

                    Mignolet

Clyne     Matip    Klavan   Milner

Can        Henderson     Wijnaldum

Mane      Firmino       Coutinho

Tottenham

4-2-3-1

Vorm

Walker    Dier     Alderweireld     Davies

Dembele     Wanyama

Eriksen            Alli             Sissokho

Kane

Key Stats:

Liverpool are on an eight-game unbeaten run against Spurs in the Premier League (W5 D3 L0); they last went nine without defeat against them in March 1998.

Spurs have lost 15 of their 24 visits to Anfield in the Premier League (W2 D7) – they have only lost more often at Old Trafford (20) and Stamford Bridge (16).

Mauricio Pochettino has never beaten the Reds as Spurs manager (D3 L3), including losing a League Cup fourth round tie earlier this season. However, when he was the manager of Southampton he won two of three games (L1) against them.

Only against Newcastle (88) have Liverpool scored more Premier League goals than against Spurs (83).

Liverpool have scored 12 penalties against Spurs in the Premier League – the most by a team against an opponent in the history of the competition

Spurs have conceded the fewest goals from open play in the Premier League this season (7). Indeed, Liverpool have shipped more goals from open play (18) than Spurs have in total this season (16).

Harry Kane has been involved in all three of Spurs’ goals in their last two Premier League games at Anfield, scoring twice and assisting once.

Key Stats courtesy: FourFourTwo

Prediction

It is certainly going to be a tight game at Anfield. History suggests a Liverpool win and form suggests a possible Spurs win. But it is evident that both teams will not go for anything less than 3 points.

Liverpool 2-2 Tottenham