Tottenham take on Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime, the first Premier League game for two weeks as the international break took over. It’s been a good start to the season for Liverpool, who’ve so far backed up their pre-season promise as title challengers with four straight wins at the start of the season, the first time they’ve done this in almost 30 years. As for Spurs, they had an impressive victory over Manchester United prior to the international break, but in a very Spurs-like way, they lost to Watford in the following game.
Liverpool have been very impressive this season, although there was a moment to forget for new goalkeeper Alisson in their last game against Leicester. The ‘keeper made a horrendous mistake after getting caught in possession and the Foxes capitalised. Despite this though, Jurgen Klopp’s side won 2-1 to make it a second away victory this season, the first coming at Selhurst Park in August. Away wins are a good marker of how good a side is and their visit to Wembley comes 11 months after losing to Spurs 4-1, in a deeply disappointing display last season.
As for Spurs, the last two games have shown exactly what comes from them. They thumped Manchester United at Old Trafford, with Lucas Moura scoring twice and Harry Kane getting a header, but followed it up with a poor performance at Watford, which now sees them in fifth in the Premier League table. However, since then, star defender Toby Alderweireld has boosted morale by insisting that he wanted to stay at Spurs this summer, which suggests that he might be signing a new contract shortly.
Tottenham vs. Liverpool Predictions
I’m backing Liverpool to win this one. Spurs will be under a lot of pressure after losing to Watford and they’ll have to attack Liverpool and that’s what their fans will expect. Liverpool can catch them on the break and might even get a win. Jurgen Klopp has an excellent record against the top teams and could improve that on Saturday.
Tottenham vs. Liverpool Betting Tips
Head to Head
- Spurs and Liverpool have met 52 times, with Liverpool winning on 23 occasions, seven of those coming at Spurs.
- Tottenham have beaten Liverpool 14 times and the omens are good, with 12 of those being at home.
- The last time Spurs hosted Liverpool, the north Londoners thrashed the Reds 4-1 at Wembley last October. Their most recent meeting was at Anfield in February, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
- If three goals are scored on Saturday, this will become the Premier League’s highest-scoring fixture, overtaking the 151 goals scored in matches between Arsenal and Everton.
- Matches featuring these two teams have had 22 penalties, more than any other in the competition’s history.
- Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has a great record against Spurs, scoring all three of Liverpool’s Premier League goals against them last season.
- Harry Kane also enjoys this fixture. The Spurs striker has been directly involved in seven goals in seven Premier League appearances against Liverpool, scoring five and assisting two, including four in the last two matches.
Tottenham Team News
Despite his off-field issues, Hugo Lloris is expected to start in goal, while Lucas Moura could continue on the wing after a blistering start to the season. Son Heung-Min has returned from international duty, but is likely to start on the bench.
Probable Tottenham XI: Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen, Davinson Sanchez, Toby Alderweireld, Kieran Trippier, Danny Rose, Mousa Dembele, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Lucas Moura, Harry Kane
Liverpool Team News
Joe Gomez is likely to partner Virgil Van Dijk in defence, while Naby Keita is expected to return to the midfield, likely at the expense of Jordan Henderson. The attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are all fit to play.
Probable Liverpool XI: Alisson, Andy Robertson, Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner, Naby Keita, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino
@dominictrant