The Premier League action is back after a weekend of FA Cup drama. It hardly gets any better than Tottenham hosting Liverpool in the first game of the week. Jose Mourinho’s men will take on Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool with just one point separating both the teams. Liverpool is at 34 points from 19 games and Tottenham are at 33 points from 18 games.
Revenge would surely be on Mourinho’s mind as they welcome Liverpool. In the reverse fixture, it looked like the game will end up level. However, a late goal from a corner kick by Firmino meant Liverpool took all three points. With that defeat, the Reds made it five wins against Tottenham in the past six games. Spurs have only won one of their previous six games against Liverpool.
If the Reds are able to win this one, then it will be for the first time they have won against the Spurs away from home three times consecutively. This will be the first time both of them will face each other on a Thursday night. Only West Ham and Everton have beaten the Spurs on all days of the week if Liverpool wins this one they will be the third team.
This season, Mourinho’s men haven’t lost a game when they have scored the first goal. They have scored the first goal in 12 games but they have dropped ten points from such positions. Apart from Spurs, only Manchester City have managed to score the first goal in more games.
Analysis
There will no surprises in this game. With Jose Mourinho against a top team, everyone knows what he will do. The former Chelsea is also absolutely unapologetic about it as well despite criticism. He has always answered his critics with a victory and trophies. The park the bus method has worked extremely well for him and he looks in the mood to change it.
While Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will try to get back his heavy metal football. They will look to bounce back from their FA Cup defeat. Manchester United managed to knock them out by winning the game 3-2. Before this game they were finding it hard to score goals, however, in this game, they managed to score goals but conceded on the other hand.
For Liverpool, Thiago will be the most crucial player in this game. Their fullbacks are usually the creators for them but Klopp would want more from Thiago. Tottenham will be prepared for crosses swung in by Trent Alexander Arnold and Andy Robertson. While Thiago was signed this season to create more chances through the middle.
If the former Bayern Munich man can get time and space on the ball, he can cause damage. Spurs game plan will be simple, they will try to hit the Reds on the counter. Liverpool plays a high line and Mourinho would want to exploit that. Harry Kane will drop deep and Son will make runs in behind the Liverpool defense.
Team News and Injury
Tottenham Hotspur
Giovani Lo Celso has been sidelined for the long term. While Dele Alli and Matt Doherty are also unlikely to come back anytime soon. Ben Davies is also a doubt for the game.
Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are long term absentees. Club captain Jordan Henderson is out with a muscle problem. Naby Keita and Diego Jota are also on the injury list.
Ones to Watch out for
Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Kane, Son, Alderweireld, and Lloris will be the key players for Jose Mourinho. Sergio Regullion, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, and Tanguy Ndombele will be the players to watch for.
Liverpool
Sadio Mane and Mo Salah are the obvious key players along with Trent Alexander Arnold and Andy Robertson. Thiago, Allison, and Wijnaldum will the players to watch out for.
Tottenham vs Liverpool: Head to Head
Tottenham and Liverpool have faced each other 176 times. Spurs have won 48, while the Reds have won 86 times and the rest of 42 have ended up as draws.
Predicted Line-Up and Prediction
Tottenham: Lloris, Serge Aurier, Dier, Alderweireld, Regullion, Højbjerg, Sissoko, Ndombele, Son, Kane, Moura.
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Thiago, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Liverpool.
