Liverpool will be looking to revive their season with a win against Tottenham Hotspurs after some disappointing results which have seen The Reds drop to fifth position and a threat to a place in the UEFA Champions League. The Lilly White on their part need the three points at stake to keep pace with league leaders-Chelsea. Its surely a game for the neutrals to enjoy
If Tottenham Hotspur are to keep up the chase of Premier League leaders Chelsea, they must find a cure for their Anfield jinx and pile on the misery for fading Liverpool today. A victory would see Spurs cut Chelsea’s lead to six points before the Blues travel on Sunday to face a Burnley side who are proving formidable at home this season.
Tottenham have lost five and drawn three of their last eight league matches with Liverpool. The last time they returned from Anfield with three points was in 2011 and before that, it was way back in 1993.
With Liverpool’s title ambitions effectively over after they picked up only three points from the last 15 available, it could be the perfect time for Spurs to improve that record. Conversely, it could be just the kind of fixture Liverpool need to remedy a malaise which has turned up the heat on manager Juergen Klopp for the first time since he took over in 2015.
While the perception, until recently, was that Liverpool had moved forward under the German coach, his record after 54 league games is identical to that of his predecessor Brendan Rodgers — won 26, drawn 16, lost 12.
Now would seem a good time to face Liverpool, with J Klopp’s side slipping down the pecking order after winning just four of their last 10 league games and picking up three points from a possible 15 since December.
Seasoned fans will know there is never really a great time to visit Anfield, with Klopp bound to impress on his team -and the fans the importance of a win today.
“In a few days we have an opportunity to play football and we can show then that we are ready for all the other games, because it’s Tottenham, who are a top team,” former Borussia Dortmund coach Klopp said after a 2-0 defeat by Hull City last weekend that left them fifth, 13 points behind Chelsea.
Spurs have the best defensive record in the league with only 16 goals conceded but will be without two key components of their backline today with central defender Jan Vertonghen down with an ankle injury and left back Danny Rose, still injured in his knee.
Vertonghem is still not ready to mark his return to the side with an ankle injury keeping him out of Pochettino’s squad. He is recovering from ligament damage, while Erik Lamela who is nursing a hip problem will also be missing the clash with the Reds.
However a boost for Spurs is that Kieran Tripper looks to have recovered from his own hip problem, but isn’t expected to start in front of the in-form Kyle Walker, While, Klopp could be without centre-backs, Ragnar Klavan and Dejan Lovren for the crucial match.
This will come as a huge blow for the German boss as Klavan is a doubt through illness, while Lovren is currently recuperating from a knee injury.
Chelsea will be wary of a trip to Burnley who have gathered 28 of their 29 points this season at Turf Moor.
“We believe we can beat Chelsea. Our home form has been unbelievable,” Burnley’s former Manchester United defender Michael Keane said. “They are in for a tough game.”
Liverpool are not the only side whose title challenge has collapsed. Arsenal’s consecutive defeats by Watford and Chelsea have left them down in fourth and the fans grumbling. Manager Arsene Wenger, the focus for much of the angst, will again be in the stands when his side host Hull in today’s early game as he completes a four-match touchline ban.
Manchester United, unbeaten in 15 straight league games, have seen their hopes of muscling into the top four frustrated by three draws in four matches, although they host Watford buoyed by last weekend’s 3-0 win at champions Leicester City.
Third-placed Manchester City, three spots and four points above United, travel to fading Bournemouth on Monday. Leicester face a huge match at fellow strugglers Swansea City on Sunday having fallen within a point of the bottom three.
Manager Claudio Ranieri received the backing of the Midlands club’s owners this week, but a fifth defeat in a row, especially against a side also battling near the bottom, would raise the prospect of relegation a year after a fairytale title triumph.
