Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur Preview

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur Preview

Improving Liverpool take on in form Spurs in what could be a crucial game in the battle for the top four.

 

Liverpool and Tottenham are the two teams at the top of the premier league form guide with Liverpool taking 14 points from their last 6 games and Spurs taking 13.

 

Tottenham are coming off the back of an impressive win against their local rivals Arsenal. Young striker Harry Kane scored both the goals in the 2 - 1 win and he continues to go from strength to strength.

 

Stopping the striker will be key to victory, Kane already has 12 league goals this season, more than Liverpool’s top 2 league scorers (Raheem Sterling and Steven Gerrard combined) who have 5 each.

 

Liverpool strangely however may feel confident in keeping him at bay. The Reds have kept four clean sheets in their last five league games after a horrific defensive record earlier in the season.

 

Liverpool’s problem recently has been goals. Liverpool have only scored 33 goals this season so far averaging only 1.38 goals per game. This is down from last season as well as conversion rate and pass accuracy.

 

Some have been talking up the battle between Kane and Sturridge although it is unclear if the Liverpool man will even start. Even if he does he is lacking match fitness and shouldn’t be judged off on game. His return could signal the goals Liverpool need.

 

Liverpool will be confident factoring their recent record against Tottenham. I took great pleasure last season in discussing football with my Tottenham friends and this good record continued into this season. Liverpool have won the last four vs Spurs and will want to continue this fine run.

 

Liverpool’s team will likely be similar to the one that played at Everton. Young winger Jordan Ibe is likely to keep his place and he definitely deserves to after a strong performance. Lucas will miss the game with injury meaning either Allen will come in or Gerrard will drop into a deeper role. If this happens Adam Lallana seems likely to come in.

 

Mario Balotelli did not even make the bench against Everton and I expect him to once again be excluded from the match day squad.

 

This is a tough one to call. While Tottenham did win at Arsenal on Saturday they do have a habit of folding in big games, particularly away from home. They do seem to have more spine under Pochettino however but I still predict a Liverpool victory.