The fourth round of the League Cup gives us a classic fixture on Tuesday night as Liverpool take on mighty Spurs at Anfield. With the Manchester Derby on the cards on the next day getting the limelight, this could be the most entertaining fixture in the midweek. Both Liverpool and Spurs are buzzing as both teams are in great form this season. Liverpool, courtesy of their 2-1 win over West Brom on Saturday, joined Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the table (even though they are behind on goal difference) while Spurs are the only unbeaten team this term in the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino, two of the best managers in the League will look to overcome each other tomorrow but both will be tempted to take a chance with their second team. League Cup has always been the competition for bigger clubs to test their squad depth and check whether the bench players are ready to step up when needed or not. Even though it is a big game for both sides, both managers are likely to go with their the fringe players.
Team news
Liverpool
Liverpool will miss their skipper Jordan Henderson through a suspension after picking up five yellow cards in the Premier League. The Reds do not have any fresh injury concerns.
Spurs
Harry Kane and Toby Alderweireld remain out with injury, as does Marcus Edwards. Moussa Sissoko will be unavailable with suspension for a violent conduct on Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter.
Predicted lineups
Liverpool (4-3-3): Mignolet; Arnold, Lucas, Klavan, Moreno; Stewart, Can, Grujic; Sturridge, Ings, Origi
Spurs (4-2-3-1): Vorm; Trippier, Carter-Vickers, Wimmer, Davies; Carroll, Dembele; N’Koudou, Winks, Onomah; Janssen
Key players
Liverpool- Daniel Sturridge
Sturridge, atleast ability wise, is easily one of the best strikers in the Premier League when he is fit but the English international is having a tough time at Anfield this season. After seven Premier League games, the 27-year-old is yet to score his first goal for the Reds. However, the gifted forward scored two goals in the last round of the League Cup against Derby and will be keen to impress once again and prove a point to Klopp.
Spurs- Vincent Janssen
Spurs signed Janssen this summer to ease off some pressure off the shoulders of Harry Kane but the Dutch international has not done enough to prove that he can deputise for Kane in his absence. After playing 636 minutes of football in all competitions, the 22-year-old has just scored one goal that came against Gillingham in the last round of the League Cup. This could be a crucial game for the young striker to prove his worth to the fans who are rightly concerned about his form.
Odds
Liverpool – 3/4
Draw – 11/4
Tottenham – 4/1
