Liverpool will welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Anfield in what will be an extremely crucial match as far as top 4 dynamics is concerned. The Reds have been on a deplorable run since the turn of the year and have managed to win a solitary game in 10 attempts as a month and a half has seen them get knocked out of two domestic competitions and put their Top 4 chances in jeopardy and virtually end their title chances.
Spurs, on the other hand, have been extremely effective and have gone about their business quietly. They are leading the table if the displays in 2017 are considered. They are the in-form team and are currently the frontrunners to challenge Chelsea’s dominance at the top of the table. But the 9 point gap cannot be allowed to increase any further and it is imperative for the Lilywhites that they don’t drop points at Anfield.
Pochettino has done tremendous work with the lot of them and the average age of the side shows how important it is to have a fit and young side who can carry out the high-intensity and taxing workload the managers are putting on the players nowadays. The focus on running and covering a lot more area is the first and foremost priority and helps in covering a lot of bases for the gaffer.
And both the managers prefer a high-intensity and high-octane approach to their football.
Let us take a look at the combined line-up of the 2 sides who will be in action.
COMBINED LIVERPOOL & TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR LINE-UP (4-2-3-1)
DEFENCE
Hugo Lloris has been impressive overall although he has missed a couple of beats over the last fortnight. Alderweireld is one of our central defenders with the other player being Matip with Vertonghen injured. The two will form a dynamic pair and are an enticing prospect. At right-back, Walker is ahead of the others by a fair distance while Rose’s injury sees Milner line-up at left-back.
MIDFIELD
In the double pivot, it is difficult to see beyond the duo of Dembele and Wanyama. They have been tremendous. Breaking up attacks and simultaneously launching attacks, they have been the ideal players Pochettino would have hope for. In the No.10 role, Dele Alli is the undisputed choice. The youngster is well on his way to becoming a superstar if he isn’t one already.
ATTACK
On the left side, it was a tough call between Coutinho and Eriksen but Coutinho as a slightly better all-round player makes the cut if current form is not taken into account. Similarly, Sadio Mane makes the cut on the opposite wing. Up top, Harry Kane is another undisputed choice to lead the attack.
MANAGER- MAURICIO POCHETTINO
