Tottenham Hotspur are looking to get into the top four when they welcome Liverpool on Thursday. It could be a vital game for Jose Mourinho, whose side have been on the ascendancy in recent weeks. A win this week could further elevate their position in the league table, getting them closer to third-placed Leicester City.
As for Liverpool, they are yet to register a victory in the Premier League since their 7-0 rout over Crystal Palace in the middle of December. The Reds were recently knocked out of the FA Cup by arch-rivals Manchester United, so the pressure will be immense on Jurgen Klopp as his side looks to keep up with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Leicester City in the title race.
Tottenham Vs Liverpool Tactical Preview
Talking Tactics
Tottenham
Mourinho is likely to persist with his 4-3-3 formation, with Tanguy Ndombele operating in the hybrid number ten/number eight position. His team is also likely to play on the counter, inviting the pressure from the opposition while the onus will be on the attacking duo of Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane to provide the productivity going forward.
Liverpool
Liverpool should mirror Tottenham’s 4-3-3 and are more than likely to have the lion’s share of possession. It could be a challenge for them to infiltrate the Tottenham backline that usually defends in deep block. It will be interesting to see whether the Reds can take advantage of their opposition’s marauding fullbacks and craft a scoring opportunity.
Team News
Tottenham
Mourinho is set to ring in the changes from the side that featured against Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup. The likes of Ndombele, Son and Kane, among many others, are likely to return to the starting eleven. The Lilywhites could also be boosted by the return of Serge Aurier, who is in contention to start at right-back.
Predicted Lineup: Lloris; Aurier, Sanchez, Dier, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Winks, Ndombele; Lucas Moura, Kane, Son
Liverpool
Liverpool have confirmed that their club captain Jordan Henderson is back in contention after missing the last few matches. He is expected to return to the starting eleven alongside Joel Matip, though Jurgen Klopp is still missing out on key players like Virgil van Dijk, Diogo Jota and Joe Gomez due to long-term injuries.
Predited Lineup: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson; Thiago, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Key Men
Tottenham
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could be the most important player for Tottenham in this fixture. The Dane is the ideal answer to Liverpool’s gegenpressing style of play, with the midfielder being particularly impressive in reading the game as well as making important tackles in midfield.
Liverpool
Liverpool, on the other hand, will be relying on the services of Mohamed Salah as they desperately look to find some goals after a difficult period. The Egyptian international, despite his impressive scoring record, has appeared inconsistent this season, so the onus will be on him to penetrate the Spurs backline this midweek.
