Liverpool will face off against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening hoping to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League standings. However, an injury-hit Spurs team could prove to be a tricky test for them if they get complacent on the road. We can expect an open game with both sides going all out in search of the three points.
Talking Tactics
Jose Mourinho might be inclined to opt for a 3-5-2 formation as he looks to tactically outclass the Merseyside outfit in front of the home supporters. The Portuguese head coach will instruct his players to hold a deep defensive line and hit Liverpool on the break using the pace of Lucas Moura and Heung-min Son.
Jurgen Klopp will stick with his favoured 4-3-3 formation and will be forced to name a strong side for this clash at North London. We can expect the Reds to press high up the pitch so that they can win the ball back quickly and pin Spurs inside their own half.
Team News
Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Kane will be out of action till April after sustaining a serious injury earlier this month. Hugo Lloris, Moussa Sissoko and Danny Rose are the other long-term absentees. Mourinho will be sweating on the fitness of Tanguy Ndombele and Kyle Walker-Peters ahead of this contest against the European champions.
Tottenham Hotspur Predicted XI
Gazzaniga, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Aurier, Lo Celso, Dier, Alli, Sessegnon, Moura, Son
Liverpool
Naby Keita, James Milner and Xherdan Shaqiri are all major doubts for this game and are unlikely to recover in time for this clash versus Mourinho’s men. Dejan Lovren, Fabinho and Joel Matip remain long-term casualties for the Reds.
Liverpool Predicted XI
Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Lallana, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Mane
Key Men
Tottenham Hotspur
Heung-min Son will be Mourinho’s best weapon going forward in the absence of Kane. The South Korean needs to have a good game if Spurs are to stand any chance of claiming a result this weekend. Paulo Gazzaniga is expected to have a busy game in between the sticks so he will be required to pull off some vital stops at the back so that Tottenham can stay in the contest. Dele Alli might also fancy his chances of keeping his good goal-scoring form going under Mourinho’s stewardship.
Liverpool
Virgil Van Dijk will be instructed to maintain a high line and keep Son and Lucas Moura’s threat in check when the Reds travel to the English capital. Sadio Mane has been a rich vein of form for the Merseyside giants in recent weeks, so he is likely to make the difference in this away encounter this weekend.
Odds
The bookmakers have made Liverpool the favourites to emerge victorious at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday as they are priced at 7/10. The draw has been listed as 7/2 while Spurs are 19/5 underdogs to pull off an upset versus the Premier League leaders.
