The headline fixture of the weekend. Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur. The result of this match is likely to have notable repercussions at the top of the table. Spurs, the frontline team with the pressure of chasing down Chelsea at the top of the table, need to win at all costs while Liverpool desperately need a win or they will risk dropping to the 6th spot and Klopp will know how difficult it is to get back in the mix again if that happens.
The two teams are at the opposite ends of the form spectrum with Liverpool winning just a single match in their last 10 this year and Tottenham Hotspur at the top of the pile as far as this year is concerned.
Let us take a look at the 3 key battles which will determine the outcome of the match between the two heavyweights.
JOEL MATIP VS HARRY KANE
The Liverpool backline has been extremely jittery and Klopp will hope to hit upon a pair of central defenders who can provide stability and calm things down at the back. They are all over the place and are losing the first ball, the second ball and at times even the 3rd ball. Spurs, especially Harry Kane will not need so many chances to score and a minor error will be more than enough for the likes of Kane and Alli. Matip is likely to start and he has to make sure that they are tight and attentive at the back.
JORDAN HENDERSON VS MOUSA DEMBELE
The Belgian, Dembele, has been an absolute powerhouse at the centre of the field. He has broken up attacks at will and it is well known how hard it is to take the ball off him. His forays forward from deep areas unsettle the defence and his dribbling abilities will put top wingers to shame.
His attacking contributions have been important to his team’s cause. And Henderson has to ensure that he is kept at bay. The English international will be tasked with dealing with the late runs of Alli and Dembele and if he can complete even half of that job, it will be a big plus for the Reds.
SADIO MANE VS BEN DAVIES
The Senegalese international hasn’t yet hit his strides after coming back heartbroken from the AFCON but you can trust him to do something special when his team needs it. He has been prolific at home and with Tottenham’s first choice left-back, Rose, unavailable due to injury, Davies will have a tough time against the pace and guile of Mane. It is an area which Klopp will surely target and Liverpool can get the most joy down the right-hand side.
