Totthenham haven’t really hit top gear just yet this season. Spurs needed to come from behind to draw 1-1 with Everton, and had to wait until the 82nd minute to defeat Crystal Palace 1-0 at home despite grabbing 57 percent of possession and outshooting the Eagles, 20-10.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino experimented with his formation a bit against Crystal Palace. He started new signing Vincent Janssen up front, with star striker Harry Kane playing just behind. Janssen had a couple of very good chances on goal, but his finishing let him down. Janssen’s apparent lack of sharpness in front of goal could see Dele Alli return to the lineup against Liverpool, and Kane pushed back up top.
With Liverpool’s defense still looking a bit shaky – defensive midfield and left-back are particularly glaring question marks – look for Spurs to get their share of chances on goal. Liverpool also struggled playing from the back in their shock loss to Burnley. Tottenham’s excellent press should be able to cause similar problems and force the Reds back line into more costly errors.
Meanwhile, the Spurs defense figures to be the best unit on either team in this matchup even with the absence of first-choice goalie Hugo Lloris. The back four has remained very solid in large part due to continuity. And in front of them, Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama have quickly formed a strong defensive midfield partnership.
All the good will gained from Liverpool’s big 4-3 opening game win over Arsenal quickly eroded after they were stunned 2-0 by lowly Burnley. Despite a mind-boggling 80 percent possession and 26 total shots, Liverpool’s attack was somehow unable to create more clear-cut goalscoring opportunities. Of those 26 shots, just five were on target.
In response, manager Jurgen Klopp fielded a nearly full-strength side in the EFL Cup against Burton and recorded a morale-boosting 5-0. Sadio Mane, who missed out of the Burnley game with a shoulder injury, was outstanding as he had a hand in four of the team’s goals. Meanwhile, Daniel Sturridge scored his first two goals of the season.
Liverpool’s attack should be much improved with the return of Mane, whose speed and trickery were sorely missed at Burnley. Mane has arguably been the team’s standout performer in this young season. Aside from his two assists against Burton, he also scored a wonderful goal in their win over Arsenal.
However, the team’s defense remains shaky. Joel Matip, who got the start against Burton, could come in to replace Ragnar Klavan, but James Milner remains a potential liability at left-back. Meanwhile, Emre Can is an injury doubt and might not be able to provide Liverpool the defensive steel they’ve been missing in midfield.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last seven meetings against Spurs, although they did draw both meetings last season under Klopp, which snapped a streak of five consecutive wins.
Writer’s Prediction
Spurs exploit Liverpool’s weaknesses and score a 2-1 home win (+124).
