Mauricio Pochettino’s impressive Spurs side welcome last season’s title-challenging Liverpool side in the 3rd round of fixtures this season. Recovering from a disappointing visit to the Etihad on Monday night, Rodgers will be expecting his team to set things right against fellow top-4 rivals – Tottenham Hotspur.
Finally hitting their straps, spurs look like the side they strove to be last season. As Rodgers and his players travel to North London, Spurs will look to maintain their perfect start to their campaign.
Tottenham Hotspur
After being handed the Spurs job this summer, Mauricio Pochettino told Spurs fans to judge him on the results his team produces and so far so good. Among only 4 teams to still have a perfect record in the Premier League and being the only team other than Villa yet to concede a goal; Pochettino’s boys are doing their bit as they try to gate-crash the top-4 party yet again.
New signing Eric Dier has slotted right back into English football like a fish to water as he netted twice in as many games since his return from Portugal. While the Liverpool game might come a little bit too early for new signing Federico Fazio; Pochettino might be tempted to try out Ben Davies at left back against the Reds. With Eric Lamela finally looking like the player everyone expected him to be and Adebayor leading the Spurs line with consummate ease; Pochettino will try not to alter the form of his attacking players. The 4-0 mauling of Queens Park Rangers on Harry Redknapp’s return to the White Hart Lane was a sign of the animal that Pochettino wants his Spurs to become. Liverpool must be vary of the treat the North Londoners carry.
Liverpool
While the 3-1 humbling at the hands of defending champions Manchester City was an indication of the gulf in class between last season’s runners up; it would be naive to underestimate a side with the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli leading the attacking lineup. Brendan Rodgers will be looking for a telling performance from each and every one of his players on Sunday at the Lane.
The thought of pairing the 2 centre forwards upfront would be a tempting choice Rodgers’ will have to make. The defence will more or less remain the same with the only forced change being young Javi Manqillo replacing the injured Glen Johnson at right back. Rodgers’ will most likely go in with an unchanged midfield, however, with Lazar Markovic making an instant impact coming off the bench and Mario Balotelli fit and ready, Rodgers has got a decision to make. While Adam Lallana has been ruled fit to make the squad for the weekend, the Spurs game might be a little early for the former Saints captain to make a start. Rodgers’ exciting side is yet to get into their stride but they better be vary of dropping too many points early on in the season as they hit their straps.
Tottenham vs. Liverpool Predicted Line-Ups:
Spurs – Lloris; Dier – Kaboul – Vertonghen – Rose; Capoue – Bentaleb; Lamela – Eriksen – Lennon; Adebayor.
Liverpool – Mignolet; Manquillo – Skrtel – Lovren – Moreno; Henderson – Gerrard – Allen – Sterling; Sturridge – Balotelli.
Tottenham vs. Liverpool Match Facts:
- The Reds’ 5-0 win at White Hart Lane in December last season ended a run of five consecutive Premier League home wins for Spurs against Liverpool.
- Liverpool won six points against Tottenham in the Barclays Premier League last season with an aggregate score of 9-0.
- Liverpool’s defeat at Manchester City last Monday was their first away from home in the Premier League in 2014 (W7 D2 L1).
- Tottenham have won five of their last six Premier League games (L1)
- Liverpool have scored 60 Premier League goals in 2014, seven more than any other side.
- After assisting only one goal in his first 10 PL appearances for Tottenham, Erik Lamela assisted two goals in the space of seven first half minutes vs QPR last weekend.
- Daniel Sturridge has only scored in two of his last eight Premier League games.
- Liverpool have not lost back to back games in the Premier League since December 2013.
Facts compiled from uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
Tottenham vs. Liverpool Prediction:
A 2-1 win for the visitors.