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Writer's picturePeter Ellis

TOTTENHAM VS LIVERPOOL: MATCH PREVIEW


Credit: [Cartilage Free Captain]

The Reds travel to Wembley Stadium this Saturday as Tottenham look to bounce back from the loss to Watford before the international break.


The lunchtime game was due to be the grand reopening of Spurs' home stadium, White Hart Lane, but unfortunate setbacks have pushed the date back.


Liverpool are now one of only three teams in the Premier League to still retain a 100% win record four games into the season.


However, Jurgen Klopp has a dreadful record at Wembley, having lost on all three occasions his teams have played there, including the 4-1 defeat to Spurs last season when Dejan Lovren was embarrassingly subbed off in the first twenty minutes.


Since then, Liverpool have gone on to concede the least amount of goals in the Premier League, as well as keeping the most clean sheets.


Their starting eleven is looking fairly set in stone, with Jurgen Klopp opting to utilise a 4-3-3.


Alisson Becker is set to start in net. With Lovren still out through injury, the young Joe Gomez will partnet Virgil Van Dijk at centre back, the pair only conceding one goal so far in 360 minutes of football so far this season.


Trent Alexander-Arnold isn't likely to be budged from fullback and neither is flying Scotsman, Andy Robertson.


The front three, while yet to hit their best form, are unlikely to change. Expect league joint-top goal scorer Sadio Mané as well as Egyptian talisman Mohamed Salah to flank Roberto Firmino.


The midfield remains the area of most contention for the Liverpool team. So far James Milner and Naby Keita have been the mainstays, with Wijnaldum shoring things up in at the number six role.


However, for such a key fixture, it is likely Klopp will opt to take Liverpool captain, Jordan Henderson, instead.


There is also the possibility that Fabinho could make his first league appearance for the club, though it remains to be seen whether the manager is fancying dropping the Brazillian in at the deep end with such a tough run of fixtures coming up.


Spurs manager Pochettino is faced with a huge selection problem for the fixture.


Club captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris pleaded guilty to drink-driving offences yesterday, but it's also anticipated that he could be out for several weeks with a thigh injury. It is most likely that Michel Vorm will take his place.


It's likely there will be no changes in personnel in defence, so Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez will all feature.


There's no doubt he'll be sweating over the fitness of Dele Alli, Moussa Sissoko and Erik Lamela, all of which have minor injuries at this time.


There are rumours that Poch could deploy a 3-5-2 against the Reds, and chance Alli in a midfield trio with Eric Dier and Christian Eriksen.


Kieran Trippier looks set to retain his position at right wing-back, whereas it's expected that Ben Davies is going to get the nod at left wing-back over Danny Rose.


Despite several calls that he should be rested, it's incredibly likely England international Harry Kane will lead the front line as a striker.


Due to the amount of injuries in the substitutes, it looks like Lucas Moura will be getting another go up front alongside the Englishman.


Despite having some of the best defenders in the league and the technical home advantage, I feel that Spurs are going to struggle against the tenacity of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side.


They've got a much stronger squad overall as it stands and there's no doubt they'll want to get their own back after the heavy 4-1 defeat at Wembley last season.


With all the majority of their main players at peak fitness, it makes me feel like they'll be able to edge Tottenham this time.


Expect a blistering game. As of the time of writing, Bet365 have Tottenham to win at 2/1, the visiting Reds at 6/5 and a draw currently at 5/2.


We'll have the latest news on the players as it happens, as well as a post-match report to go live shortly after the final whistle.

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