Liverpool are in poor form and Tottenham are in top form. Saturday will be a true test of the Reds resolve, talent, and tactics.
Matchday twenty-five brings a high-powered match between Liverpool and Tottenham at Anfield. Liverpool currently have dropped to fifth place in the table and are on the verge of not qualifying for any European competition next year. While, Tottenham are well positioned in second place, just nine points behind Chelsea.
Liverpool Analysis
Liverpool are coming off another deflating loss last week 2-0 to Hull City. This continues the Reds slide, not having won their last five Premier League matches. Liverpool are in a very different place from where they want to be, Klopp said, “We don’t look for excuses, we look for solutions. Just cause you aren’t flying, it doesn’t mean you can’t win the next game.”
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Klopp knows that his side can play better, but will they? He needs his players to produce a solid performance. This match is one that both teams are chasing some sort of victory, a title shot for Tottenham and the hope of a Champions League spot for Liverpool.
Liverpool need to score goals and not concede goals, something that has plagued them over the past month. The Reds will find that Tottenham’s defense is a strength and their own defense leaves a lot to be desired. Hopefully, Klopp has addressed these issues tactically this week in training and fans will see a re-energized Liverpool side.
Can’t Keep A Keeper
If that wasn’t enough, the keeper situation is back up for debate. Reports say that Loris Karius is likely to be recalled to takeover between the posts for Mignolet. Mignolet has had his highs and lows this season but has ultimately been a below average keeper, especially in comparison to the rest of the Premier League.
Mignolet has made some high-profile errors against Chelsea and Hull, according to David Maddock. Forcing Klopp to reconsider him and is now ready to give Karius another chance… hastening Mignolet’s departure from Anfield. This may also be Klopp’s idea of making way for a Joe Hart buy in the summer.
Klopp obviously believes Karius is a strong keeper because during his time with Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga, Karius held the reputation of being a shot stopper. This is why Kloop brought him in over last summer.
Overall, Liverpool must bounce back with a decisive win this Saturday at Anfield!
Know Your Enemy: Tottenham
Meanwhile, Tottenham are unbeaten in nine Premier League games and currently sit second place, just nine points back from the seemingly invincible Chelsea. Spurs have been on somewhat of a hot-streak over their last eight Premier League matches. Holding a record of 6-2-0, including defeating Chelsea 2-0 at White Hart Lane.
BUT this Saturday Spurs travel to Anfield which is usually this is a strength for the Reds. Spurs are especially vulnerable when it comes to Anfield, losing 15 of their last 24 matches in the Premier League at Anfield, and when they don’t lose, they usually draw.
Tottenham have made a lot of progress since the beginning of the season but they have not won a match against the top six clubs away from White Hart Lane. Their biggest losses have come at Chelsea and Manchester United, then drawing at Manchester City and Arsenal. Not something to be proud of Spurs.
Overall, Spurs are already a long-shot at best for the title and they believe there is still hope for a So they will arrive at Anfield motivated to not drop points to Liverpool because it will most certainly concede the title race to Chelsea.
Starting XI
Karius
Clyne, Kalvan, Matip, Milner
Lallana, Henderson, Wjnaldum
Mane, Firmino, Coutinho
Injury Concerns: Lallana on Thursday did not train Melwood, but Klopp is hopeful he will start. The back-line has some issues: Lovern looks to have some sort of knock and might be unavailable. Klavan missed some training but will be back in full on Friday, another wait and see situation.
Predictions
This is undoubtedly a difficult match to predict and may certainly go in-favor of Spurs. An early prediction of mine was Liverpool 1, Tottenham 2. It depends on Liverpool’s creativity to score goals and being firm on defense. That being said, I believe the extra rest and training will prove to be beneficial to the Reds and Klopp will have his side motivated! Sky Sports Paul Merson reports that Saturday’s match will be a 1-1 draw. I agree, but I think more goals will be scored by these two high-powered sides.
Liverpool 2 – 2 Tottenham
LIV Goals: Mane, Coutinho
TOT Goals: Alli, Kane
How to Watch
Saturday, February 11 – 12:30 ET / 17:30 GMT
TV: NBC, NBC Universo, NBC Sports App, DIRECTV NOW and Sling Blue
All statistical information from Squawka.com