No.5: Missing Main Man
You can make a very good case to say that Toby Alderweireld is the best center back in the Premier League. He has been outstanding since arriving in the Premier League – first at Southampton and now at Tottenham Hotspur.
He was excellent against Liverpool at Wembley in October. It is a huge plus for Liverpool that he will miss Sunday’s game. The Reds have virtually a clean bill of health going into this game. Jordan Henderson successfully returned to the first team on Tuesday against Huddersfield. Albero Moreno will also be ready to feature again.
Spurs have Alderweireld missing and Danny Rose still not fully fit after a year of injuries. Davison Sanchez has been a handy fill in for Alderweireld but is not the same calibre of player. The atmosphere on Sunday will be intense. Tottenham will need every head to be clear and composed. I fancy Liverpool’s chances of rattling Sanchez and the Spurs full backs early.
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If Liverpool can get a hold of the midfield through a combination of either Can, Henderson, Wijnaldum and Oxlade-Chamberlain then I think the Spurs defense can be breached multiple times. Then Liverpool just have to pray it is not ‘one of those’ games with our defense and keeper.