Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur: Rested Salah & Firmino set to rout Spurs
By David Gate
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp rested Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah for Saturday’s game with Tottenham Hotspur because of the pair’s record against Spurs.
If you ask most Liverpool fans who has been the best forward at the club this season almost everyone would say ‘Sadio Mane‘. However, Jurgen Klopp chose to rest Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah instead last weekend because of their record against Tottenham Hotspur, their next opponents.
Mane was included in the substitutes for Sunday’s 1-0 FA Cup victory over Everton. Although he didn’t make appearance, he was ready to be called on if necessary. The manager wanted Firmino and Salah to have those extra three days rest.
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In the Reds’ last six games against Spurs, that pair have scored seven of the eleven goals the side have put past the North Londoners. Whereas, Mane has not scored against them for three years – a brace in two minutes as Anfield, when he was playing on the right wing and before Salah arrived.
Toby Alderweireld has scored more goals for Liverpool in this matchup than the Senegalese forward in recent years!
Salah has terrorized the Spurs left backs – Ben Davies and Danny Rose. It will be interesting to see if Jose Mourinho continues with Ryan Sessegnon at full back or if they will shift Jan Vertonghen over. There is a big chance they play with five at the back and pray for a draw.
After a hectic Christmas period, the nine day gap between Premier League games is going to be very welcome for most of the first team. Joe Gomez is the only player from the weekend’s win expected to start at Tottenham Hotspur.
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Obviously Mane will start and, in his current form, could well bag a goal. But my money will be Salah and Firmino to be the ones who open up Spurs. And if they don’t, there is always Divock Origi from the bench. You may remember the last goal he scored against Tottenham!