Premier League leaders Liverpool will be looking to return to winning ways when they host an out-of-form Tottenham on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s title hopefuls dropped their first points of the campaign last weekend in a 1-1 draw at Manchester United, while Tottenham’s miserable form continued as they failed to beat winless Watford at home, battling to a 1-1 stalemate.
It was only a couple of months ago that these sides were competing in the UEFA Champions League final, fighting to be labelled ‘the best team in Europe’. But since Liverpool’s Champions League triumph last season, Klopp’s men are arguably even better, while Mauricio Pochettino’s side are in turmoil.
But as we were reminded last weekend, with Manchester United outplaying the Merseysiders, the Premier League is full of surprizes. So, can Spurs upset the odds and hand Liverpool their first home defeat in the Premier League since losing 2-1 to Crystal Palace on 23 April 2017? Let’s analyse both sides before making a call.
To Win
Liverpool 5/10
Draw 7/2
Tottenham 5/1
Liverpool
Liverpool were left disappointed last weekend as they drew 1-1 with Manchester United at Old Trafford. The result ended the Reds’ 100 percent start to the Premier League season – and their 17-match winning streak – while their lead at the top of the table was cut from eight points to six.
For me, Marcus Rashford’s goal should have been disallowed as the challenge by Victor Lindelof on Divock Origi was clearly a foul. However, performance-wise Liverpool were awful and lucky to preserve their unbeaten start to the season. But you could also say that the fact that Klopp’s men still avoided defeat while playing poorly proves they have what it takes to win the Premier League.
The Reds remain in the driver’s seat in the race for the Premier League title. Klopp’s men have picked up victories against the likes of Arsenal (H), Chelsea (A) 
and Leicester City (H) this season and will be confident of adding Spurs to that list as they’ve won each of their last three meetings against Pochettino’s side.
The Reds completed the league double over the North London side last season – both by 2-1 scorelines – and won 2-0 to win the Champions League at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid. Failure to beat a struggling Tottenham side would start the alarm bells ringing and Klopp will know his side can’t afford many more slip-ups as they look to bring their lengthy wait for the Premier League title to an end.
Liverpool’s winning streak may have ended last weekend, but the Merseysiders are still on a run of 26 consecutive league games without defeat – a run which stretches back to January 2019 when they fell to a 2-1 loss against Manchester City.
Mohamed Salah has often been criticised, but he’s return against Spurs is a huge boost for the Reds. The Egyptian was sorely missed against United and the 27-year-old will want to put in a fine performance and help Liverpool secure a vital win.
Tottenham
Tottenham are in free-fall right now and the fans have become frustrated with the way the side have been playing this season. The North Londoners have won just one of their previous seven games after battling to a 1-1 draw at home to rock-bottom Watford last weekend, with Pochettino’s side needing an 86th minute equaliser from Dele Alli – his first since January – to avoid another embarrassing defeat.
Spurs were in disarray prior to the international break, shipping 10 goals in two games in defeats to Bayern Munich in the Champions League and Brighton in the Premier League. Pochettino is under pressure for the first time in his tenure with some calling for him to go.
Tottenham have enjoyed so much success since Pochettino arrived at the club in 2014 and last season they reached the Champions League final after some incredible results in the competition. But the under-fire Argentine tactician has guided his side to just three wins in the Premier League and has suffered defeats to Brighton, Leicester City and Newcastle.
The North Londoners are in desperate need of a boost, and a positive result against Liverpool could give them the confidence they need. The likes of Alli, Christian Eriksen, Son Heung-min and Harry Kane all need to be at their best.
Probable line-ups:
Liverpool: 4-3-3
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Henderson; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Tottenham: 4-2-2-2
Gazzaniga; Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Ndombele, Winks; Eriksen, Alli; Son, Kane.
Prediction: Matchbet & Both Teams to Score – Liverpool & Yes (15/10)
I can only see one result here and that’s a Liverpool victory. The Reds are dominant at home and after dropping points against United last weekend, I’m backing them to bounce back to winning ways. That said, Klopp’s men have conceded in each of their last four home games in the league, so I think Spurs can get on the scoresheet. My money’s on Liverpool to Win and Both Teams to Score at 15/10.
Chad Nagel
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