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| OPPONENTS | Liverpool |
| COMPETITION | Premier League |
| DATE | Sunday 30th March 2014 |
| VENUE | Anfield |
| PREVIEW
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Tottenham travel to Liverpool to face
one of the form teams in the Premier League. With the strike
partnership of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, the goal threat is
one which will test the resoluteness of the Spurs back four, with
other areas of the team needing to show some steel to keep the Reds
at bay. Spurs could be without Emmanuel Adebayor, but if replaced by Roberto Soldado, there would only be one striker playing, which would give the home team scope to push their full backs on. While the 4-2-3-1 formation might make the side look more solid, by inviting Liverpool to enter the Spurs half, they have the players and movement to unpick our defence, with the midfielders needing to put in good shifts up and down the pitch to make sure that the ball does not keep coming straight back when it is cleared. Strangely, The Liverpool defence has looked vulnerable and any team that concedes three against Cardiff can’t have a great back four. Mingolet had a very good season last time out, but, this season, he has not been at his best, but as always, we need to put keepers under pressure by getting shots on target. It showed what happens when you do that when we got back to 3-2 against Southampton. Skrtel and Agger are the main central defensive pairing, with Skrtel being a liability, as he shirt-pulls and loses concentration, but Agger is a steadier presence. Mamadou Sakho is a strong central defender, who has been sparingly, but did feature in their last game against Sunderland, while Martin Kelly was a bright prospect, although he has slipped back in the reckoning since Rodgers took over as manager. The full backs had an easy time in the game at the Lane, but Glen Johnson and John Flanagan need to be run at to put them on the back foot, The fact that we were down to ten men helped Flanagan get up to score, so Tottenham need to ensure that he doesn’t get that far forward again. Aly Sissoko is another option at right back for Liverpool, with Jose Enrique out injured long term and veteran own goal scorer Kolo Toure available to cover in the middle of defence. While the two strikers are grabbing all the glory with the large number of goals taking them to the top of the goal-scorers’ chart, there is little in reserve for Liverpool in that part of the side. Borini is on loan at Sunderland, Adam Morgan has been sold and Iago Aspas has not proven the inspired buy that Rodgers had hoped. This leaves a large burden of back-up goal-scoring to the midfield. Steven Gerrard gets his share, but mainly through penalties and free-kicks these days, as his legs are going, but Jordan Henderson has pushed further forward to get in the box more and is contributing goals to add to his game, which has improved since his move from Sunderland. Raheem Sterling has been phased into the side and has responded with some good displays, especially against Spurs earlier this season, when he ran Naughton ragged. He still sometimes lacks the killer pass with his final ball, but he has had a few assists this season to add to his goal tally. Philippe Coutinho has the ability to take people on and slip passes through to the front two, so is a player who can be elusive and will need picking up and team-mate Joe Allen has a similar ability, but he has not been as much of a mainstay in the side compared to when he was at Swansea. It would not be a surprise if Sherwood put Bentaleb in the midfield three, but his inexperience has been exposed against the top teams and a more pragmatic and play players with more top class quality, while giving the youngster a much needed rest. The way Liverpool are playing and the fact that they have handed out big defeats to other top six sides (and Manchester United), the result will probably go their way, even if Tottenham manage to cut out the mistakes which have seen us concede in recent weeks. Liverpool 2 Tottenham 0 |
| PREDICTION | Liverpool 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0 |
| Click here for more info on opponents - stats v thfc , an alternative history, etc. | |
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TOTTENHAM
HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : Emmanuel Adebayor is a doubt for Sunday's match at Anfield, with a cut heel, but Erik Lamela (back) and Etienne Capoue (ankle) are definitely out. Kyle Walker may miss out again at right back with his pelvic problem, while Mousa Dembele will be available in midfield. |
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LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS : Apart from long term knee injury victim Jose Enrique, Liverpool have no other injury problems. |
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COVERAGE :
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