Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool
Date: 28/01/2021
K/O: 20.00
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Referee: Martin Atkinson
TV: BT Sport
Tottenham Hotspur host out-of-sorts Liverpool on Thursday evening looking to exact revenge on their defeat at Anfield earlier in the season.
In that fixture, Roberto Firmino’s late header sent Liverpool clear at the top of the Premier League table. Since that win, Liverpool have won just once in six Premier League matches and are now sinking down the league table like the Titanic. A series of insipid displays at both ends of the pitch have left the Reds reeling, and Thursday’s tricky trip to North London could not come at a much worse time for Jurgen Klopp and his charges.
If they are to get back to winning ways, they will have to go through the notoriously difficult Jose Mourinho. While all the recent talk has been about the Merseysiders, this match still has huge implications for both sides in their respective goals for this season. While defending their league crown would have been priority number one for Klopp this season, he may have to settle for a spot in the top four this campaign. With Spurs sitting just a point and a position below them, Mourinho will be keen to prevent a return to winning ways for Liverpool.
In this fixture last season, it was once again Roberto Firmino who stole all three points for Liverpool as they went on to win 1-0. Spurs certainly had their chances to at least earn a point but were wasteful in front of goal. With no Joe Gomez or Virgil van Dijk, Mourinho can expect even more chances to fall to the likes of Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane.
Team News
Tottenham
Mourinho does not have too many injury problems to contend with. The biggest selection headache for the Portuguese will likely come at centre-back, and deciding between Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderwiereld to partner Eric Dier.
French international Tanguy Ndombele has been in excellent form of late and should continue in attacking midfield. Moussa Sissoko’s physical presence may be preferred to Harry Winks’ panache in the centre of the park.
Liverpool
Joel Matip should be fit enough to partner Fabinho at centre-back, despite missing the 3-2 FA Cup defeat to Manchester United at the weekend. If Jordan Henderson can shake off a minor muscle injury then expect the influential skipper to return to the starting XI alongside Gini Wijnaldum. With much being made of Thiago Alcantara’s poor form, the Spaniard may find himself on the bench for Thursday’s game, with Curtis Jones or James Milner potential deputies.
Predicted Starting XIs
Spurs (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Aurier, Sanchez, Dier, Reguilon; Hojberg, Sissoko; Bergwijn, Ndombele, Son; Kane
Liverpool: (4-3-3) Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Score Prediction: Tottenham 1-1 Liverpool
This will be a tight affair with neither side looking to give too much away. Realistically a draw would not be a terrible result for either side and it wouldn’t surprise me if both managers played for one. However, if Liverpool can re-discover their form, which we all know they are capable of, then this could be the game they spark back into life.
