Liverpool host Tottenham Hotspur in a nail-biting Premier League encounter on Sunday evening. Liverpool are in red-hot form while Spurs are in dire straits. Here are the Three Keys to this game. Bet on the game here.
Impressive home form v awful away record
Reigning European champions Liverpool have one of the best home records in Europe. The last time the Reds lost at home in the Premier League is April 2017. Their last home loss came against Chelsea in the League Cup where they lost 2-1. This is impressive. Jurgen Klopp’s side have also beaten Spurs four times in their last six meetings. With Spurs in disarray at the moment, this might be the perfect moment for Liverpool to face them. Can they inflict another defeat on Mauricio Pochettino’s men?
Spurs had a terrific campaign last season. They reached their first-ever Champions League final and finished inside the top four. However, Pochettino’s men have been poor this season. Fans and pundits have concluded that they have gone stale and failure to comprehensively refresh their squad this past summer has come back to haunt them. Generally, they’ve been dismal this season. They have won four out of their 13 matches this season. A 2-1 victory at Craven Cottage against Fulham was their last away win in the league. In their last ten away games in the league, they’ve lost eight. Taking into account the fortress that Anfield is, Spurs’ away form may get worse before it gets better.
Klopp v Pochettino
Klopp has transformed Liverpool into a title challenger both domestically and in Europe. Klopp and Pochettino have faced each other as managers ten times. Klopp has beaten the Argentine five times, drawn four and lost just once so he’ll be heading into this clash in confident mood. Klopp’s biggest win over Pochettino came a few months ago in the Champions League final and he’ll hope to inflict more pain on his opposite number whose teams look like it hasn’t recovered from that humiliating loss in Madrid.
Pochettino is a well-travelled coach. His peak was when he took Spurs to the Champions League final last season. His high-octane philosophy has been successful in the Premier League by Tottenham standards. His poor record at Anfield will also haunt him as he prepares his team to face Liverpool. He can go toe to toe with any manager tactically but can he get a result at Anfield considering he’s never won at that ground?
Liverpool’s front three v Tottenham’s defence
Liverpool’s front three have already scored 12 goals between them this season. Last season, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah finished as the league’s top scorers alongside Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Red’s front three have scored ten goals against Spurs and they are hoping to be in top form at Anfield on Sunday. Liverpool have scored in all their last six matches against Spurs.
Over the past few season Spurs had one of the best defences in the Premier League. Fast-forward to 2019, they have kept just one clean sheet since April. Away from home, they have kept just one clean sheet in 13 league matches a stat which should worry Toby Alderweireld and company. Against Liverpool, they have kept just one clean sheet in 11 games. With first-choice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris injured and most of their defenders underperforming, the encounter with Liverpool will be a huge test of character for them. Can they shut Salah, Mane and Firmino out?