Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool preview
Game : Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool
Venue : White Hart Lane, London
Time : 5.30 pm GMT
Date : November 1, 2008.
After Spurs’ highly entertaining 4-4 draw with Arsenal yesterday night at the Emirates Stadium, Tottenham vs Liverpool is the most awaited fixture of the weekend. Liverpool are the only unbeaten side in the Premiership, but after watching how Spurs clawed their way back, Benitez’s men will be treating their opponents with more respect than they would have if Spurs had lost to Arsenal as expected.
Liverpool did their bit in midweek, beating Portsmouth 1-0. Pompey kept Liverpool at bay till the 75th minute, but an unneccessary handball from Papa Bouba Diop lead to a penalty, which Steven Gerrard duly converted. The Reds maintain their lead at the top, although their performance was not very convincing. However, a hallmark of a good team is to earn points even if it does not play as well as it normally does, and that is precisely what Liverpool did at Anfield on Wednesday night. The game was also Tony Adams’ first game in charge of Portsmouth. Benitez also gave left winger Riera a rest, and started with both Ryan Babel and Jermaine Pennant. Daniel Agger, Xabi Alonso and Robbie Keane were the other players who were excluded from the starting XI against Portsmouth as part of Benitez’s rotation policy.
Spurs have begun well under new manager Harry Redknapp, picking up four points from two games in comparison to two from eight under Juande Ramos. Although they still languish at the bottom of the table, many believe that this could be the start of a revival for the Lilywhites. Spurs have six points, while Liverpool have twenty six. Alan Hutton did not have a very great day in defence against Arsenal, cheaply giving away the fourth goal. We may see Lennon and Bent start. Zokora could return to the starting lineup if Redknapp chooses not to persist with the pairing of Huddlestone and Jenas in midfield.
The corresponding fixture last season was won 2-0 by Liverpool, with Voronin and Torres scoring. Both those men will be absent on Saturday, and I’ll back Spurs to draw 1-1 here. The odds for Spurs have considerably improved after their performance against Arsenal, and if they can repeat it, a draw is quite possible.
