Premier League: Another Big Test for Spurs’ Under-Fire Stars

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur

It’s been a turbulent week in North London. While Arsenal’s title challenge appears to be quietly fizzling out, the Gunners’ rivals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would like to get out of the limelight.

Spurs hit the headlines last week for all the wrong reasons, losing 6-1 away to Newcastle in what was billed a battle for a Champions League spot; but the big game next Sunday,

Premier League: Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur, looks like it might be a scuffle for Europa League places, though Jurgen Klopp’s Reds haven’t yet given up on a top four berth.

At the time of writing this is a sixth versus seventh clash with both teams on 53 points from 32 matches; though Spurs host Manchester United on Thursday night and could climb back to fifth with a victory. But the Red Devils will be buoyed by their FA Cup semi-final win over Brighton and will provide stiff competition for the Whites. And, at SBOTOP odds of 2.20 to escape Anfield with either a win or draw on Sunday, this is a very tough four days for the North Londoners.

Talking Points

Salah vs Kane

With 16 goals in this Premier League season Liverpool’s main man Mo Salah is the fourth top scorer, behind Brentford’s Ivan Toney on 19, Harry Kane on 24 and, of course, Erling Haaland on 33.

Salah and Kane have been the two of the most consistently prolific strikers in the Premier League, alongside former Manchester City star Sergio Aguero. Salah has scored 134 goals in 211 games for the Reds and won three Premier League Golden Boots. In the other corner, Kane has scored 207 goals in 311 appearances and has become the third highest goal scorer of all time.

But, while Kane is in front of this particular race there is a crucial difference.

Mo Salah has won a Premier League medal, a Champions League medal, an FA Cup winner medal and another for the Carabao Cup, while Kane has never lifted a major trophy or collected a medal.

That must be hard to take for one of the best strikers on the planet and, at 29 years of age, the speculation around Kane’s future is about to resurface in the close season.

I don’t expect the Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur highlights to be a case of attack versus defence, but Spurs will play on the break while the Reds will take the game to their visitors and I think it will be Salah who adds to his tally.

Liverpool gathering momentum

Goals from Gakpo and Matip give Liverpool three points vs West Ham in the Premier League — Cody Gakpo celebrates scoring Liverpool’s first goal with teammates

A 2-1 victory away to in-form West Ham on Wednesday made it three wins on the bounce for Liverpool. Klopp’s side had luck on their side as the Hammers had a huge penalty claim turned down when Thiago handled; and then Jarrod Bowen was denied a goal by VAR. Both teams have hit a good run of form recently and West Ham started strongly when Lucas Paqueta fired home a long range opener. But Cody Gakpo replied with his own superb strike from distance before Joel Matip headed home the winner.

Sometimes you make your own luck and Liverpool have been on the front foot for a few weeks now. They came back a two goal deficit to draw with leaders Arsenal, before slapping Leeds United 6-1 and beating a battling Nottingham Forest 3-2. It may be too little too late but Klopp’s side is on the march.

Could it get worse for Tottenham?

There is no such encouragement for Spurs who are in serious danger of dropping out of European contention altogether and, following the humiliation in Newcastle they made another change at the helm after parting company with Antonio Conte only a month ago. After sacking interim coach Cristian Stellini on Sunday night the Tottenham Hotspur board put 31 year old Ryan Mason in charge, and he has a tough few weeks ahead of him.

There is no denying Tottenham have struggled without the injured Rodrigo Bentancur, who struck up a superb midfield partnership with Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg and Mason must work out how his team can deny Liverpool the space to operate. Hojbjerg’s battle with Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson will be key.

The Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur betting odds say things are going to get worse before they get better and, with former manager Mauricio Pochettino seemingly inching closer to becoming Chelsea boss, this is not an easy time to be a Spurs fan.

History

Liverpool have won exactly half of their 64 encounters with Tottenham in the Premier League era, including a 2-1 win at the home of Spurs in November.

The Reds are unbeaten at home to Tottenham in their last 12 Anfield meetings and, despite their stuttering campaign they have been strong at home again this season with ten wins, four draws and a single defeat.