Liverpool v Tottenham: Spurs to be challenged in Anfield firefight

Kevin Hatchard
31 March 2016

Mauricio Pochettino and Spurs face a huge task on Saturday night

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Tottenham's title credentials will be put to the test in the Saturday teatime clash at Anfield, and Kevin Hatchard believes we could be in for a thrilling encounter...

"Spurs have scored at least twice in eight of their last ten Premier League games, and five of the last six meetings between these teams have featured at least three goals."

Back Over 2.5 Goals at 2.021/1

Liverpool v Tottenham
Saturday, 17:30
Live on Sky Sports 1

Liverpool

If ever there was a sign that Jurgen Klopp can only do so much with his current squad, it was the bizarre collapse at Southampton in Liverpool's most recent Premier League outing. The Reds led 2-0 at half-time, but the decision to bring on Martin Skrtel for Dejan Lovren at the heart of defence proved utterly disastrous. Skrtel had the look of a man who had won a half-time raffle which entitled him to have a crack at top-flight football, and having given away a penalty (which was saved), he was part of a Liverpool rearguard that spectacularly imploded in a 3-2 defeat.

Not only has that St Mary's horror show underlined Liverpool's weaknesses at goalkeeper and centre-back, but it has also blown a sizeable hole in their bid to finish in the top four. Klopp's men are seven points off fourth with a game in hand, and as such they have no margin for error. They are trading at a hefty 12.011/1 in the Top 4 Finish market. The Europa League remains Liverpool's best route to Champions League qualification (the winners get a place), and a mouthwatering quarter-final against Klopp's old club Borussia Dortmund awaits.

The gut-wrenching thing for Liverpool fans about the Southampton defeat was that it stopped what had been an excellent run of results. It was Liverpool's first defeat inside 90 minutes since a 2-0 reverse at league leaders Leicester City in early February, a sequence that included the contemptuous dismissal of Manchester United in the Europa League. Indeed, Klopp has overseen just five losses inside 90 minutes in the last 20 outings.

Some of Liverpool's attacking players have started to really click (fans of Christian Benteke needn't read this bit if it'll upset them). The supremely talented Philippe Coutinho has scored three goals in his last six games, Daniel Sturridge has netted twice in his last four appearances, and Roberto Firmino has found the net three times in his last four outings.

Tottenham

I know a fair few Spurs fans, and almost all of them have developed an innate belief that their beloved club are only ever moments from disaster. Numerous heroic failures to squeeze into the top four have reinforced that feeling, but as things stand, the Lilywhites are genuine Premier League title contenders with just seven games to go. Heading into this weekend, Mauricio Pochettino's side are five points off top spot, and they are 4.47/2 in the 2015/16 Winner market.

Pochettino must have had his heart in his mouth during the international break, as so many of his key players were on duty, especially in the England set-up. As it turned out, most of them have returned perfectly hale (you could say Tottenham Hale), and brimming with confidence.

Wunderkind Dele Alli was outstanding (I'm still not convinced he's actually human), Eric Dier scored a last-gasp winner against Germany in Berlin that he will never forget, Harry Kane scored a stunning goal in the same match, and full-backs Danny Rose and Kyle Walker did their Euro 2016 prospects no harm at all. At time of writing, all five players are fit and well. There are, however, doubts over Toby Alderweireld (illness) and Erik Lamela (strain, long flight).

Of the seven games that Spurs have left, this looks to be one of the hardest, especially give the north Londoners' awful recent record against Liverpool. Spurs have lost five of their last six games against the Reds, and they haven't won at Anfield for nearly five years. They've also had some absolute pastings in that sequence, losing 3-0, 4-0 and 5-0.

Match Odds

Liverpool have only won one of their last four Premier League home games, but that run is slightly misleading. A 1-0 defeat to Manchester United was harsh, and inspired by a wonderful display by visiting keeper David De Gea. A 2-2 draw with Sunderland featured a late collapse against a backdrop of a mass walkout by protesting fans, and Liverpool twice led in a 3-3 draw with Arsenal. Despite a patchy set of results, I would say Liverpool have generally played well at home since Klopp took the reins, and comprehensive recent wins over Manchester City and Manchester United were signs of what they are capable of.

Spurs have only lost one of their last ten league games, and they have won four of their last five Premier League road matches, so there's no doubt that Pochettino's young side are dealing with the pressure of the title race. That said, Spurs have taken just one point off Liverpool since the Argentinian took charge, a goalless draw in Klopp's first game in charge back in October.

This is a really tight call, but the form of Liverpool's forward players and the recent displays against the Manchester clubs are pushing me towards backing the hosts Draw No Bet at 1.855/6.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

The last meeting between these two at Anfield was one of the best games I've seen in the past couple of seasons. Liverpool won 3-2 in a game played at a relentlessly high tempo. Even though this campaign's reverse fixture was a goalless draw, it was played at a breathless pace, as both managers insist on using an intense pressing style. With that type of football, chances are often created from opposition mistakes, and games can become stretched quite quickly.

Liverpool have scored at least twice in four of their last five games, and four of their last six Premier League matches at Anfield have seen an overs bet land. Spurs have drawn a blank in just one of their last ten league games, and they've netted at least twice in eight of those matches.

With the likes of Sturridge, Coutinho, Kane and Alli all potentially in action, it's hard to see defences dominating, so I'm happy to back overs at 2.021/1.

To Score

Given his recent form, Coutinho seems overpriced to find the net at 3.711/4. On the Spurs side of things, Kane has scored six goals in his last six games for club and country, and he netted in this fixture last season. He's also worth a look at 2.568/5.

Recommended Bets
Back Over 2.5 Goals at 2.021/1
Back Liverpool (Draw No Bet) at 1.855/6
Back Philippe Coutinho 3.711/4 and Harry Kane 2.568/5 to score (0.5 points each)

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