KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum Liverpool v Spurs - EPL Sun 31 Mar 2019 - KO 4:30PM

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool will monitor full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who withdrew from England duty with a back problem.

Xherdan Shaqiri will also be assessed after missing Switzerland's two games with a groin problem, but this match comes too soon for Joe Gomez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Tottenham are without Eric Dier, who suffered a muscle injury in England's win against the Czech Republic.

Harry Winks remains sidelined but Kieran Trippier is back in contention.

Serge Aurier was forced off after half an hour of Ivory Coast's victory against Rwanda last weekend because of a hamstring problem and is not available.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

@Wilsonfooty: In each of their last two serious tilts at winning the title, Liverpool have faltered at home against opposition from the capital.

In 2009 they drew a tumultuous game 4-4 with Arsenal. Worse was to come in 2014 when they lost to Chelsea - chasing a win they didn't need with the result that they suffered a loss they couldn't afford.

They'll need to be much more calculating if they're to pip Manchester City.

Spurs may have lost five of their past six away games but are on a high at the thought of finally returning home. Mauricio Pochettino deserves huge credit for keeping their curve moving upward despite being effectively homeless for almost two years.

VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on the importance of self-belief within his squad: "Their skills are important. Their attitude and character is important.

"But to believe in something makes it more likely to happen.

"The problem is Man City believe as well! One will be disappointed at the end of the season.

"We will try everything to make [the final day of the season] a big day for us."

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino on whether their new stadium will aid player recruitment and retention: "When five years ago we arrived here, everyone said if you want to attract players you need to play in [the] Champions League - but that was wrong.

"We are still romantic, but not many people are romantic. You must convince people to sign for your club.

"A good point is the new facilities. But there are people around who care more about the business than to work in a good place."

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Liverpool have only lost one of their past 13 league and cup games against Spurs, winning eight of those matches.

Tottenham's only victory in their last 24 league games at Anfield came in May 2011, when Rafael van der Vaart and Luka Modric were on target.

Liverpool

Liverpool have lost just one of eight league matches this season against the other sides in the top six, although four of those encounters have been drawn.

Victory would give them their highest points total at this stage of a top-flight season.

The Merseysiders are unbeaten in 36 Premier League home games, winning 26 and drawing 10.

If the Reds avoid defeat on Sunday they will set the joint-second longest unbeaten run at home in the competition's history, bettered only by Chelsea's 86-match sequence from 2004-2008.

Liverpool have conceded six goals in their five Premier League home games in 2019, as many as they had in their previous 17 at Anfield.

They have won the last four Premier League home fixtures in which they conceded the opening goal - the first side to do so since Chelsea (from 2013 to 2015).

Sadio Mane has scored in each of his past six league games at Anfield, netting eight goals in total.

Mohamed Salah has just one goal in his last 10 games and has failed to score in his last seven appearances, his longest drought since joining Liverpool.

Roberto Firmino has failed to net in eight of his past nine games for the Reds, although he scored twice against Burnley in his most recent match at Anfield.

Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs are without a victory in their last four Premier League games (D1, L3). It is seven years since they last went winless in five top-flight matches within a single season.

Mauricio Pochettino's side have lost five of their last six away matches in all competitions, conceding twice in each of those defeats.

They could lose four consecutive away league fixtures for the first time since December 2008 to January 2009 under Harry Redknapp.

Tottenham have lost five of their eight league games this season against the other sides in the top six (W2, D1, L5), keeping just one clean sheet.

Spurs have earned 33 points away from home this season - one shy of their Premier League record tally.

Harry Kane has 11 goals in his last 12 Tottenham appearances in all competitions, and he has scored in three of his four Premier League appearances at Anfield.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47682978

Lawro's Premier League prediction v legendary guitarist Johnny Marr



Liverpool's title credentials will be tested on Sunday by a Tottenham team looking to turn around their slump in form.

Spurs head for Anfield having taken only one point from their past four Premier League games, suffering three successive defeats on the road.

BBC football expert Mark Lawrenson said: "I think Liverpool will win, but I would back Spurs to hang on in the top four. They are due to play their first game at their new stadium on Wednesday and that will give them a big lift between now and the end of the season."

Liverpool v Tottenham (16:30 BST)

People are still saying that Liverpool are not playing particularly well but they have not lost any of their past 10 league games and they are in a very good position.

It doesn't really matter how well they play now anyway, because winning is all that matters for Jurgen Klopp's side.

There is always the chance that Spurs will throw a spanner in the works of course, and last season they nicked a point at Anfield with a controversial last-gasp penalty.

Tottenham's away form is still the second-best in the Premier League, even after losing their previous three games on the road, and of course they are dangerous.

But Liverpool's eyes are on the prize now. They know how big this game is, and I think they will get the result they need.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1

Johnny's prediction: 2-1

Paul Merson's Premier League prediction: Liverpool to keep pace at the top

Liverpool v Tottenham (Sunday from 4.15pm on Sky Sports Premier League; Kick-off 4.30pm)

The pressure is going to be on Liverpool, draws are no good with Manchester City in front. It's going to be a tight, entertaining game with Liverpool needing to win adding another layer - if Liverpool are drawing with 20 minutes to go they have to go for it. But I think they will get the job done, cranking up the pressure on Spurs in the race for the top four.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1

As fixtures go this is the hardest on paper for Liverpool in their remaining 7 games. Liverpool will be desperate not to drop any more points on the run in, it's vital they keep turning the screws on City because their unprecedented quadruple attempt will be a huge psychological drain on them. Liverpool don't want to make the PL a foregone conclusion for City, enabling them to coast to the PL title and them seeing the CL as their hardest comp left.

The fans have got to treat this game and every other home game left as Cup Finals and get behind the team right throughout the game. A key stat we want to avoid at ALL costs:-
"In each of their last two serious tilts at winning the title, Liverpool have faltered at home against opposition from the capital".

This fixture has come at a good time for Spurs who were in freefall prior to the International break. The pressure is also off on Poch and his future after Utd giving the job to Ole on a full time basis.

If Liverpool can win this game convincingly and eat away at that +8 GD cushion that City currently have it throws the pressure back on City. Another draw for Liverpool effectively hands the title to City with the current GD having some significance. It will also project some pressure onto Spurs Top 4 hopes and them prioritizing which comp to give their all, with 3 games v City coming up in an 11 day period.

I'm not going to make a prediction here because I really don't have a clue what happens today. I just hope we give a good account of ourselves and Klopp goes for it, from now until the end of the season and not have them playing ultra conservative football because that will be our downfall come the end of the season.

Come On Redmen!

I'm going for 3 - 0, a good win and a clean sheet, to put the wind up the City slickers! So it's going to be;

Roast Stuffed Cockerel

When the Cockerel hears the Liverbird roar,
Will his cock-a-doodle wilt?
And will she knock in for three or four,
To feather her title tilt?

For the Liverbird has his tactics sussed,
Her defence is set and steady!
And he'll be plucked and stuffed and trussed.
And deliciously oven ready!

Hopefully we keep it interesting for another week with a win. Mo needs to get on his scoring bike again aswell.

Everyone needs to have a good game today. Midfield needs to be spot on. Erikson is too dangerous to let loose. Son needs a good kick at the start of the game.

Salah..... Which one do we get today? He's either outstanding or garbage. No in-between lately

That's a bit harsh. he may not be on top e form himself in terms of finishing... but he ditsracts defenders and creates space which Mane and others can them exploit.

Here's the confirmed team and match thread

http://www.koptalk.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/620262.html