This Sunday sees the start of three straight home games for Liverpool after a four-game winning streak. With just six games left on the Reds Premier League fixture list, the maximum points total they can accrue is just 71 points. As it stands, 60 points are held by our primary target, Manchester United, who represent the most viable candidate for that last Champions League spot. If the Reds were to record a 100% win record till this season’s close, they would still need the Red Devils or Newcastle United to completely collapse. This is becoming highly unlikely, despite Spurs holding United to a 2-2 draw on Thursday evening.
With regards to Tottenham, they are rivaling Chelsea for the calamity they currently find themselves in. The dismissal of Antonio Conte was inevitable, yet the aftermath has seen them fall into total disarray. With a stream of bad performances, it is remarkable how much of a mess so many elite teams are in right now. On the back of that 2-2 Draw in Manchester, a 6-1 away loss to Newcastle, and a 2-3 home defeat against struggling Bournemouth, they come into this game scrambling for points. With 54 points taken from their 33 games played, they are placed precariously in 5th place in the Premier League.
In terms of injuries, the Spurs will be missing Emerson Leite de Souza Junior, Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Ryan Sessegnon. Hugo Lloris sustained an injury against Newcastle, so is a doubt for this game.
The starting lineup will see Fraser Forster remain in goal, behind a back three of Cristian Romero, Eric Dier, and Clement Lenglet. The wing-back positions will likely house Ivan Perišić and Pedro Porro. The middle ground will consist of Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Oliver Skipp, with a front three comprised of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, and Dejan Kulusevski.
Liverpool come into this game on the back of a 1-2 away win against West Ham, following a 3-2 home win against Nottingham Forest and the 1-6 destruction of Leeds at Elland Road. That goal-laden win came after a 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal. The Reds will need to continue with this winning form, with Aston Villa and Tottenham all on similar totals. The Reds have accrued only 53 points from their own 32 games played.
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In terms of the Liverpool injuries, Calvin Ramsay, and Stefan Bajčetić are definitely out, whilst Naby Keïta is only just returning to full training. Roberto Firmino is out for an undisclosed period of time, whereas Ibrahima Konaté is a continuing short-term doubt for selection.
Alisson Becker will start in goal, with Virgil and Joël Matip retaining their places in central defense. Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander Arnold should start at fullback, with the right back given more license to exploit space. Fabinho and Thiago should start this game, with Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott or Jordan Henderson, starting alongside them. With the Spaniard almost certainly being recalled for this game, it should see a more solidified system utilised. The attack is surely set to see some rotation, with a busy two-week schedule. Darwin and Luis Díaz will be hoping to come into this game, though the manager seems reluctant to make too many changes.
With Tottenham making a comeback at Old Trafford on Thursday night, they will be hoping for a continuing and sustainable resurgence. This game is what contested the Champions League Final only a few years ago, though now represents the moment where at least one will no longer be in the fight for next season’s qualification.
Player to watch – Darwin Núñez
Score Prediction;
Liverpool 3 – 1 Tottenham
