After the Carabao Cup in midweek, Liverpool travel to Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday in what will be their third game in seven days.
The Reds have started the Premier League season better than anyone could have expected – they have won five of six matches and remain unbeaten behind only Manchester City in the table.
The likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle have scored impressive wins, but the trip to Tottenham may be Jurgen Klopp’s toughest challenge yet in the 2023/24 season.
Spurs have also started the new campaign in good form and appear to be enjoying life under Liverpool fan Ange Postecoglou.
Despite a generally tense campaign, Klopp’s side won in 2022/23. home and away to Tottenham. If they get another win on Saturday, it could be real intent from this rejuvenated team.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game.
HEAD-TO-HEAD REGISTRATION
In competitions, Liverpool have faced Tottenham a total of 181 times since the first meeting in 1909 (Spurs won 1-0).
The Reds won 89 times, played 44 times and lost 48 times.
Liverpool’s recent form against Spurs is very good. Klopp’s side haven’t lost a single against Tottenham since a memorably disastrous 4-1 defeat in 2017 and have won nine of 12 games since then – including, of course, the 2019 Champions League final.
Liverpool beat Spurs home and away last season, winning 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur in November, while the Anfield fixture is best remembered for Diogo Jota’s dramatic stoppage-time 4-3 winner.
WHERE TO WATCH LIVERPOOL VS LEICESTER on TV
Following Liverpool’s head-to-head matches that could not be watched live outside the stadium, UK viewers can watch Spurs on Sky Sports’ Main Event.
In Europe, the game is available on DAZN.
US viewers can watch the game on USA Network or stream via FuboTV. LIVERPOOL ACCOUNT NEWS
Liverpool will make big changes to their Carabao Cup starting line-up against Championship leaders Leicester City on Wednesday in a bid to keep some big names fresh for the trip to London.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is still a serious injury doubt.
Pep Lijnders revealed that the vice-captain has returned to training with the team and he has a good chance of making his first appearance before the national team break.
Meanwhile, Thiago Alcantara will be sidelined with a hip injury that sidelined him since last season. The 32-year-old has not started for Liverpool since Wolves lost 3-0 in February. Backup right back Conor Bradley is the only absentee from the first team and looks set to be out of the back row until November.
Klopp said he needs the “luxury” of a big squad this season and there should be plenty of competition for places this weekend.
Impressive defenders Joe Gomez and Joel Matip could drop to the bench, while last season’s hero against Spurs Jota will compete with Darwin Nuñez and Cody Gakpo in attack.
TOTTENHAM TEAM NEWS
New Spurs talisman James Maddison “rocked” his knee in the north London derby and is a slight doubt for the weekend.
New signing Brennan Johnson was another early departure for Arsenal and is currently being assessed with a hamstring problem. Rodrigo Bentancur (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (trip) and Bryan Gil (hip) are likely to miss the weekend clash as they continue their recovery.
Elsewhere, Ivan Perisic is still out long-term with an ACL injury in his right knee.
predicted lineup
Barring this week’s problems, Klopp should be able to field arguably his strongest XI on Saturday in what promises to be the biggest test so far of the 2023/24 season.
PREDATION
With two of the Premier League’s four unbeaten teams facing each other, Liverpool’s survival in this one may be the best indicator of where Liverpool 2.0 – as Klopp has dubbed his squad – is headed.
Maddison (if fit) and Son Heung-min represent two of the best strikers the Reds will face this season and the defense cannot afford to concede sloppy chances. Falling behind – as Liverpool have already done in four games this season – can be fatal.
Liverpool’s recent record at Tottenham and the form of Klopp’s attacking options suggest the visitors have a good chance of at least coming away with a point.
Ottenham 2:2 Liverpool
