Liverpool welcome Tottenham to Anfield for a mouthwatering clash in the Premier League this weekend.
The Reds have seen their hopes of winning multiple trophies in Jurgen Klopp’s last season dashed in recent weeks, and they have to beat Spurs to re-launch their title challenge.
Liverpool’s problems all seemed to come bubbling to the surface last week when Klopp and Mohamed Salah were involved in a heated exchange on the sidelines.
But they will hope to put all that behind them and attack this game against Tottenham.
Spurs have lost three in a row against Chelsea, Newcastle and Arsenal and are in danger of being beaten to the Champions League by Aston Villa.
Ange Postecoglou’s men have a game in hand over Villa and are still in the race but must win at Anfield.
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Liverpool vs Tottenham: Salah to outlast Klopp
Klopp’s departure from Anfield is now imminent, with Arne Slot set to replace the German.
It was widely expected that one of his greatest-ever signings, Salah, would follow him through the exit door this summer, with clubs in Saudi Arabia very keen on the Egyptian international.
However, talkSPORT understands that Liverpool are confident Salah will remain on Merseyside.
Salah arrived at Liverpool from Roma in the summer of 2017 and has shown himself to be one of their best players in the Premier League.
He and Klopp have enjoyed an excellent partnership, and it seemed fitting they would both leave at the same time to mark the end of an era.
However, that’s not going to be the case, and Salah will be a Liverpool player for at least one more year.
- Liverpool have lost just one of their last 29 home Premier League matches against Tottenham Hotspur (W19 D9), a 2-0 defeat in May 2011.
- Tottenham Hotspur are looking to complete their first league double over Liverpool since the 2010-11 season, beating two different Reds managers that season (Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish). Their last league double over the Reds beating the same manager twice was in Dalglish’s first spell in 1986-87.
- Liverpool (3) v Tottenham (3) has provided six 90th-minute winners in the Premier League, the most of any fixture in the competition’s history. Indeed, both of the last two league meetings between the two sides have been won courtesy of a 90th-minute winner for the home team.
Liverpool vs Tottenham: Team news
The Reds’ injury issues are starting to ease as we approach the season’s end.
But Joel Matip, Conor Bradley and Thiago Alcantara’s campaigns appear to be over.
This match will also be too early for Diogo Jota.
Meanwhile, Spurs have issues in defence.
Destiny Udogie, Ryan Sessegnon and Ben Davies are all out for the remainder of the season.
Timo Werner also won’t play again this year for Spurs due to a hamstring issue, while Fraser Forster and Manor Solomon remain out.
- Liverpool have conceded the opening goal in 16 Premier League games this season; not since 2004-05 under Rafael Benítez (20) have they done so more in a single campaign. Indeed, the Reds have conceded the opener in four of their last five matches at Anfield in the competition – as many as their previous 22 beforehand.
- This will be Liverpool’s 18th Sunday Premier League game this season, only playing more in a single campaign in 2012-13 (20). They’ve won nine of their 17 so far this term (D6 L2), only winning more in 2013-14 (11/15) and 2018-19 (10/13).
- Liverpool have lost their last two home games in all competitions, as many as in their previous 57 combined. They’ve failed to score in both defeats, last losing three in a row without reply at Anfield in March 2021.
Liverpool vs Tottenham: What has been said?
Jamie O’Hara believes that Postecoglou has been too naive at times this season, especially when it comes to set-pieces.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “I don’t really know what he’s trying to say, but he’s basically saying I don’t care about the set piece situation. But it is a huge problem and an Achilles heel for us.
“I understand he’s trying to build a philosophy and a team that plays good football and he’s got that. But if there’s a problem and it keeps being a problem, surely as a manager at the highest level, you need to address it.”
And his co-host, Jason Cundy, added: “I feel that you are naive if you feel that set-pieces aren’t a huge part of the game. There’s a massive percentage of goals that are scored from set pieces – huge one!
“Because the margins are so tight, so minute, if you can get an advantage on any set-piece – look at Arsenal. The reason they’ve won it is because of their set pieces.”
- Tottenham haven’t lost any of their last six away Premier League games on a Sunday (W2 D4), with their last such defeat coming at Anfield against Liverpool in April 2023. Four of their five such games this term have been draws, but they did win their last such match at Aston Villa in March (4-0).
- Liverpool have kept just one clean sheet in their last 14 Premier League matches, including none in their last eight since beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 in March. The Reds last went longer without a shutout within a single season in the league from October to December 2004 (9).
- Liverpool’s Jürgen Klopp lost his first Premier League meeting with Spurs’ Ange Postecoglou earlier this season. The only manager to win consecutive Premier League games against Klopp is Brendan Rodgers with Leicester in 2021, while the last manager to beat him in his first two top-flight meetings was Louis van Gaal in 2009-10 with Bayern Munich when he was BTottenham’s Son Heung-min has scored in each of his last four Premier League appearances against Liverpool, putting Spurs 1-0 up in the reverse fixture in September. The only player to score in five consecutive Premier League games against the Reds is Jamie Vardy (between 2016 and 2017)orussia Dortmund manager.
Liverpool vs Tottenham: Date and how to follow
This Premier League match is set to take place on Sunday, May 5.
Kick-off at Anfield is scheduled for 4:30pm.
The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League.
Sky Go customers will be able to stream the action on their laptops and mobile devices.
Alternatively, supporters can purchase a one-day NOW TV pass for £11.98.
talkSPORT will have updates from Merseyside throughout the afternoon and talkSPORT.com will have a live blog.
To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
News Summary:
- Liverpool vs Tottenham LIVE: Reds have to win against Champions League hopefuls to re-launch stuttering title bid – kick-off time, team news and how to follow
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