Another cagey big six clash on the cards
Anfield will be the scene for another table-topping fixture on Wednesday night in the Premier League, pitting current champions Liverpool against Tottenham Hotspur. Both sides are locked on 25 points, having been forced to settle for disappointing 1-1 draws last time out, albeit under different circumstances. There's a lethargy to the hosts at the moment, which, when coupled with the visitors' defensive credentials, could mean another low-scoring, attritional encounter like what was witnessed in the Manchester derby. Read our preview here:
At home with the Henderson
The list of absentees continues to grow for the Reds, with Diogo Jota now potentially out for two months. That could mean captain and stalwart will join fellow pivot Fabinho at the heart of defence; the latter has far more experience in that role and together, they should be able to organise the rest of the backline well, even with that sense of unfamilarity. However, the bigger problem as a consequence becomes apparent in midfield. Takumi Minamino is arguably still finding his feet in English football, and his first instinct is to drive forwards with or without the ball, much like Curtis Jones in the opposite half-space. That leaves only the dynamism of Gini Wijnaldum to truly screen the back four when Liverpool lose possession. Sadio Mané and Mo Salah are still performing admirably, but not at the heights of the previous two seasons. The hosts were fortunate to come away with a point against struggling Fulham, and will need to show greater resolve at one end and more craft at the other to unlock a far meaner defence.
No ordinary Joe
The possibility exists that José Mourinho might revert to a three-man defence to match up to the home side's attack, all whilst retaining the same anchors in midfield to stifle the runners Liverpool possess and hit them on the break through the skill and work of Gio Lo Celso linking the two 'banks' with the utterly deadly partnership of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son. Key to that strategy working will be how well left-sided centre back Joe Rodon contains Salah. A tough ask for any player, but the Welsh defender has the height and wherewithal to cut out any aerial crosses sent his way, and the pace not to simply back off from the Egyptian superstar on the dribble. When he does claim the ball, he has the range of passing that has seen him likened to John Stones to get Spurs moving with speed.
If not now, then when?
Fellow top six outfit Leicester City spectacularly failed to take advantage of a weakened Liverpool outfit several weeks ago. They have since recovered to be back in the mix at the summit, and since then, the injury problems for Jürgen Klopp have only become even more severe. Mourinho's pragmatism, coupled with having higher quality defenders overall, should see them avoid the pitfalls the Foxes did. The Reds have won every match at Anfield this term in stark contrast to their travails on the road, but that run is likely to come to an end on Wednesday against a team with eight men more than capable of digging in and repelling their waves of attacks, and three that can win a game on their own. Strikes are likely to be at a premium, and bet365 are offering odds of 1.67 for under 2.5 goals. An away win won't define Tottenham's season, but it will only serve to further reinforce the perception that they really can win the title in a very competitive, packed 2020/2021 campaign.
