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Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool

Sports Mole previews Jurgen Klopp's first match in charge of Liverpool as the Reds take on Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

All eyes will be on the away dugout on Saturday lunchtime as Jurgen Klopp takes charge of his first match as Liverpool manager at White Hart Lane.

Hosts Tottenham Hotspur will look to spoil their party in the opening Premier League game of the weekend, with just one point separating the two sides in the table.


Tottenham

Mauricio Pochettino manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on ahead of the Barclays Premier League match between Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on October 4, 2015 in Swansea, Wales. © Getty Images

Spurs will play second fiddle to the Klopp show in North London this weekend, but in terms of matters on the field, they will be confident of extending their unbeaten run in the league to eight matches.

Mauricio Pochettino's side are the only team to still be unbeaten since the opening day of the season, and there is a sense that they are moving in the right direction after what was a slow start to the campaign.

No wins and just three points from their opening four games raised questions, but they have since picked up 10 from the next 12 available, including a memorable 4-1 triumph over Manchester City.

Indeed, another win this weekend could see them climb as high as second in the table for a few hours at least, with Arsenal and Manchester United not playing until later on the Saturday.

That would require a return to winning ways, however, after Tottenham were twice forced to come from behind to rescue a draw with Swansea City before the international break, Christian Eriksen getting both of his side's goals from direct free kicks at the Liberty Stadium.

Harry Kane was also on the scoresheet in that game, although the striker netted at the wrong end to match his scoring tally in opposition goals so far this season - the England international's strike against Manchester City remains his solitary one for Spurs since May.

For the team as a whole, though, it will be a welcome return to home comforts. They remain unbeaten in front of their own fans in the league this season, while their last outing at White Hart Lane was that drubbing of Man City.

Indeed, despite Spurs struggling at times in front of their own fans in recent seasons, their last five Premier League home defeats have been by just one goal; the last visiting team to win by more in the top flight was Liverpool themselves in August 2014.

Recent form: DDWWWD
Recent form (all competitions): wWLWDD


Liverpool

New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp at Anfield on October 9, 2015© AFP

For a man unwilling to be the centre of attention, Klopp will need to get used to the spotlight during the first few weeks of his Liverpool tenure in particular.

The German was understood to be coveted by a number of top clubs following his work with Borussia Dortmund, whom he transformed from a bottom-half Bundesliga side into two-time title winners and Champions League finalists.

The situation at Liverpool is not quite as dire as the job he inherited at Dortmund, but the expectation levels are higher and a significant rebuild is still required if the Reds are to return to the top.

It looked for one season at least as though Brendan Rodgers could be the man to fulfil that role on Merseyside, but the Luis Suarez-inspired Premier League near miss proved to be the highlight of the Northern Irishman's trophyless three years at the helm.

Serious questions have been raised over Rodgers's transfer record at Anfield, but ultimately it was results that proved to be his undoing - a sixth-place finish last season followed by just one league win in six this time around was not deemed good enough and his spell in charge was ended shortly after a 1-1 draw with local rivals Everton before the international break.

A point at Goodison Park was certainly not the worst result of his tenure, but needing penalties to overcome League Two side Carlisle United, defeats to West Ham United and Manchester United, and draws with Norwich City and Sion were damning enough.

Klopp, who is just the second German manager to ever be appointed in the English top flight, now has the task of restoring the feelgood factor to the club, and he has already promised to bring more aggression, bravery and fun to the squad.

A win over expected European rivals Spurs would be a fine start, but Gerard Houllier is the only Liverpool manager to have won his first Premier League match in charge of the club, doing so in 1998 when in joint control with Roy Evans.

Goals will be high on the agenda for Klopp, with Liverpool having managed just eight all season so far - only Watford, West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United have found the net fewer times in the top flight.

Away form is another issue that needs addressing, as Liverpool's opening-day victory at Stoke City remains their solitary win in their last nine league games on the road - a run that stretches back to March.

Klopp has been dubbed 'The Normal One' since his arrival at the club, but Liverpool fans will be hoping that he is the man to bring the special times back to Anfield.

Recent form: DLLDWD
Recent form (all competitions): DDWWDD


Team News

Liverpool's English striker Danny Ings applauds supporters after the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Norwich City at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, north-west England on September 20, 2015.© Getty Images

Klopp's opening week or so at Liverpool has not been without incident, and he has already lost two players to season-ending injuries.

Danny Ings suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in training on Wednesday, with that news being confirmed less than a day after Joe Gomez was also ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with the same problem.

Aside from that, Klopp will also be without Christian Benteke (hamstring), Jordan Henderson (foot) and Roberto Firmino (back), but Philippe Coutinho (groin) and Dejan Lovren (ankle) could be fit for selection.

The new manager has promised that there won't be wholesale changes to the team, but the likes of Adam Lallana, Joe Allen and Jordon Ibe will be hoping for a recall to the starting XI.

Spurs are also without a number of players, with their main problems coming in midfield. Eric Dier, who has impressed in that role so far this season, is suspended having picked up five yellow cards already, while Nabil Bentaleb, Ryan Mason and Alex Pritchard are also sidelined.

Son Heung-min is expected to miss the rest of the month with a foot injury, but Spurs will have Dele Alli available fresh from making his first appearances for England during the international break.

Tottenham possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Alli, Dembele; Lamela, Eriksen, Chadli; Kane

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno; Lucas, Can, Milner, Coutinho, Lallana; Sturridge


Head To Head

Liverpool have dominated this fixture in recent times, winning the last five league meetings between the two sides - the first time they have achieved that feat since 1976. Neither side has ever won six in a row.

Indeed, Spurs haven't lost six in a row against any side since Newcastle United between 2006-08, although they have shipped 18 goals in the previous five meetings, scoring just four themselves.

The Reds have won 5-0 and 3-0 on their last two visits to White Hart Lane, but the latest clash between these two was a much closer affair as Mario Balotelli's only league goal for Liverpool handed them a 3-2 win in February. None of Liverpool's goalscorers in that match are still with the club, though.


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We say: Tottenham 2-2 Liverpool

It is always tough to make a prediction with a new man at the helm, but there is little doubt that Liverpool will be boosted by the arrival of Klopp. Even so, it is not an easy one for him to start off with, and Spurs have established themselves as a very hard team to beat this season. There are usually goals between these two sides, but unlike recent meetings, we think that they will be shared evenly on this occasion.



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