What: English Premier League
Who: Liverpool vs Tottenham
When: Sunday 30th March 2014, at 16:00 UK Time
Where: Anfield, Liverpool, England
Surprise Package
Liverpool and Tottenham meet at Anfield in a match of huge importance to both sides. Liverpool have surprised most observers and at this late stage of the season are in the thick of the title race. If Brendan Rodgers side can win their last seven matches of the season then the league title could return to Anfield for the first time since 1990. That scenario includes many ‘ifs’ and as Rodgers reiterated this week it is not only up to Liverpool and what they do, other sides such as Chelsea and Manchester City must drop points.
But both Chelsea and Manchester City did drop points yesterday and a win for Liverpool here would send them top of the table and place them in pole position. The pressure is on. However, regardless of whether the league is won, the good times have returned for the club with their exciting attacking style having captured the imagination of the club’s supporters this season. Champions League football next season looks an almost certainty and real strides have been made under Rodgers in the last year and a half.
A midweek victory over Sunderland was crucial in keeping up the chase at the top of the table. While the 2-1 win was closer than many fans expected, the truth is that the Reds showed plenty of character to pull out the three points when last season they may have dropped points in a similar situation. Daniel Sturridge was clear on his views of the Sunderland win and what lies ahead for his club down the stretch.
The striker said: “You have to grind results out sometimes. You have to do the dirty things to get the result you want — it is not always going to be easy.
“There are seven difficult games to go and each one will be difficult and different in its own way. For me, I don’t get too excited, I just take each game as it comes as it is different opposition, different styles of play, and we have to change the way we play against each team to try to get the result by whichever means necessary.”
Turning A Corner
After a 3-1 home defeat to Benfica a couple of weeks ago, Tim Sherwood was beginning to feel the pressure for the first time as Tottenham manager. When that result was followed up by a home derby defeat to Arsenal questions were being asked as to whether the former player was the right man for the job. Fast forward a few matches and things are beginning to look up at White Hart Lane. Though they were bounced out of the Europa League by Benfica, Spurs managed a superb fightback in Portugal and gave the Lisbon side some anxious moments. Then last weekend, an awful start against Southampton where they went down 2-0 was turned into a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory.
Sherwood was quick to hail the importance of the Southampton win. “It was a massive, massive win for us”, Sherwood said. “We know we have a tough period ahead. On paper, they look easier games after the Liverpool one, but they're the harder ones. When people come here with expectancy, let me tell you, it is harder to come from 2-0 down at home than 2-0 away from home. Unless you've played the game, you won't understand.”
The question now is whether Tottenham can put together a run in the final seven matches to make a late charge for fourth place. That looks increasingly unlikely, but if the performances of the last two matches do anything they offer hope that there is still some life left in Spurs.
Recent form
Liverpool:
Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool (16/03; Premier League)
Cardiff 3-6 Liverpool (22/03; Premier League)
Livepool 2-1 Sunderland (26/03; Premier League)
Tottenham:
Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal (16/03; Premier League)
Benfica 2-2 Tottenham (20/03; Europa League)
Tottenham 3-2 Southampton (23/03; Premier League)
Key absences
Liverpool: Jose Enrique
Tottenham: Kyle Walker; Emmanuel Adebayor (doubt); Etienne Capoue; Erik Lamela; Vlad Chiriches
Players to watch
Liverpool – Luis Suarez: Certainly the Uruguayan will receive a whole host of individual awards as the season begins to wind down. What he has done this campaign is nothing short of remarkable as he leads the Premier League in goals and assists (28 and 11 respectively). When considering that he also missed the first five matches of the season due to suspension his statistics become even more impressive. If Liverpool can take their title challenge to the wire they will have their star man to thank.
Tottenham – Hugo Lloris: The French goalkeeper could be in for a long afternoon at Anfield. While Tottenham have endured a roller-coaster campaign, Lloris has been ever-present and his reputation hasn’t suffered even if he has been a part of some heavy defeats. Tottenham’s backline hasn’t helped much and should Spurs come away with something against Liverpool then Lloris will probably be one reason why.
Match Prediction
Tottenham may be on the rebound after a poor March. Comebacks against Benfica and Southampton suggest there is a team there willing to fight their way out of a slump. Fourth place seems a stretch at this point, but a win at Anfield would be a massive boost. Liverpool slipped past Sunderland in midweek and now will be confident of winning another home match against their London rivals. Rodgers’ men have worked themselves into a superb position to play a role in the title race. Following Saturday’s results, another victory over a top team this weekend and the momentum could be Liverpool’s to go on and do something special. Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham.
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