Tottenham and Liverpool square off in a crucial Premier League match, but are Spurs supporters hopeful of a first victory over the Reds at their new stadium?
Last weekend, West Ham was defeated 3-1 by Jurgen Klopp’s team at Anfield after yet another strong showing in a season that is looking more and more promising.
But on Saturday night, Liverpool will face their toughest test of the season when they go to a Spurs team that is also having a strong season under personable new boss Ange Postecoglou.
Last Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal away from home was a solid performance, and they now appear to be tougher than in the past.
Henry Jackson of This Is Anfield got in touch with football as the game drew near.Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold), a London-based Spurs correspondent, will talk about a tantalising match this weekend and much more.
Fourth place in the standings is Tottenham. How much hope do you have?
They’ve had a great start under Ange Postecoglou, and they’re playing the style of football that Spurs supporters have been pining for lately.
While missing out on European competition for the first time in 14 years is never anything to celebrate, Postecoglou does benefit from having full weeks off to train with his team.
That is already evident in how fast both fresh and seasoned players have adopted his risk-taking, front-foot style of play.
With this youthful team, fourth place seems about appropriate for Spurs, and I’m optimistic that they could finish in the top five this year, which would likely ensure Champions League status.
How well-known is Postecoglou and what has he done to affect such a change?
He enjoys enormous support from the fans, staff, and players. The Australian expresses his desires and expectations so clearly and well, and he then goes out and makes them come true.
Because Postecoglou absolves them of responsibility for any errors, the players adore him.
He wants them to play quick, possession-based football out of the back, and he makes it plain that it’s okay if they are intercepted or caught in possession if they follow his instructions.
Recent managers made it quite apparent that they did not believe the problem resided with them, therefore this is a far cry from those managers.
By eliminating the fear aspect, Postecoglou gives players greater confidence to play the passing football he demands, as you have so far witnessed at the Emirates Stadium.
It has produced the outcomes he has attained in other parts of his career.
What players do you think will be crucial for Spurs this year?
With the advent of Postecoglou, Yves Bissouma has been revitalised as a midfield dynamo to work alongside James Maddison, who has already established himself as the creative centre of everything Spurs do.
Destiny Udogie and Micky van de Ven may be young, but they have stepped into the defence and already strengthened it. Son Heung-min has been turned into a deadly central striker.
There is a pretty strong core to the team now, including with the new custodian Guglielmo Vicario, who has impressed from the start.
What one thing about Spurs would you change right now?
At Fulham, the cup defeat.
When you look deeper into the squad in some spots, Postecoglou replaced the majority of the team, and the second XI shown that the strength isn’t nearly there.
Spurs were eliminated on penalties, adding yet another cup departure to their long list.
Which team, other from the Spurs, will shock us in 2023–2024?
Although there is less of a surprise factor to them now, Brighton has so far appeared to be managing the Premier League portion of their busy schedule effectively, if not the cup portion.
If they do that, it implies that they will still be a dominant force in the league, but it is unclear how feasible that will be as the season progresses and injuries mount.
Which Liverpool player do you think Spurs should sign right now?
You still can’t, in my opinion, ignore Mo Salah.
He is among the top players in the world and would fit Spurs’ system well.
What are the major clashes that will occur on Saturday?
Salah vs. Udogie and Dejan Kulusevski vs. Andy Robertson at the other end will both be crucial matches.
I also believe that the success Spurs will have with their buildup play on the day will depend on how the Liverpool midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai handle the movement of Maddison and Bissouma.
What is your final prediction?
Both clubs enter the match having started the season unblemished, are in terrific shape, and have scored a lot of goals.
I believe the positive vibes around Spurs and the consequently loud crowd may just tip the scales on the playing field.
Spurs have a terrible record against Liverpool lately, but if they apply what they learned from the tie at Arsenal, I have a hunch they could win this game 2-1.