Someone already mentioned it but in terms of energy, that will probably be better without Gerrard. But the vision, the assists will have to be replaced and that will be tough. I also think a wingback will score, not sure why, just a gut feeling.
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwo-preview-tottenham-vs-liverpool The lowdown It’s intriguing that, despite Liverpool having enjoyed such a good start and Spurs faltering, the two clubs go into Sunday’s fixture just three points apart. The biggest difference between the pair is perhaps that, while Spurs cashed in on their star man, Liverpool held on to theirs. TOTTENHAM FORM Tottenham vs Anzhi (4-1) (EL) S'land 1-2 Tottenham (Prem) Fulham 1-2 Tottenham (Prem) Tottenham 2-2 Man Utd (Prem) Tromso 0-2 Tottenham (EL) . LIVERPOOL FORM Liverpool 4-1 West Ham (Prem) Liverpool 5-1 Norwich (Prem) Hull 3-1 Liverpool (Prem) Everton 3-3 Liverpool (Prem) Liverpool 4-0 Fulham (Prem) . Tottenham’s biggest shortcoming is the direct result of Gareth Bale leaving and a new set of attacking players attempting to fill the void before even being given the chance to adapt to life in the Premier League. Liverpool, on the other hand, look like a well-oiled machined, but you have to wonder where the Reds would be without Luis Suarez. While they had been playing well before the Uruguayan returned from his 10-match ban, their recent performances – particularly at home - have highlighted that there’s no substitute for world-class ability. Spurs have finally started to score goals, and although these have still largely been in the form of 20-yard screamers, set-pieces and own goals, the signs are there that things are starting to click in open play. Jermain Defoe alone could have scored a hat-trick from the chances created for him against Sunderland. Team news Tottenham will once again re-jig their defence as Jan Vertonghen is set to miss their festive fixtures with an ankle ligament injury. Danny Rose should return at left-back with Vlad Chiriches joining Michael Dawson at the heart of the defence. With Steven Gerrard missing for Liverpool, Joe Allen will partner Lucas in the Liverpool engine room. Gerrard’s absence is a big loss for Liverpool, particularly at a ground where they’ve not had much success in the past few years, losing on every visit since the last day of the 2007/08 season. Player to watch: Luis Suarez (Liverpool) Who else? The Reds’ frontman has scored 14 goals in 10 games, with six in his previous two (including the deflected effort against West Ham initially credited as a Joey O’Brien own goal). Almost as impressive as his goalscoring, which has included an almost obscene number of wonder strikes, has been his ability to carry Liverpool and dribble past defenders at will. Against West Ham, he was successful with 7 of his 13 take-ons, 5 of these in the box and 2 just outside the area. Spurs may profit from taking a lesson from Hull, Liverpool’s last away game which the Reds lost 3-1. Against the Tigers, Suarez was left to pick up the ball in deeper more congested midfield areas, leading to 6 take-ons, all of which failed. Liverpool as an attacking force were nullified as a result. LAST FIVE MEETINGS L'pool 3-2 Spurs (Prem, Mar 13) Spurs 2-1 L'pool (Prem, Nov 12) L'pool 0-0 Spurs (Prem, Feb 12) Spurs 4-0 L'pool (Prem, Sep 11) L'pool 0-2 Spurs (Prem, May 11) . The managers This is yet another meeting of two Jose Mourinho protégés; one under fire, the other revelling in his club’s best start to a Premier League season since 2008/09, the last campaign in which Liverpool qualified for the Champions League. That Spurs are one point better off than this point last season, when they would record their highest Premier League points total, suggests that criticism of Andre Villas-Boas in recent weeks has been a little harsh. Both play a similar system, although Rodgers has shown more of a willingness to adapt his system to suit his players, switching to a 3-5-2 to accommodate Suarez and Sturridge. With Sturridge out for a month, Liverpool will most likely line-up in the formation de jour for any aspirant side, 4-2-3-1. It’s the formation AVB has been doggedly sticking to all season, despite a struggling in front of goal. Recent performances suggest Spurs could make this system work for them, and there might be a lesson to be taken from Rodgers’ willingness to switch the team around to accommodate the goalscorers. It is, after all, the area where Tottenham have been lacking so far this season. Facts and figures •Liverpool have fired in more shots on target than any other team in the top flight this season (97). •Liverpool have scored four own goals at White Hart Lane, the joint-highest figure of any team on any ground in Premier League history (along with Southampton at St James Park & West Ham at Anfield). •Tottenham against Liverpool has seen the joint-most penalties in Premier League history (17 along with Everton v Newcastle), though 11 of them have been at Anfield Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwo-preview-tottenham-vs-liverpool#8iV5tSqaoD8rlOUF.99
Well we started the season with clean sheets and wins without him so probably near or around the same spots!
More worrying than intriquing, i'd say. They aren't performing very well at all but still staying near the top four. Whereas we, and Suarez in particular, seem to be in a purple patch of sorts. I really hope we get a win from this game.
nobody IMO is performing that well. its just that utd are doing really badly. look when we finshed 7th and stuff we were always <10 points off the top by this time. the reality is spurs and we so far are in the mix. end of. spurs... need to bully us. I think we look fragile and not mentally sound so if they put us off our game early i think they'll win... the utter and rather pathetic panic that spread through the team when gerrard walked off was not funny. there was not reason for it at the time. the game was in control. I see no leadership to drive us so i fancy that unless someone steps up we'll see suarez playing spurs on his won with 10 scared schoolboys... harsh words for skertl and the like but i feel very true.
We need to take the game by the scruff of the neck and pressurize Tottenham from the get go. The way we both play, though, and as the two managers know each others tactics so well, this game could be a damp squib, with both sides nullifying each other ... Hopefully not, though.
Either you are attempting, very poorly, some form of alternative thinking or you have completely lost the plot with phrases like "fragile and not mentally sound" - or is that a verbal self-portatrait. If any midfield is confused then it has to be Spurs - results prove it. So go with CCC's strategy, take the game and keep squeezing for 90 minutes.
have faith br has to show us tomorrow he can cope tactically without some key player's, just not sure he can.
True. Its also time for our squad players to show their worth otherwise there is no point having them.
Morning Red ****e With us now sitting ahead of you in the table, you need something from the Lane today. I'm looking forward to the match, should be a cracker, as I think you'll both go for it. I don't see many goals in it & it'll come down to who makes their possession count & takes a half chance. Without Gerrards dead balls I think you're much weakened, as a large proportion of your goals seem to come from his delivery & in a game like this, that'll be won or lost at the margins, then his absence could prove to be key. The alternate view to that, is without him, you'll have more legs in the centre of the pitch & you might be better placed to win the midfield battle. My money will be on the draw I think.
I think the crapness of our midfield is out of his hands today. I wouldn't be surprised to see the dreaded 3-5-2 again! Flanagan is gonna have his work cut out.
Yup. One positive is they have injuries in their defence which Coutinho and Suarez may be able to exploit.
