How can Tottenham stop Liverpool’s all-action attack on Saturday?
Published:
Reds sitting top of the Premier League table
There’s a heavyweight clash in the Premier League on Saturday, as early-season pace setters Liverpool make the trip to Tottenham Hotspur.
The Reds boast arguably the finest frontline in the league, with the trio of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah. But if Spurs play their cards right, they could have the defensive clout to keep their visitors quiet.
Ahead of the weekend’s meeting at Wembley, the Coral News Team go in-depth on this intriguing battle…
Quartet at the back for Poch’s charges
Home boss Mauricio Pochettino experimented with a back three in the early part of last season.
But he scrapped the system after defeats to Manchester United and Arsenal, as well as dismal draws with West Bromwich Albion and Newport County.
However, the Argentine returned to a back three for Spurs’ last game, with similarly uninspiring results. His side endured a 2-1 defeat to Watford – their first loss to the Hornets since 1987.
Against a Liverpool side who boast electric pace and real creativity, a back three could be especially costly.
A return to the solid back four of Danny Rose, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Kieran Trippier – who started the 3-0 win at Old Trafford last month – would seem the smart move for Poch.
Press high on Liverpool’s backline
Spurs’ 3-0 triumph at Old Trafford was inspired largely by a pressing game which caught United off guard. Lucas Moura’s first goal came via a lightning-quick counter attacking move which left the hosts’ backline scrambling to get back – in vain.
Deli Alli nearly grabbed a goal by closing down a Victor Lindelof error, before Moura did make it 3-0 by capitalising on a Chris Smalling mistake.
Against Liverpool, a high-intensity pressing game could be especially effective. Much of the visitors’ attacking play comes via full-backs Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
If Spurs can cut them off at the source, and stop Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez playing it out from centre-back, they could well kill two birds with one stone.
In the Match Betting, it’s 9/5 for a Tottenham win. Meanwhile, Pochettino’s men are 24/5 to Win to Nil, which would force Liverpool’s first blank of the season.
Click here for all of Coral’s Tottenham v Liverpool odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
