Though Thursday’s win moved Tottenham Hotspur to 4-0-0 against the city of Manchester this season, losses against both London rivals makes it impossible to predict how it will fare against the last remaining big six opponent. We will get a convincing answer soon enough, as Spurs are set to see Liverpool three times over the next couple months.
The first encounter comes via the league on Sunday as Tottenham kicks off the first of four straight festive fixtures. Liverpool looks like the country’s best team and is a tough matchup for Ange Postecoglou’s injury-riddled squad. There are seemingly always fireworks when these sides meet, so hopefully the chaos works in the underdog’s favor this weekend.
Tottenham Hotspur (t-10th, 23pts) vs. Liverpool (1st, 36pts)
Date: Sunday, December 22
Time: 11:30 am ET, 4:30 pm UK
Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
TV: NBC (US), Sky Sports Main Event (UK)
Only one of these teams won its last league match and comically that is Tottenham, of course. Liverpool has actually drawn two in a row but still holds the lead over Chelsea and is first in xGD, while also winning each of its first six Champions League fixtures. This has been an amazing start for Arne Slot and he is well positioned for some silverware in year one at the helm.
The last time these teams met at the new Lane will not soon be forgotten after one of the most infamous VAR gaffes in history. Spurs needed a last-minute Joel Matip own goal to take down the 10-men visitors, which was their first win in this fixture since 2017. In May, Tottenham went down 4-0 at Anfield before bagging a couple late goals, ultimately not impacting the title race at all after losing to all three contestants.
Inspired attacking
Liverpool owns the league’s best defense, so it will require an impressive performance from the Spurs attack to secure a win on Sunday. Fortunately, goals have been flowing over the past week with Dominic Solanke, Heung-Min Son, Dejan Kulusevski, and James Maddison each finding the back of the net twice. This feels like Postecoglou’s plan operating as desired, and it will need to be a group effort to continue this level of production.
The Reds have allowed multiple goals in each of their last two league contests, and despite their overall stinginess this season, this does theoretically set up for Tottenham to run on the counter. The press is always dicey with Postecoglou’s insistence on playing out the back, but if Spurs can break through the visitor’s aggression there should be some prime scoring chances.
Come on you duct tape
Fraser Forster finally suffered the type of nightmare on Thursday that most expected to see since he took over, which is disappointing as the replacement keeper and second-choice center backs have actually been somewhat passable. This reality check comes at a tough time as there is no opportunity to regroup with Liverpool’s deadly attack ready to feast.
Mohammad Salah (16 G, 13 A) is having another excellent season with Luiz Diaz and Cody Gapko both on nine total goals this season as well. Liverpool has scored multiple goals in each of its last eight league fixtures, while Spurs have found many ways to help out the opposing attack. It is going to require a heroic effort from the back line to keep this one close and a clean sheet is pretty unlikely; chaos feels like the only way Tottenham gets a result this weekend, and that has to involve some lucky defensive moments.