Liverpool FC vs Tottenham Hotspur FC, free match prediction 17 Dec 2020

LIVERPOOL FC vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC Match Preview & Analysis

This has the makings of a terrific game of football and one that could pit Liverpool’s attacking intensity against Tottenham’s counterattacking firepower.

Although Liverpool have not started the season with quite the same vigour as last campaign, they have still been mighty impressive and are only held off the top spot by Spurs’ superior goal difference having conceded eight fewer goals.

They’ve also had a number of several high-profile injuries to contend with and have had to rotate several youth or reserve players into the first team at times. Despite this, they’ve been strong.

Tottenham have been one of the surprises of the season, even though manager Jose Mourinho has fantastic experience in the Premier League. 

In Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min they have two of the finest forwards in the league and could be a nightmare for Liverpool’s injury-hit defence.

As champions Liverpool will be slight favourites, but that will not bother Mourinho one bit.

Teams Preview

Liverpool FC Preview

Form Guide (all comps): DWWDD

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Have continued their good form despite injuries

     Are joint 1st despite not yet hitting top gear

Reasons to be fearful:

     New injuries keep coming, particularly in defence

     Tottenham’s attack can exploit any weaknesses

Jurgen Klopp has done a pretty outrageous job of keeping Liverpool in the hunt at the top of the table despite having to deal with an injury-ravaged squad, particularly in defence.

They were already threadbare in this position before their 1-1 draw with Fulham, with van Dijk and Joe Gomez suffering potentially season-ending injuries. Joel Matip, Liverpool’s last senior centre back, also picked up an injury in the weekend game, though is hoped to be fit for the clash against Spurs.

Either way, Jose Mourinho will surely look to exploit a second-choice centre back pairing with the pace and quality of Kane and Son.

Fortunately, Liverpool’s attack still looks as dangerous as ever, with Salah continuing to score with high consistency. Diogo Jota could miss up to six weeks with injury, however.

Klopp will not change his tactics, despite the injury situation.

Star Man – Mo Salah

Is one of the few ever-present starters for Liverpool currently and continues to score the goals, with 13 this season already.

Tottenham Hotspur FC Preview

Form Guide (all comps): DDWWD

Reasons to be cheerful

     Performances in the big games have been great

     Can take advantage of Liverpool’s injury crisis

Reasons to be fearful 

     Are untested against a team of Liverpool’s quality

     Rely heavily on Kane and Son’s goals

Tottenham are certainly among the favourites to lift the Premier League at the end of the season. 

This fantastic form cannot be considered a mere blip and, as long as Kane and Son stay fit, will be in with a real chance.

Spurs do heavily rely on their two attacking stars, of course. If either of them was to pick up an injury, it would be interesting to see how they cope going forward. They have good players throughout the team, but Kane and Son are without doubt their world-class pair.

They’ve played Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea this season, winning all but one and drawing the other. 

That being said, Liverpool will represent quality on a different level to any of those and will provide a massive test of Spurs’ title credentials.

Star Man – Harry Kane

His all-round play is spectacular. He has 19 goal involvements this season, five more than anyone else in the league.