Harry Redknapp’s Spurs side welcome Liverpool to White Hart Lane for tonight’s evening kick-off; Rafael Benitez’ Reds remain top of the league after scraping past Portsmouth midweek, courtesy of a Steven Gerrard penalty; Spurs are buoyant after salvaging a late, late draw against bitter rivals Arsenal in the North London derby, all thanks to Aaron Lennon’s equaliser at the death in what was one of the games of the season thus far. Redknapp will be looking to lead his side ever closer out of the relegation zone, having seen a marked improvement in his side’s performances since taking over at the helm. Benitez, on the other hand, will be hoping for a victory to retain top spot and heap further pressure on the chasing pack. It will be a tough test for the Reds, however, and if they are to secure the three points they must expose Spurs weakness, which is their defence, whilst containing the attacking threat of messrs Pavlyuchenko, Modric, Bentley, Lennon and Bent.
Fernando Torres is expected to sit out of the game, as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury, whilst his strike partner Robbie Keane has been passed fit to face the side he left this summer after a groin problem.
Tottenham will be crossing their fingers that injury-prone skipper Ledley King will be fit to feature, as he makes the Spurs defence a bit less of a joke than it already is, whilst midfielder Jermaine Jenas, stand-in captain on Wednesday night, is confident of recovering from a toe injury. Michael Dawson remains suspended after the sending off he received a fortnight ago against Stoke.
Prediction - whilst Spurs have improved as a team since Redknapp has taken over, I believe that he still has a lot of work to do, with the defence especially, and Liverpool will punish Spurs for this. However Tottenham are a threat up front, and will give the Liverpool back four a hard day’s work. Quality will shine through though; a 2-1 Liverpool win, with ex-Spur Keane grabbing a goal.
Gruffudd Owen
