Liverpool host Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday (kick off 3pm) with both clubs’ managers under pressure after some poor results in recent weeks. Martin Jol’s job was probably saved by the dramatic comeback against Villa on Monday night, while Rafa Benitez came under fire following the Reds first defeat of the season to Marseille on Wednesday night.
That defeat saw a very poor performance and one which the Anfield faithful will be hoping not to be repeated in what is an important fixture if Liverpool are going to maintain a good title challenge after a faltering September which saw points dropped at Portsmouth and to Birmingham, and with some tricky league fixtures now ahead, coupled with the Champions League match in Istanbul against Besiktas, this is the start of an important run for Benitez’s side.
Team news wise Liverpool have no new injury doubts with Alonso, Agger and Kewell still out. Jermaine Pennant is almost certain to return to the right of midfield – he again was overlooked for England duty when the squad was announced on Friday for next week’s internationals.
Elsewhere, Alvaro Arbeloa could return to the starting line-up and John Arne Riise is in contention. Dirk Kuyt is expected to replace Crouch alongside Torres. But in all honesty, who can ever guess a Benitez team?
Spurs played against Anorthosis Famagusta on Thursday, drawing 1-1 but winning 7-2 on aggregate.
Benitez has an unbeaten record against Spurs and last season did the double over them – 3-0 at Anfield and 1-0 at White Hart Lane.
The match isn’t live on Sky or Setanta but should be available online on various torrent websites.
Possible Liverpool line-up: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Arbeloa, Pennant, Gerrard, Mascherano, Babel, Kuyt, Torres.
Pre Match Quotes
Rafa Benitez:
“I want to see character from the players. It is the only way to react after what happened against Marseille. Now I want the side to stop teams even creating chances against us.
“That will boost our confidence. I think we are defending well, but we must improve and I am sure we can.”
Premier League Fixtures
Saturday
Aston Villa 1-0 West Ham
Man Utd 4-0 Wigan
Sunday
Arsenal v Sunderland
Blackburn v Birmingham
Bolton v Chelsea
Fulham v Portsmouth
Liverpool v Tottenham
Man City v Middlesbrough
Newcastle v Everton
Reading v Derby
