LONDON, ENGLAND - Monday, August 20, 2018: Crystal Palace's manager Roy Hodgson and manager Jürgen Klopp shake hands before the FA Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool confront ghosts of last league defeat at Anfield – 5 talking points for the Premier League

The Premier League returns this weekend with Tottenham missing Harry Kane and Huddersfield searching for a new manager.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at the talking points ahead of the action.


Can Tottenham Cope Without Harry Kane?

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 4, 2018: Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane looks dejected as Liverpool score a late second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

England captain Kane has been ruled out until March with an ankle injury leaving Spurs with a striker crisis.

Son-Heung Min is also away at the Asian Cup while Vincent Janssen is frozen out and Fernando Llorente has started just one league game in 17 months.

Lucas Moura seems the only alternative up front but he has been battling a knee problem. Spurs have been reliant on Kane and must now cope or buy a replacement.

 

What Does the Future Hold for Huddersfield?

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 20, 2018: Liverpool's Fabio Henrique Tavares 'Fabinho' (left) and Huddersfield Town's Jonathan Hogg during the FA Premier League match between Huddersfield Town FC and Liverpool FC at Kirklees Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Rooted to the bottom of the Premier League Huddersfield are now managerless after David Wagner’s departure.

The Terriers host Manchester City on Sunday seven points from the safety line, with a managerial search now taking priority over January reinforcements for their survival effort.

Sporting director Olaf Rebbe has also departed as the club look for a fresh start but that increasingly looks like being in the Sky Bet Championship.

 

Can Arsenal Keep Their Champions League Hopes Alive?

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 29, 2018: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The Gunners host Chelsea on Saturday sitting fifth in the Premier League, six points behind the fourth-placed visitors.

Arsenal boss Unai Emery admitted they can only sign loans to strengthen this month, while Chelsea are tying up a loan deal for Gonzalo Higuain themselves.

But without serious strengthening cracking the top four again remains a tall order for a Gunners side who lost 1-0 at West Ham last week.

 

Marco Silva Needs to Stop Flattering to Deceive

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, December 2, 2018: manager Marco Silva's manager Marco Silva (R) laughs with Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC at Anfield, the 232nd Merseyside Derby. (Pic by Paul Greenwood/Propaganda)

Everton have won just two of their last nine Premier League games, including last week’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth.

They are 11 points off sixth-placed Manchester United and a mid-table finish, without European football next season, looks increasingly likely.

They go to Southampton on Saturday and after being relegated at Hull, and leaving Watford in a survival battle, Silva needs to start proving he can take Everton to the next level.

 

Will Liverpool Slip up Against Crystal Palace Again?

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 23, 2017: Liverpool's Divock Origi, Emre Can, Dejan Lovren and Lucas Leiva look dejected as Crystal Palace score the winning second goal during the FA Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The leaders host the Eagles, with Palace having won three of their last four trips to Anfield.

Their 2-1 win in April 2017 is Liverpool’s last home league defeat, with the Reds now unbeaten in 31 top-flight games at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are four points clear of Manchester City but they need to avoid more Palace problems to maintain the gap at the top.

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