Liverpool hosts Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in Jurgen Klopp’s second-to-last game at home as manager.
The season that was meant to have a fairytale ending has been derailed after Liverpool lost crucial games in the Premier League title race and exited the Europa League against Atalanta. The Reds have secured a Champions League place with three games remaining, but there’s still a bittersweet feeling around Anfield.
Tottenham, on the other hand, must feel like a massive opportunity has faded away after dropping three consecutive games to Newcastle United, Arsenal and Chelsea. Now needing some help from Aston Villa, Europa League looks likely for Ange Postecoglu in his first season.
The reverse fixture between the two was embroiled in controversy, so there’s still a feeling of a score to settle within the Liverpool squad.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game.
Klopp issued an update on key players’ fitness levels ahead of the clash. “Virgl wasn’t the whole week yet, probably part of parts of team training today. So we have to see what we can do there.” Diogo Jota has not rejoined the group, but Conor Bradley was involved so keep an eye on the team announcement to see if the youngster steps in to the backline. Van Dijk will be a major miss against a Tottenham squad who can’t afford to drop any more points if the Champions League is still a goal.
Spurs have a list of absentees: Ben Davies, Timo Werner, Destiny Udogie, Manor Solomon, Fraser Forster and Ryan Sessegnon remain unavailable for Spurs. One player to note is James Maddison who started on the bench after the North London Derby loss. He came on as a substitute against Chelsea, so it’ll be interesting to see if Postecoglu puts him back in the starting lineup.
It’s going to be an emotionally charged game. Tottenham is feeling the effects of Champions League qualification all but gone, and Liverpool want revenge for the loss earlier in the season. Not to mention, this is Klopp’s second-to-last home game in charge of Liverpool. Nothing else needs to be said about how difficult going to Anfield is regardless.
Liverpool will be up for the game and Tottenham will be too demoralized after the last three losses.
