Tottenham vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League team news and line-ups as Cody Gakpo starts over Darwin Nunez
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Tottenham face Liverpool in the Premier League as Jurgen Klopp’s in-form Reds face their toughest test of the season at Ange Postecoglou’s resurgent Spurs.
Both sides are unbeaten so far in the Premier League, with Liverpool winning five of their opening six fixtures to lead the challenge to Manchester City in the early standings. But Tottenham are only two points behind after battling back to a thrilling draw at rivals Arsenal last weekend, as James Maddison and Son Heung-min starred in the comeback.
Now Postecoglou’s side face a Liverpool team who are also reborn from last campaign with a new-look midfield. Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning strike helped the Reds to their seventh win in a row in all competitions in midweek, and there will be talk of Klopp’s side fighting for the title should they beat Spurs for the first time this season.
Follow live updates from Tottenham vs Liverpool in the Premier League below and check out the latest match odds here.
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Tottenham vs Liverpool – LIVE
How the table looks before the game
With Man City losing to Wolves earlier this afternoon, Liverpool would go top of the league with a win today. They currently sit third, two points behind the defending champions.
Spurs sit in sixth at the start of play, and would leapfrog Liverpool into third if they were to win. They are currently on 14 points.
Tottenham vs Liverpool – LIVE
Postecoglou speaks pre-game
Speaking to Sky, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou says that it is important to impose their own game on Liverpool.
He highlights Liverpool’s counter-pressing and intensity, saying that “it’s about how we can minimise threat and impose our game on them”.
He adds that Richarlison has been training well since the international break and will start on the left, with Son down the middle.
Tottenham vs Liverpool – LIVE
Klopp speaks to Sky
Klopp says that this Spurs team is different to some of the others he has faced, praising their “lively” style of play.
He adds the Nunez is ruled out of starting due to a knee problem that he brought back from international duty.
Tottenham vs Liverpool – LIVE
Liverpool far stronger off the bench
Substitutions may well play an important part in this game, and if it turns out to be the case then Liverpool are far better equipped.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has returned to the squad after injury, with new signings Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo also available. Ibrahima Konate will provide defensive reinforcement if needed, while Darwin Nunez has enjoyed success from the bench in some recent games.
Spurs’ bench contains less firepower, with Manor Solomon the only proven attacker. Oliver Skipp and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg are the midfield reinforcements, with youngsters Jamie Donley and Alejo Veliz also on the bench.
Liverpool substitutes: Endo, Konate, Nunez, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold
Spurs substitutes: Skipp, Hojbjerg, Royal, Forster, Solomon, Davies, Phillips, Veliz, Donley
Jurgen Klopp given ‘new energy’ by resurgent Liverpool’s strong start
Jurgen Klopp said he has been given a new lease of life by his revamped Liverpool side as he waits to see where their destiny will take them.
Liverpool have won their last seven games in all competitions and are unbeaten this season with a different midfield and their manager believes they have provided him with new energy.
Klopp admitted he has been surprised by the speed of their progress after losing the experienced group of Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
But after bringing in Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch, Liverpool visit in-form Tottenham on Saturday in second place in the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp given ‘new energy’ by resurgent Liverpool’s strong start
Liverpool have won seven games in a row ahead of Saturday’s trip to Spurs
Why new-look midfields will decide Liverpool’s clash with Tottenham
Both arrive at the first meeting of the new season with plenty of similar circumstances: new optimism, new faces, unbeaten in all competitions and, most notably of all, with entirely rebuilt midfields.
For Liverpool, that has come in the form of transfer reinforcements, a totally revamped group containing four new signings and one not just repurposed player, but almost revitalised in Curtis Jones.
Dominik Szoboszlai has not so much hit the ground running as outright barnstorming his way through every challenge, opponent and defence, smashing in two goals from outside the box and being the pick of the bunch in multiple matches already.
Ange Postecoglou has quickly settled on Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr as his preferred double pivot, two who were completely – at times bizarrely – on the fringes last season under a troika of head coaches. Bissouma has played more league minutes so far than any Spurs outfielders other than Dejan Kulusevski and Micky van de Ven; Sarr was initially subbed on or off more frequently but played the full 90 against Arsenal last time out. It could change once Rodrigo Bentancur makes a full return after the next international break, but both are unquestionably ahead of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp right now.
Why new-look midfields will decide Liverpool’s clash with Tottenham
The Reds and Spurs are unbeaten this season after very different rebuilds over the summer
Tottenham vs Liverpool – LIVE
Starting Lineups
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Gomez, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones; Diaz, Salah, Gakpo
Tottenham vs Liverpool – LIVE
Starting Lineups
The starting XIs are in. Spurs are up first, and it’s what you’d expect really.
Spurs XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr, Maddison; Kulusevski, Son, Richarlison
Tottenham vs Liverpool – LIVE
Head to head
These two teams have had several entertaining meetings over the last few years, with Liverpool winning both fixtures last year.
They won 2-1 away early last season before an enthralling encounter at Anfield last April ended 4-3 in their favour.
Perhaps their most famous meeting was in the 2019 Champions League Final in Madrid, where Liverpool ran out 2-0 winners en route to their sixth European Cup.
Overall, Liverpool have fared far better in this fixture, winning 89 of the meetings to Spurs’ 48.
Both teams undoubtedly will be keen to preserve their current unbeaten league runs.
How the teams are faring
Both teams have made a solid start to the Premier League season, with Liverpool beginning the weekend in second place with 16 points.
Spurs have also had a positive start to the season, with Ange Postecoglou’s reign starting with big results at home to Manchester United and away at the Emirates last week.
They currently sit on 14 points, with this match looking like an early clash between teams that are a solid bet for top four or better.
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