The Harry Kane show
For one reason or another, the England forward doesn't score
in August, but he’s more than made up for that curse in the following months,
with six league goals in five appearances. He’s on fire for club and country,
and Liverpool’s suspect defence has more holes than the Augusta National,
making the likelihood of goals a real possibility. Kane versus Dejan Lovren? The
Croatian will have to be at the top of his game, which is an uncommon occurrence
of late.
The Red Arrows
Not the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, although similarly
impressive when they’re in top gear. I’m referring to Liverpool’s deadly front
three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho. When Jurgen
Klopp’s team counter attacks it can be one of the most exciting plays to watch
in present day football. The pace, trickery and execution of these swarming
attacks have resulted in many a defence being left for dead this season, and
more games would have been won if the defence pulled its weight. Of course,
Sadio Mane would feature in the attacking formation were it not for his recent
injury. A bonus for Spurs but a blow for the Reds.
Confident Spurs
Spurs travelled to Madrid midweek to take on the current
Champions of Europe at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and managed to hold
Ronaldo and co to a 1-1 draw. Having gone ahead through a goal provided by
Kane, Spurs conceded a penalty but managed to go the distance with a strong
Real Madrid side and both teams remain joint top of their Champions League
group. Mauricio Pochettino’s
team are also unbeaten in their last six games and haven’t
lost since the defeat to Chelsea in their first home game of the season.
Confident Reds
It was a performance that was certainly due. Somebody was
going to get a drubbing from this Liverpool side. And any team that’s coming
off the back of a 7-0 away win in the Champions League is going to be full of
confidence. The likes of Salah, Firmino and Coutinho were ruthless in attack
against Slovenian minnows Maribor on Tuesday, and what’s more the defence
recorded a somewhat rare clean sheet – that’s two in a row after drawing 0-0
with Manchester United last weekend. The defence remains a big concern for
Klopp and with the likes of Christian Eriksen and Dele Ali creating chances for
Kane and scoring goals themselves, Lovren and Joel Matip will have a tough time
keeping it water tight at the back on Sunday.
Wembley wobbles
Spurs only recorded their first win of the season at their
temporary home against a struggling Bournemouth side last weekend. An
uneventful 1-0 win was enough to ward off Eddie Howe’s Cherries and perhaps
Pochettino had one eye on Madrid at the time, but Spurs had previously lost to
Chelsea and drawn to both Burnley and Swansea at the national stadium. Their
away form is certainly much more impressive as it seems Tottenham have
struggled adjusting to life after White Hart Lane, so it should leave Liverpool
with every incentive to take the game to the home side.
