Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur
With just over a fortnight of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign remaining, there is so much to play for.
At this stage we don’t know who will survive out of Everton, Burnley and Leeds United.
At this stage we don’t know which North London outfit will grab the fourth and final Champions League spot (I still think Chelsea will be safe in third).
And at this stage we do not know who will be crowned champions – Manchester City or Liverpool.
As it stands then, Saturday night’s clash at Anfield between the Merseysiders and one half of that North London duo, Spurs, could go some way to making some of those permutations a little clearer.
Talking Points
With such important matters on the line, Premier League 2022 highlights could well be in abundance.
Both teams may well be full of confidence. After all, Liverpool have just reached the Champions League final for the third time in five years and are unbeaten domestically since the end of December. They also know they must keep winning to be primed to take advantage of any slip-up from leaders and reigning champions City.
Liverpool were 1-0 winners at Newcastle last time out in the league – a result which moved them briefly top of the standings. Avoid defeat against Spurs and they can again return to the summit as City are not in action until Sunday.
Manager Jurgen Klopp should have a full strength squad at his disposal, a squad which has proved its worth in recent months and showed up even City’s by comparison.
Spurs, who have a decent squad depth, produced a fine showing as they drew 2-2 with Liverpool in a four-goal thriller just before Christmas. Antonio Conte will be looking for a similar display – and result – to keep their top-four hopes alive ahead of a potentially decisive north London derby on May 12.
Son Heung-Min scored the equaliser in that game and was on top form last time out with a double – the second of which was a wonder strike – to see off Leicester City.
He and captain Harry Kane will lead the goal threat for the visitors with Son (and Cristiano Ronaldo) the marksmen immediately behind the league’s top scorer and newly crowned writers’ footballer of the year, Mohamed Salah.
The ability to attract players of the calibre Conte wants this summer would be boosted significantly by Champions League football next term and a good result at Anfield will keep them in the hunt and on Arsenal’s coattails.
Conte has this week pledged his future to Spurs, a position which would also surely become stronger should he guide them to fourth place at the expense of their North London rivals.
All in all, the position could be no clearer – what happens on Saturday night could well shape the conclusion of the campaign for both clubs.
History
Two of the established big names of English football but the roll of honour tally between the clubs – in terms of actual trophies – is reflected in the head-to-head meeting stats.
Liverpool have beaten Spurs 87 times compared to the north Londoners who have tasted victory on 48 occasions. Forty-three meetings have ended in a draw.
Their very first meeting came in the old Division One in 1909 when a player by the name of Herbert Middlemiss scored the only goal in a Spurs victory.
Liverpool have really had the upper hand in recent years with Spurs only winning one of their past 20 contests – a 4-1 triumph in 2017.
That, of course, included the 2019 Champions League final and both league matches last season.
Liverpool won the corresponding fixture at Anfield 2-1 thanks to a late Roberto Firmino header.
The return fixture, little over a month later, saw the Merseysiders record a 3-1 win in North London.
Betting Tip
Don’t forget to check out the SBOTOP Premier League 2022 betting odds ahead of Saturday night’s clash.
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