Preview: Liverpool vs. Tottenham

The Reds look to take top spot for themselves as they host the
league leaders.

Liverpool vs Tottenham

| Wednesday, December 16th |Premier League | Anfield8PM BST
/3PM EST

It’s a clash at the top of the table as the Reds host a red-hot
Spurs side who can not stop scoring their first shot of every
game.

It’s been over six years since the last time Tottenham sat in
first place of the Premier League table, and it is perhaps not
surprising that it happens in a year when the presumed top sides
are having middling seasons, as the pace-setters are currently
averaging less than 2.1 points per game, something that would
equate to just 79 points over the course of the full 38 games.

Leading this charge to the top has been the outrageous
goalscoring and playmaking form of Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane,
respectively, with the former scoring ten goals and the latter
assisting the same number in the opening 12 matches of the season.
As both totals sit a bonkers 150% over their expected values, there
is an argument to be had that Spurs are perhaps overperforming
somewhat, and with Jose Mourinho getting to sit back and counter in
virtually every game thus far as a result of scoring early, further
suggestions that it might not last seem reasonable.

That is not to say that Tottenham are not one of the better
teams in the league. The aforementioned attackers are undoubtedly
world-class, and Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele are both
outstanding creative midfielders who, buttressed by a typically
defensively stout Mourinho defense, have been allowed to flourish
this season.

Projected Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson; Henderson,
Jones, Wijnaldum; Mané, Firmino, Salah

On Liverpool’s end, and despite Mourinho’s deluded assertion
that they don’t matter, it is difficult to circumvent the issue of
injuries entirely. Joël Matip was substituted after 45 minutes at
the weekend, leading to a centre-back partnership of non-defenders
Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, and the Cameroonian international
will be subject to a matchday fitness test. Should he fail, a
return for either Rhys Williams or Nat Phillips seems
unavoidable.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is back after missing six weeks through
injury, and could play 90 minutes for the second time since
October, while Kostas Tsimikas’ knee injury means Andrew Robertson
will continue playing every single minute possible this year.

In midfield, Naby Keïta could be in line for a return, although
probably not in the starting XI, while James Milner, Xherdan
Shaqiri and Thiago remain unavailable, meaning a continued reliance
on the stalwart Georginio Wijnaldum and the impressive Curtis Jones
is on the cards.

Up top, Diogo Jota misses out with a knee injury that will see
him sidelined until February, so the famous front three of Sadio
Mané, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah will return.

What the Managers Said

Jürgen Klopp: “The way they play this year is
really good. He turned them into a result machine. They got
results, they have good performances, if they are not on their top,
they still win. They defend collectively, all this kind of stuff.
So, very impressive.”

Jose Mourinho: “As ever I’m the real victim
here me me me.”

The Officials

Referee: Anthony TaylorAssistant
referees: Gary Beswick, Adam NunnFourth
official: Mike DeanVAR: Chris Kavanagh,
Peter Kirkup

Kickoff is set for 8PM GMT/3PM EST tomorrow, and television
listings for the match can be found on LiveSoccerTV.

In the meantime, and as always, we’ll be keeping you updated
with all the buildup to the game, including team news as it’s
released, our live matchday thread, and post-match recaps from The
Liverpool Offside staff. If you want to join the discussion, sign
up for an SB Nation account to have your say on the action as it
happens.