Matchday Preview: LIVERPOOL v Tottenham (Premier League)

Date: 10th March 2013 at 10:16 am
Written by: Ben McCluskey | Comments (1)

Venue: Anfield

Date: 10/03/13

Kick-Off: 16:00

Liverpool FC host Tottenham on Sunday in a match that has been billed in some quarters as a contest between the two best footballers in the Premier League – Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale.

Whatever the final score is at Anfield, it seems almost certain that Liverpool’s number 7 and Tottenham’s Welsh superstar will have a vital role to play in the outcome.

Suarez’s hat trick against Wigan last weekend ensured that the Uruguayan became the first player to score 20 Premier League goals this season, and the 26 year old received a special award from Barclays for his feat. Suarez has now scored 28 goals in all competitions for the Reds, while Bale has managed 21 for Spurs.

Liverpool will be able to recall both Daniel Sturridge and Martin Skrtel for Sunday’s clash, though Skrtel is likely to return to the bench if he is named in the squad. The Slovakian centre-back has been unable to displace Jamie Carragher from the side since he was dropped following Liverpool’s FA Cup defeat at the hands of Oldham in January, and Carragher will make his 500th league appearance for the Reds if he starts against Tottenham. Aaron Lennon (hamstring), Tom Huddlestone (knee) and Clint Dempsey (calf) are all doubts for Spurs, but Emmanuel Adebayor could return after missing Thursday’s game against Inter Milan with a knee problem.

Tottenham have a strong recent record against Liverpool, winning four of the last five meetings between the sides, and Andre Villas-Boas’ side sit 12 points above the Reds going into Sunday’s fixture. However Spurs have only won one of their last 18 league games at Anfield, with their sole success coming in May 2011 when goals from former players Luka Modric and Rafael Van Der Vaart helped the Lilywhites secure a 2-0 victory. With home advantage and a run of three straight wins behind them, Liverpool will be confident of picking up another three points on Sunday.

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