Tottenham v Liverpool: Reds to Rule Supreme Over Spurs Once More?
There was a time when we’d be shocked that these two clubs have only won one trophy between them this season. Alas that is the case with Tottenham likely to finish outside the top 10 for the first time in four years and Liverpool proving lacklustre even in their precious Champions League. So what’s going to spur them on in this final game?
Will I stay or will I go
It’s probable that both of these clubs will be looking to shed a few pounds during the summer. The rumour mill has already started regarding the usual suspects with speculation around Riise’s, Alonso’s and Crouch’s Anfield futures while Berbatov, Chimbonda and Robinson are the likeliest candidates to leave White Hart Lane although it seems that every member of the squad has been linked with some sort of exit!
Some - and Chimbonda instantly springs to mind - will be happy to leave their current ground but others will be far less so and will need to use this game as their final platform to prove their worth. Forget about a dull, drab, nothing to play for stereotypical last game of the season, the majority of players here are playing for their lives be it to stay put or to showcase themselves to potential buyers.
Liverpool on fine form
Disregarding the Champions League results and concentrating solely on league performances, Liverpool are looking good. Undefeated in April, their winning ways continued into May last week with a win at home to Manchester City even with the disappointment of their Champions League exit still fresh in their minds. Typical Liverpool methinks, finishing on a high, convincing fans that next season they really will challenge for the league!
Tottenham too were unbeaten in April; the difference being all their results were draws compared to Liverpool who managed two wins as well as two draws. Tottenham have stepped away from stalemate city in May though with their 1-0 win away to Reading last week; Keane with the only goal on 16 minutes. That takes him up to 15 for the season including the 2 he put past Liverpool in their 2-2 draw at Anfield back in October. In fact when Tottenham score against Liverpool it is usually Keane that comes up with the goods, scoring 4 of the last 7 Spurs netted.
Head to Head
Keane may be the Tottenham man when it comes to getting goals against Liverpool but in recent years the goals have been hard to come by. In fact, prior to this season, Tottenham had failed to get a single goal past Liverpool in the last two years.
In the long history between the two, Liverpool have enjoyed a large amount of success. Historically, they have 60 wins over Tottenham under their belts compared to the 35 Spurs have and this pattern continues to follow suit in the present day; Spurs have not beaten Liverpool home or away for four seasons.
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Tags: Liverpool, Premeir 10 match previews, Premier League football, reds, Spurs, Tottenham Hotspur
May 7th, 2008 at 11:57
I think Liverpool have over-achieved again this season.
They are so yesterday
3 easy points for Spurs!
May 7th, 2008 at 12:00
What a useless article - In what way does getting to the Champions League semi constitute a lacklustre campaign?!
May 7th, 2008 at 12:19
Bad bit of betting advice. Liverpool have no qualified for the CL and have nothing to play for as do Spurs, however, the difference is, Spurs fans are desperate to finish above West Ham and a win will do it. Tottenham have been playing very good football all season and especially in the last few weeks, they have been dominating against every team they play. I can see this one being a nail-biter right to the end but I can see Tottenham nicking it right at the end. My prediction - Tottenham Hotspur 2 - 1 Liverpool
May 7th, 2008 at 12:40
Funny how Liverpool just keep over-achieving every season, eh Guy? One would almost think that they were in reality, achieving.
As for this whole Liverpool being lackluster thing, they’ll have 76 points if they beat Spurs at the weekend. That’s their highest points tally since the ‘94/’95 season, 8 points more than last year and 18 more than the ‘04/’05 season when they won the Champions League.
It’s just that with the money that Chelsea and Manchester United have it’s MUCH harder to win the league than it used to be. Yet they’re still top scorers in the Champions League and averaging just about 2 goals a game in the premiership. They’ve also lost only 4 games this season, one more than Arsenal and Chelsea and one less than Man Utd. Their problem this year has been turning draws into wins. Much easier to accomplish than losses into wins that they’d have needed before. So you know, if that’s what counts as lackluster - 11 points ahead of 5th place and consistent improvement, against a backdrop of mickey mouse behaviour from both board and owners, then I for one am fairly satisfied.
May 7th, 2008 at 13:51
Hobbes didn’t liverpool get 82 points in 2005/06 & 80 points in 2001/02
May 7th, 2008 at 14:41
You know Kieran, I stand corrected.
Nice work fella.