Tottenham vs. Liverpool: Key Battles, Players to Watch and Score Prediction

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season against an inconsistent Liverpool side on Saturday, who have a wealth of attacking players but a leaky defence.  

Spurs host the Reds at White Hart Lane in the lunchtime kick-off and will be looking to build on their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last time out.

Jurgen Klopp's side will be hoping to bounce back after last week's disappointing 2-0 defeat away to Premier League newcomers Burnley. Despite dominating possession at Turf Moor, Liverpool failed to build upon their thrilling 4-3 win at Arsenal on the opening day.   

Coral provided a look at some of the stats from the shocking loss against the Clarets:  

Klopp fielded a strong XI for the midweek 5-0 thrashing of Burton Albion in the EFL Cup, in which second-half substitute Daniel Sturridge grabbed a brace, as Liverpool revealed on Twitter: 

Liverpool's potency in front of goal will no doubt worry Spurs' manager Mauricio Pochettino, as forwards Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino also scored in the win. 

The match between the two clubs at White Hart Lane last season ended in a drab goalless draw, while the reverse fixture at Anfield in April finished 1-1, putting a massive dent in Spurs' ultimately unsuccessful title push.

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Players to Watch

Tottenham: Vincent Janssen

Despite failing to score for his new club, Vincent Janssen has impressed in his two appearances this season, proving there is more to his game than goals. The Dutchman linked up well with strike partner Harry Kane in a tireless display against Crystal Palace last week.

Janssen was last season's top scorer in the Eredivisie, netting a clinical 27 goals. The 22-year-old failed to score in his first seven games last term but scored a whopping 21 times in the second half of the season, helping AZ finish in fourth place.

In the process, the forward became the youngest player in the Dutch top flight to net more than 25 goals in a campaign since a young Ronaldo tore up the division for PSV in the 1994-95 season. 

With Liverpool's leaky defence, which has conceded five in just two Premier League games, Janssen will be hoping to open his account for his new employers. 

"I am happy with Vincent (Janssen)—he was fantastic and created a lot of chances. The supporters see he is a fighter," Pochettino told the BBC after the game against Palace, as reported by Ian Woodcock. 

Aside from the forward's obvious goal threat, his work rate and movement could create openings for his team-mates. 

Kloop's back four could be overwhelmed by the pacy and tireless Dutchman, and as a result, it could give the likes of Kane, Christian Eriksen, Erik Lamela and Dele Alli more clear-cut opportunities on goal.

Midfield dynamo Eriksen described Janssen as a typical English striker, and the Dane said the forward's addition to the team will be a big help to strike partner Kane, as noted by Sky Sports Rory O'Callaghan on Wednesday: "Vincent took some big hits for the team with all the hustle and bustle up front, which I think made it a bit easier for Harry because normally it's him that's doing all the battling."

Liverpool: Daniel Sturridge 

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The injury to Tottenham's Hugo Lloris is undoubtedly a major blow for the Lilywhites, yet their defence still remains solid with the likes of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen patrolling the back line. 

Michel Vorm is also a more-than-able deputy for Lloris. However, England forward Sturridge will be looking to test the stand-in 'keeper and build on his goalscoring cameo in midweek. 

Sturridge, who has again been battling injury, recorded 65 minutes against Burnley and netted twice against Burton on Tuesday night. 

The flamboyant forward will be pushing for a start at White Hart Lane as part of a front three alongside Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane. 

Jurgen Klopp rates the former Chelsea man highly and sees him as an integral part of Liverpool's team. 

Klopp told Sky Sports on Tuesday, as reported by Lyall Thomas: 

"

Daniel is still a very quick player but he's had a lot of injuries in the last few years and a few muscle issues. I have no idea how this exactly changes the mind of a player. He is still on the way back, but he is still an outstanding player, and even an outstanding player needs rhythm. Saturday was not the best game of football Daniel has ever played but, even in a game like this, he could have scored.

"

However, Tottenham's defence was the best in the Premier League last season—conceding just 35 goals—and appears to have taken the good form into this term.

Sturridge and his team-mates will have to take the opportunities they are given to score, as Alderweireld and Vertonghen usually ensure goalscoring chances are kept at a minimum. 

Key Battles

Can Spurs' Defence Hold off Liverpool's Rampant Attack?

Tottenham's aforementioned centre-back pairing, shielded by defensive midfielder Eric Dier, could nullify Liverpool's forwards.

Boasting attacking threats across the pitch, Liverpool netted four away to Arsenal but failed to break down Burnley, who defended behind the ball for large swathes of last week's game. 

Alderweireld and Vertonghen are superb readers of the game and have forged one of the best defensive partnerships in the league, and they are flanked by pacey full-backs Danny Rose and Kyle Walker, who pose an attacking threat without surrendering their duties at the back.

Liverpool will need their attacking players to be at their best if they are to break down this stubborn Spurs rearguard. 

The Reds will also have to make sure Dejan Lovren takes charge of the defence to keep the likes of Kane, Janssen and Eriksen at bay, as all three can create chances for themselves and others at ease. 

Captain Jordan Henderson will also need to plug any gaps in front of the defence, while the hardworking James Milner will have a key role to play if he's ushered in at left-back for Alberto Moreno, who was dropped after a poor display against Arsenal.

Prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Liverpool