Tottenham vs. Liverpool: 5 Things Spurs Must Do To Beat the Reds This Sunday

It feels like its been ages since I've written a Tottenham article and seeing as I'm a Tottenham Hotspur Featured Columnist, that is probably a bad thing. So to get back into the groove of things, I've decided to write about the much-anticipated matchup between Tottenham and Liverpool.

A lot is on the line for both teams heading into this game. Tottenham, after two humiliating defeats to the Manchester teams, picked up a 2-0 win over Wolves last weekend and will be looking to keep the momentum going as they try to reignite their challenge for a top four spot.

Speaking of the top four, Liverpool will have their eyes on the exact same spot, and know that proving their supremacy over Tottenham early in the season will give the team a huge psychological boost in achieving their goal.

Furthermore, after the 1-0 loss at Stoke City last weekend, Liverpool will be keen to show that the loss has been quickly forgotten and that the team is still strong and ready to compete.

Let's look at the five things Tottenham must do to beat Liverpool.

Do NOT Bench Jermaine Defoe

It's been proven in the Premier League time and time again: Starting with a lone striker—no matter how quick, strong, powerful, etc—will not bring you long-term success, especially with the stronger teams in the league.

It seems that the rest of the "Big Six" have learned this lesson well. Wenger no longer tries to play Van Persie or Chamakh up top on their own, and now plays a 4-3-3 with one of the flanked by two wing-forwards. The same is true for Chelsea, and for the most part, Liverpool.

Manchester City usually starts with two of Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko up top. Manchester United plays a 4-4-1-1 of sorts, but Wayne Rooney's attacking instincts make him more of a strike partner to the other striker in the system than that of a second striker behind the primary striker.

Unfortunately, Redknapp continues to believe that playing the best players in a system that does not work will bring results.

It won't.

Adebayor may be significantly better than Crouch, but if he is left isolated up front, which is what will end happening since Van der Vaart does not play like a forward, then he will not be able to contribute his best to the team.

If Tottenham want to succeed, they need to allow Defoe and Adebayor the opportunity to strike up a partnership, the way Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov struck up one of the most fearsome partnerships in the Premier League a few seasons ago. If Van der Vaart must be included, put him at right midfield or switch the formation to 3-5-2 and have him play alongside Modric in front of a defensive midfielder—but do not drop Jermaine Defoe out of the lineup.

Not only would if be unfair, but it would not be in the club's best interests.

Feed the 'Yor and He Will Score

Well, that was my attempt at a chant for Adebayor. Don't be too harsh.

For at least a season now, Tottenham has been used to the midfield being the focal point of the team's offense. Modric is generally charged with the responsibility to run play, while Van der Vaart is given the ball and told to create something while he has the ball.

Those tactics of last year must be done away with. Unlike Peter Crouch, who lost the ball eight out of 10 times they gave it to him, Adebayor is one of the best target men in the world, and that skill must be utilized. Adebayor must be viewed as more than just an "option", the way Peter Crouch was viewed. He must become the team's new focal point.

This doesn't mean that Modric can no longer run play or that Van der Vaart should stop creating space and opportunities for himself and others, but it means both players must now play with the goal of getting Adebayor more involved in mind. Adebayor is still at his physical prime, and if he is fed in on a regular basis by the likes of Scott Parker, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Rafael Van der Vaart, Niko Kranjcar (when fit) and Aaron Lennon (when fit), Adebayor should easily bag 20 or more goals this season. 

Start Ledley King

Let be clear in my opinion: If Sebastian Bassong and Younes Kaboul end up starting in central defense for Tottenham this weekend, we will be torn to shreds by Liverpool's attackers.

I still have faith that Younes Kaboul can blossom into a solid defender, despite his rather poor defending on various instances this season. But I don't think he can do that alongside a defender who is weaker than him.

Kaboul needs a mentor who will cover for him when he makes mistakes and will instruct him on how to improve. That mentor ought to be Ledley King.

Ledley King looks like a player with something to prove this season. Following the much-publicized 20 plus game standard that Harry Redknapp set for Ledley King to be able to get a new contract, Ledley King has made it a point to get more games, and says that he will "let (his) football do the talking" for the rest of the season.

Let's hope we see some of that talking this weekend in central defense.

Win the Midfield Battle

It is especially in these kinds of games where the absence of guys like Sandro and Wilson Palacios can be felt. With a team that loves to pass and run play through midfield, Sandro and Palacios would be the ideal players to break up play and set up counterattacks for Tottenham to capitalize on. 

But all hope is not yet lost. Modric, though tiny, does have the ability to tenaciously chase the ball, and similarly, so does Scott Parker. They may not have the strength that a Palacios or Sandro would boast, but if they start the game with the right mindset, they should be able to get the job done.

This may even be a good game to recall Tom Huddlestone to the starting lineup, as Tottenham could really benefit from his size. 

No matter who starts, Harry Redknapp must stress to his guys that this is likely where the game will be won and lost. If Tottenham goes out on Sunday without being aware of the importance of winning the ball in midfield and constantly pressuring the ball when it is not in their possession, I don't think Tottenham will win. 

Target Luis Suarez

Liverpool, for all their signings this summer, is still extremely dependent on Luis Suarez for creativity. If their matchup against Stoke City last weekend showed anything, it showed that.

Thus, if Tottenham hopes to win its game against Liverpool this weekend, the players must play the same stifling defense Stoke City played last week on Luis Suarez.

To be sure, the rest of Liverpool's team is very talented and dangerous, but Downing, Kuyt and Henderson have yet to prove themselves as truly dangerous players who can create opportunities on their own this season. 

Stop Suarez and you'll have significantly weakened Liverpool's offense.

Thoughts?

Let me be honest here—without a Sandro-esque player in midfield, my money's on Liverpool winning this game. Our injury list is much longer than Liverpool's, and at least three of our usual starters will be absent from the game.

But, if Tottenham does follow at least four of the points laid out here, then I can see Spurs winning the game, especially since it is being played a home.

What do you think? Who do you think will win, and why?