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They’ve become something like our bogey team of late, as we’ve struggled to get the results against Tottenham in recent attempts. I certainly hope Monday is the day that we snap this streak of ours.
I write this after a month or so of inactivity. And I really think that Liverpool’s position (as in performances and results) has definitely been improving. We’ve achieved 3 fantastic results in emphatic wins over Zenit, Swansea and Wigan, and I really think that Tottenham will be the acid test to see how far we’ve come from that first leg defeat to Zenit in Russia.
Brendan Rodgers will definitely be helped by his major success story that is the January transfer window. Not only have his two signings of the window excelled in the short time between then and now, but he has managed to offload a lot of our deadwood, such as Joe Cole and such, and I really think that it has put us in a much better position – both in terms of finance and team quality and depth.
Despite the fact that Luis Suarez has been contributing a number of goals with his dead ball proficiency, I think we’re doing better from open play now as well. The passing is continually improving, and players are finding their rhythm. Lucas Leiva is rediscovering that fine form that won the Kop over, whilst Phillipe Coutinho is a livewire.
Liverpool will need to break down a resilient Spurs back 4 with the intentions of getting into Europe following the almost cruel way of which they were sentenced to the Europa League last term, whilst Hugo Lloris has proven to be an inspired signing by Andre Villas-Boas, making quality saves and ordering around his defence like a true Edwin Van Der Sar-esque veteran.
Rodgers will have a few selection headaches for this match. Whilst you have a solid back 5 (including keeper) and a strong base of Suarez, Gerrard, Lucas and Sturridge to work with, it leaves only 2 places up for grabs among Allen, Henderson, Shelvey, Sterling, Coutinho and Downing. Who he picks for the match is likely to define his tactics for the rest of the season, and I’d like to think that he will be fielding who he believes is his strongest XI for the encounter.
But I guess the main show will definitely by Gareth Bale vs Luis Suarez. Two really in form players facing off in an attempt to wow supporters and take home all 3 points. Both have been spectacular of late, and it will be interesting to see who will come out on top in the battle.
