3 Key Battles That Will Decide Liverpool’s Game Against Tottenham

This clash is one of the most important games from this week’s Premier League fixtures. Ninth-placed Liverpool entertain second placed Tottenham with the away side just five points behind Leicester City who top the standings.

Tottenham certainly are in a decent run of form but that cannot be said about Liverpool who showed their inconsistency by losing a 2-0 lead at St Mary’s. The team lost the game against Southampton but will be looking to do better at home as Jurgen Klopp’s side still have hopes of making it into Europe next season.

The last time these two met, they could not be separated in Jurgen Klopp’s first game for Liverpool but the German manager would be looking to get three points and cause Tottenham all sorts of problems.

We look at the three key battles that could decide the game.

Dejan Lovren vs. Harry Kane

The Croatian defender has been a revelation under Klopp and all talk about him being sold seems to be a thing of the past. Lovren has probably been one of the best centre-backs in the league since Klopp came but he would have to deal with the best striker in England.

Harry Kane is the leading scorer in the Premier League and he could well be the one scoring a few goals against a leaky Liverpool defence. The team did capitulate against Southampton and Kane would be hoping for something similar again.

Emre Can vs. Eric Dier

The battle to watch in this game would be between the two central midfielders who can destroy the opposition. Emre Can has been exceptional in a few games for Liverpool though he would have a tough time trying to boss the midfield when playing against Tottenham’s rising star Eric Dier.

The young Englishman might have started his career as a central defender but Mauricio Pochettino has found a new role for Dier and now he is revelling in this role. Dier though would also have a tough game as the two midfielders would not want to give each other an inch. The player who does win the battle could end up having a huge say in who wins this game.

Jordan Henderson vs. Mousa Dembele

The English midfielder hasn’t had the best season and there has been a lot of talking about him being replaced at Liverpool next season. Jordan Henderson has to show the form that almost led Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2013 but will face tough competition from Mousa Dembele.

The Tottenham midfielder wasn’t the most important player in the team at one stage but his ability to run with the ball and control the midfield could give him the ability to change the nature of the game.