Liverpool Team News: Injuries, suspensions & line-up vs Tottenham

Melissa Reddy

Liverpool Team News: Injuries, suspensions & line-up vs Tottenham image

Liverpool are determined to prove they can still produce their early season brilliance as they target a first league win of 2017 against Tottenham.

Mauricio Pochettino's men have no such form concerns, having not suffered defeat in all competitions since December 11. 

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They have propelled themselves into the position of Chelsea's closest challengers; the status the Reds held heading into the new year before a nightmarish run of results.

Jurgen Klopp has admitted "putting ourselves under pressure is a hobby of ours" and demanded Liverpool "show a reaction" -  and a win on Saturday at Anfield would provide the perfect platform.


LIVERPOOL INJURIES


Ragnar Klavan is due to return to training on Friday after battling a bacterial infection, while Klopp hopes he will be joined by Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana.

The former has a knee niggle, while the England international sat out sessions for two days after picking up a minor Achilles issue.

“It’s not 100 per cent certain if Dejan Lovren can train today, [there's] still problems. But we still have hope that it is possible, so we’ll see in a few minutes," the Reds boss said at Melwood.

“Adam Lallana was out for two days with a little problem with the Achilles. We have to see. He’s willing and we want, for sure, to try that he can train today and then he is available for tomorrow, because it was only two days.

HD Dejan Lovren

“Ragnar Klavan has had a real bacterial infection, so was six days in bed and lost a little bit of weight.

“He was running the day before yesterday, and yesterday felt much better. He’s involved in training today but we have to see what we can do with him.”

Marko Grujic, meanwhile, continues his recovery from a hamstring tendon injury.


LIVERPOOL SUSPENSIONS


Neither side have any suspension problems to contend with.

InArticle_Liverpool


LIVERPOOL POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP


Klopp fielded close to his best starting XI at the KCOM Stadium last time out, but given the dire first half especially, there could be a few alterations. 

If Lovren is cleared to play, he will partner Joel Matip at the heart of defence. Failing that, Klavan could come in for Lucas, who deputised against Hull. Joe Gomez is also an option at centre-back.

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There is a weighty call for Gini Wijnaldum to be included in the XI at the expense of Emre Can, who has been far from his best and is not able to knit play as effectively as the Dutchman.

Similarly, Simon Mignolet's errors have led to shouts for Loris Karius to return in goal and Klopp admitted he has not made a decision yet, which is more encouraging for the German.

GFX Possible LFC XI v Spurs


TOTTENHAM TEAM NEWS


Spurs, who boast the best defence in the league, have been phenomenal since mid-December. They are ambitious and aggressive on the ball, while being organised and relentless without it. 

Pochettino has ensured a great balance, which has fired his team to second in the standings. Having beaten Chelsea at home and drawn away to Manchester City in their last five top-flight encounters, Tottenham will be confident of halting an awful record at Anfield. 

HD Harry Kane Tottenham

Liverpool have lost just one of the previous 22 league clashes on their own turf against the north Londoners.

On the team news front, Spurs are cautiously optimistic that Danny Rose will return from knee injury at the end of the month.

Jan Vertonghen is sidelined through ankle ligament damage, with Georges-Kevin N'Koudou (knee) and Erik Lamela (hip) also unavailable.

Harry Kane has been involved in all three of Tottenham's goals in their last two league games at Anfield, scoring twice and assisting once. No player has more goals in the division than him this year.


BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS


  • Liverpool are on an eight game unbeaten run against Spurs in the Premier League (W5 D3 L0); they last went nine without defeat against them in March 1998.

  • Spurs have lost 15 of their 24 visits to Anfield in the Premier League (W2 D7) – they have only lost more often at Old Trafford (20) and Stamford Bridge (16).

  • Spurs have conceded the fewest goals from open play in the Premier League this season (7). Indeed, Liverpool have shipped more goals from open play (18) than Spurs have in total this season (16).


TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME


Kick off is at 17:30 and the match will be televised live on BT Sport.

Melissa Reddy

Melissa Reddy Photo