Prediction: Liverpool vs Tottenham

14th May 2011

Liverpool climbed to fifth place with an impressive victory over Fulham and the Reds can now ensure their Europa League place with a win over Tottenham. Spurs continued their downtrend by losing to Manchester City and they don’t have much to hope for before the trip to Anfield.

Liverpool’s transition under Kenny Dalglish has really been remarkable and it was only fair that King Kenny gets awarded with a permanent contract for the impressive start to his second managerial spell at Anfield. The Kop legend took over the team fighting for survival and completely out of confidence and he has turned them into real winners and favourites for the fifth-place finish. Convincing victories over Birmingham, Newcastle and Fulham showed everyone that Liverpool mean business and the rich vein of form should be continued against out-of-form Tottenham. What is even more impressive is that the Reds played most of the game without Gerrard and Carrol, and with youngsters Flanagan and Spearing in the side, so it is little wonder that Kenny Dalglish is considered a Messiah by the Kop. The boss should now have Andy Carroll and Raul Meireles back to the side, but Gerrard, Agger, Aurelio, Kelly and Jovanovic are out injured.

Tottenham’s season seems to have ended with the disappointing double defeat to Real Madrid as Spurs have been largely struggling ever since. The busy schedule have long ago started to take its toll on the injury-plagued squad, so it is little wonder that Harry Redknapp’s side have been playing below all expectations during the last few weeks. The players have lost the motivation after it became clear that Tottenham would miss out on the top 4 finish, since, as Harry Redknapp stated, Spurs have no intention of playing in Europa League next season. That is exactly why nobody was surprised to see Tottenham lose to Manchester City and I don’t think Spurs will fare any better against red-hot Liverpool, especially considering the huge selection problems. Harry Redknapp will be without Assou-Ekotto, Gallas, Bale, Huddlestone, Gomes, Hutton, Jenas, Khumalo and Woodgate, while Luka Modric is a doubt.

Conclusion

Looking at team’s current form and the atmosphere surrounding the two camps, Liverpool look like the hot favourites to win this game. The Reds have been in impressive form of late and they should have enough in them to beat indifferent Tottenham side.

Verdict: Home win Liverpool (1)

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Victor Chandler