Tottenham have been one of the Premier League’s success stories in recent years under the highly-rated Argentinian boss Mauricio Pochettino. They have challenged for the top-flight title against all financial odds at times.
One of the factors that has let Tottenham down in recent years is their ability to win away games at other top-four clubs. They struggle to play their own game on the grounds of their rivals.
This season Pochettino’s side have lost at Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City. Last season the north London side lost at Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool while drawing Arsenal and City.
On Sunday afternoon, the team from north London will visit Merseyside to face Liverpool at Anfield.
Must improve results to become an elite team
It is all well and good Tottenham beating the inferior teams on their travels. It does not, however, win you titles. Teams that win big trophies and titles win games at their rivals.
Classic examples of this are Chelsea winning at Manchester City last season. This season runaway leaders Manchester City have already recorded a 1-0 win a title and city rivals Manchester United. Even further back Leicester won at Manchester City on the way to winning the title.
Winning against your rivals gives a team the confidence that they actually belong at the top. It is the sort of shot in the arm that only being formidable can give a team.
Strong mentality needed
Tottenham winning at their rivals is all about mental strength. Winning teams have strong characters and a strong mentality. Tottenham have a team that can beat anybody on their day.
They have a team full of talented players. They can defend and attack very effectively. However, the ability to record victories at their rivals does not seem present in the current team. Maybe that is due to the team’s relative inexperience.
Maybe with experience, the current set of Tottenham players can develop that strong mentality. The current team need a big result and performance on their travels to affirm their status as a truly top team.
Spurs have already earned a 1-1 draw at European champions Real Madrid in the Champions League this season. However, they have not recorded a big away win in the Premier League and surely, that has a psychological effect on the team.
Spurs underdogs to win at Anfield
Tottenham head into Sunday’s game as underdogs at odds 13/5 to record a victory at Anfield. However, there is no shame being underdogs at Anfield, as most teams will be underdogs when they visit the famous stadium.
Even league leaders Manchester City went to Liverpool and went home empty-handed. Liverpool have the attacking ability to blow teams away on home soil. Tottenham are no different.
Pochettino’s team have to try to go to Merseyside and play their own game, instead of being overawed by the occasion or venue, as they have been at other big grounds in the top-flight.
Tottenham are not going to win the Premier League title this season, Manchester City look to have already sewn that up. However, for the north London side to be seen as a top side they need to win games such as Sunday’s.
Can Tottenham win at Liverpool this weekend?
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