LFC Scout Report: Tottenham Hotspur

By Ben Hardy

High flying Tottenham Hotspur are the visitors to Anfield on Sunday as they continue their persuit of a top four finish.


Man of the moment: Gareth Bale

Only league leaders Manchester United sit above Spurs in the form table as Andre Villas-Boas' team are now unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions.

An impressive 3-0 victory over Inter Milan in the midweek Europa League tie added to a combative 2-1 win over Arsenal in the North London derby which see's Spurs sitting in third in the Premier League.

Spurs managed a 2-1 victory in the reverse leg earlier in the season as Gareth Bale netted in both ends.

Sunday's game however will be a different proposition for Spurs. The Red's have turned their season around since then and many will consider Liverpool favourites at Anfield.

Two clean sheets and nine goals in their last two Premier League games could see Brenden Rogers' men cause an upset against London's top placed club.

Liverpool are now tantalisingly close to moving ahead of fierce rivals Everton as the gap currently stands at three points.

A Europa League place and a finish above Everton could prove to be a succesful end to the season, especially after such a difficult start.

Team News:

Aaron Lennon is a doubt for the trip to Anfield after injuring his hamstring against Inter Milan on Thursday.

Lennon has been in good form this season and has caused problems for Liverpool in the recent past. His absence will be a welcome sight for Liverpool fans.

Emmanuele Adebayor missed the midweek game for Spurs with a knee injury but should return to the squad on Sunday.

Moussa Dembele is expected to start after playing his role in the victory over Inter, despite being brought off midway through the second half.

Tom Huddlestone (knee) and Clint Demspey (calf) are both major doubts whilst Younes Kaboul and Sandro (both knee) remain long term absentees.

Key Players:

Tottenham's obvious threat will be the montrous form of Gareth Bale. Bale has scored seven league goals in 2013, second only to Luis Suarez's eight.

With 10 goals in his last 8 appearences everything he touches seems to be turning into goals right now wether it's neat flicks, headers, free kicks or long range stunners, the guy is simply unplayable.

February's player of the month has also become the first Welshman to achieve 16 goals in a season in the Premier League and can become the first Spurs player to score in six consecutive games should he net against Liverpool.

Brendan Rogers may need to look to how rivals Everton and Manchester United minimalised Bales threat. Marouane Fellaini and Phil Jones respectively were chosen to man mark Bale and his influence in those games was severely reduced.

It is also important to bare in mind the return of Jermaine Defoe to the Spurs starting line up. The England international was scoring for fun at the start of the season and a return to fitness could propel Spurs even further.

The match will be shown live on Sky Sports 1 in the UK and kick off is at 4:00 pm (GMT). The Anfield Opinion will keep you up to date with all th latest post match action.