Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool: match preview

Saturday, August 30, 2014
White Hart Lane
Kick-off: 6pm Sri Lankan time
Referee: Phil Dowd. Matches: None.

After a 1-3 loss away to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Monday—a fixture that many Liverpool fans will have considered to be one of their toughest of the Premier League season—the Reds will look to respond with an improved performance at Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday. Brendan Rodgers’ men were actually on the front foot on Monday night, before a combination of defensive errors—most notably new left-back Alberto Moreno’s hesitance to clear the ball—led to Stevan Jovetic’s opening goal, pinning Liverpool back for most of the second half. Both Glen Johnson and Moreno suffered injuries in the closing stages of the game, while Martin Skrtel also looked in trouble.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino understands the hullabaloo surrounding Mario Balotelli's return to the Premier League, but is giving the Italian little thought ahead of his potential Liverpool debut at White Hart Lane. Just 18 months after leaving Manchester City to join boyhood club AC Milan, the 24-year-old this week completed his shock move to Anfield. The Italy international's career has been punctuated by controversy on and off the field, although the prospect of making his brilliance more than an occasional delight is an exciting prospect for Liverpool. Balotelli could make his debut at White Hart Lane on Sunday against in-form Tottenham, whose manager is happy to see the striker back in England, but not jumping on the rather excitable bandwagon.

New signing Federico Fazio could make his Tottenham debut this weekend, although Roberto Soldado is a doubt to face Liverpool.

Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino has yet to decide whether centre-back Fazio, who arrived from Sevilla on Wednesday, will feature at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Soldado may be absent again with a neck and back issue, while Kyle Walker is still missing.

Summer signings Mario Balotelli and the fit-again Adam Lallana could make their Liverpool debuts in Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Three players who sustained problems during Monday's 3-1 loss at Manchester City, Alberto Moreno, Martin Skrtel and Glen Johnson, are to be assessed ahead of the Spurs match.

Jose Enrique will also have a late fitness test, but Jon Flanagan is not yet ready to return as he works his way back to fitness from his knee injury, and Daniel Agger and Oussama Assaidi remain sidelined. 

With the potential for two high-profile debuts at White Hart Lane, the excitement level has risen.

Spurs could use Federico Fazio in defence following his arrival from Sevilla while Mario Balotelli, back in the Premier League, should feature for Liverpool after the 3-1 reverse at Manchester City.

If the Italian is Liverpool’s new Luis Suárez, he will hope to match the Uruguayan’s brace of goals in last season’s 5-0 win in north London.