Tottenham can prove they can battle on two fronts by beating Liverpool

Tottenham v Liverpool, Premier League, November 28, 2010

Tottenham 2.11; Draw 3.55; Liverpool 3.77

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(By John Toner)

Sundays late kick off in the Barclays Premier League sees Tottenham Hotspur play host to Liverpool. The two teams go head to head for the first time since Spurs replaced the Merseysiders in Englands top four last season.

That failure to secure Champions League football prompted a change of management at Anfield in the summer and Liverpool have endured a rocky start to the season under new boss Roy Hodgson. Losses to the likes of Stoke and Hull City have left many Liverpool supporters feeling that Europes premier club competition is already out of reach. However, the manner of their victory over Chelsea, combined with the improving form of Fernando Torres would suggest that Liverpool have the means at their disposal to mount a serious attempt at regaining their elite status.

By contrast Tottenham have started their season rather well, currently residing 6th in the league and having qualified from their difficult Champions League group with a game to spare. Spurs find themselves in uncharted territory this year competing in arguably the two most demanding club competitions in world football. To date they have managed to juggle the two admirably and Sunday will be another important test of how Harry Redknapps men cope with a league fixture after facing European opposition in midweek.

Liverpool will be without captain Steven Gerrard after he limped out of Englands friendly with France last week, much to the chagrin of both the club and manager after having apparently agreed informally with the FA that their skipper would be withdrawn after an hour. Also missing for the Merseysiders will be midfielder Jay Spearing who sustained an a! nkle inj ury in training on Friday, hes joined on the sidelines by long term absentee Daniel Agger who is still recovering from a calf injury. There is some good news for Liverpool fans however as it appears Joe Cole may be fit to return from the injury he sustained at Bolton last month.

Rafael van der Vaart is a doubt for Tottenham after sitting out their victory over Werder Bremen in midweek. The Dutch playmaker picked up an ankle injury in Spurs 3-2 win at Arsenal but could still feature if he passes a late fitness test. Fellow midfielder Jermaine Jenas had to come off the pitch after just 15 minutes against Bremen and is also doubtful. Centre half pair Michael Dawson and Jonathan Woodgate are reportedly making encouraging progress in their rehabilitation from long term injury, but remain sidelined along with club captain Ledley King and utility midfielder Jamie OHara. On a more positive note for Spurs Jermain Defoe made second half substitute appearances in both of the last two games and appears to be approaching match fitness.

Liverpool have looked toothless and disjointed away from home this season on more than one occasion and having lost on their last two visits to White Hart Lane, face a difficult task against a Tottenham side in fine home form of late. The Reds have shipped 11 goals in 7 league games away from home this year and with the attacking verve Spurs have shown in recent victories over Blackburn and Werder Bremen its difficult not to see goals in this game.

The pressure is steadily mounting on Roy Hodgson and avoiding another defeat to Spurs is essential, not only to his position as manager, but to his clubs hopes of playing Champions League football next season. For Tottenham dropping points at home in the league is unacceptable if they wish to retain their status as a top 4 team and become a regular fixture in the most prestigious club competition in the world.

101gg predicts: Tottenham 2 Liverpool 1

Tottenham 2.11; Draw 3.55; Liverpoo! l 3.77

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