Classy Reds face real thing in Spurs
A PAIR of Liverpool v north London match-ups highlight this weekend’s action in the Premier League.
Liverpool visit Tottenham and Everton host Arsenal on Sunday with three of them trying to close the gap on the unbeaten Manchester sides at the top of the table and one just looking for a win.
Tottenham and Liverpool have both lost only once in the league but are separated by five places in the table, thanks to the Reds having drawn four of their eight games. Spurs sit third on 17 points, five behind leaders Manchester City and four clear of Liverpool in eighth.
Both are both coming off impressive Champions League performances on Tuesday with Tottenham drawing 1-1 at holders Real Madrid and Liverpool routing Maribor 7-0.
The Reds equalled the competition record for largest away victory, but manager Jurgen Klopp isn’t expecting a repeat at Wembley Stadium.
“It is quite rare to win 7-0,” he said. “It’s nice to write history.
“We’ll try to use the result now. It’s pretty likely that in the next game the result will not be the same.”
Sixth-placed Arsenal look to get back on track at Everton, who’ve won just one of seven to drop down near the relegation places.
The Gunners lost 2-1 at Watford last week after which the Hornets’ Troy Deeney questioned their mental toughness. “If we start to listen to too many people it’s not worth it, honestly,” captain Per Mertesacker told Sky Sports. “I need to look at myself and think what could have been done better.
“We have to think how we can provide better performances, especially away from home, where it gets tight and difficult.”
Manchester City look to keep rolling when they host Burnley on Saturday.
City have won seven and drawn once, outscoring the opposition 29-4, and hold a two-point lead over neighbours Manchester United.
Burnley, meanwhile, have lost only once and sit between Arsenal and Liverpool in seventh.
“It’s a big one coming up on Saturday, very tough,” Burnley manager Sean Dyche told the Lancashire Telegraph.
“I think we all know the real markers in this division, where teams are, and we know where we are.
“We’re still progressing, we still know we’ve got work to do, to keep nudging forward.”
United aim to keep the pressure on City when they travel to Huddersfield, while Watford look to spring another surprise at Chelsea.
The Hornets’ win over Arsenal lifted them up to fourth, two points ahead of the defending champions.
West Ham and Brighton open the weekend action today, with Newcastle hosting Crystal Palace, Bournemouth visiting Stoke, Swansea taking on Leicester City and West Brom at Southampton on Saturday.