Reds have point to prove at Wembley

Liverpool will not have happy memories of their last visit to Wembley Stadium and will head south with a point to prove against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Eleven months ago, Jurgen Klopp’s side were swept aside 4-1 by a rampant Tottenham, leading to a bout of navel-gazing that, as it transpired, helped transform Liverpool’s season.

The defensive lapses that undermined them that day were soon eradicated, the goals began to flow and with the addition of central defender Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in January, Liverpool became a force to be reckoned with.

The damage had already been done though and, like every other contender, they never got anywhere near a Manchester City side that strolled to the Premier League title.

They did reach the Champions League final and have continued the momentum into the new campaign, topping the table with four wins from four, scoring nine goals and conceding one.

Tottenham began with three wins but slipped up in their last game before the international break, losing 2-1 at Watford who are surprise joint leaders.

Early in the season it may be, but the lunchtime clash will offer a pointer as to which club can push on and make a credible challenge to a City side who host Fulham.

Tottenham’s starting lineup will be similar to the one that started last year’s fixture after the London club bucked the trend by spending nothing in the transfer window.

Liverpool splashed out in the region of £160m (R3bn) on the likes of Naby Keita, versatile Brazilian Fabinho, Brazil keeper Alisson and Swiss playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri from relegated Stoke City.

Watford’s best-ever start to a top-flight season will be put to the test as they take on a Manchester United side without striker Marcus Rashford, who was sent off in their moraleboosting win against Burnley.