LIVERPOOL get an early opportunity of a second successive Premiership victory, and seventh in a row at Anfield. Three points from this lunchtime kick-off would be sufficient to lift the Merseysiders into the top five after a slow start to the League season.
Wednesday's 2-0 home victory over Newcastle, courtesy of Dirk Kuyt's first goal for the club and Xabi Alonso's spectacular long range effort, was only Liverpool's second win of this Premiership campaign, but their widest margin of victory from nine League and Cup games this term. Now manager Rafael Benitez will be looking for another encouraging performance ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Galatasaray at Anfield.
The Merseysiders have lost only one of the last eight Premiership meetings with Spurs. Liverpool inflicted on Tottenham their heaviest ever League defeat, with a 7-0 thrashing at Anfield on 2 September 1978.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR have failed to live up to the early season promise, and head for Merseyside in search of a first goal and point on their Premiership travels. A clear two goal victory would see them leapfrogging the Reds in the table.
Martin Jol's side have failed to score in four of their five League games to date and own the joint weakest attack in the highest League. Bottom placed Sheffield United and Spurs have each scored just two goals so far. The Londoners did manage to net one without reply against Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic. The return leg of that Uefa Cup first round tie is on Thursday.
The Londoners have managed only one Premiership maximum at Anfield - a 1-2 triumph on 25 August 1993 when Teddy Sheringham scored both their goals - one from the penalty spot. Since then, Tottenham have drawn four and lost eight of 12 visits to Liverpool.
REFEREE
Howard Webb (Yorkshire)
Premiership referees' table
Howard Webb's 2006-07 Premiership card count
SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM
LIVERPOOL
Club stats
Fixtures
9th 7 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 5th
Lowest could fall: 13th
1. This is Liverpool's 550th match in the Premier League, and 275th at home.
2. Beaten Fulham, Everton, Bolton and Aston Villa, last season, and West Ham and Newcastle this season in the last six Premiership games at Anfield.
3. Won 16 and drawn two of the last 18 home League matches.
4. The 1-4 reverse to Chelsea on 2 October last year, is Liverpool's only defeat in 28 Premiership matches on home turf.
5. Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Newcastle, saw Liverpool keep a clean sheet for the first time in eight top flight outings.
6. Failed to score in one of 19 home League games (0-0 v Charlton on 4 March).
7. Conceded the opening goal in four of their five League matches to date.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Club stats
Fixtures
16th 4 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 9th
Lowest could fall: BOTTOM
1. This is Tottenham's 550th League game, and 275th away from home.
2. Lost the last three away Premiership matches against West Ham last season, and Bolton and Manchester United this season.
3. Drawn one and lost three League games on the road, since winning 0-1 against Everton at Goodison on 15 April.
4. One of three clubs yet to score away from home in the highest League this term. The others are Sheffield United and Blackburn.
KEY PLAYER NOTES/POTENTIAL MILESTONES
LIVERPOOL
Squad profiles
If they participate, Fabio AURELIO and John Arne RIISE will be playing on the eve of their respective 27th and 26th birthdays.
If on the field from the outset, Steve FINNAN will be making his 450th career League start (Birmingham, Notts Co, Fulham and Liverpool).
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Squad profiles
If he plays, Danny MURPHY will be facing his former club. The England midfielder made 249 appearances in all competitions for the Reds between 1997 and 2004.
Jermain DEFOE needs to score a double to total 100 club goals in his career (West Ham, Bournemouth and Spurs).
DEFOE is also a hat trick shy of 50 Premiership goals.
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
14 January 2006 - Ref: Dermot Gallagher
Liverpool scorer: Kewell 59
Sent Off: Stalteri (Spurs) 87
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
Home and away
League: Liverpool 58 wins, Spurs 35, Draws 33
Prem: Liverpool 12 wins, Spurs 7, Draws 8
HEAD TO HEAD at Liverpool
League: Liverpool 40 wins, Spurs 5, Draws 18
Prem: Liverpool 9 wins, Spurs 1, Draws 4
