Whoever leaves Anfield tomorrow with all three points will be massive favourites to finish fifth and qualify for the Europa League so it’s all to play for between Liverpool and Tottenham.
When Roy Hodgson was sacked at the beginning of the year, the red half of Merseyside were gearing themselves up for a relegation battle, a few months on an they are sitting in fifth postion. The job Kenny Dalgleish has done since taking temporary charge of the team cannot be underestimated. He had instilled passion, pride, desire and not least, ability amongst his players. He has had to contend with the sale of Fernando Torres in January and used the £50m for to purchase Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll. Both have contributed to the charge up the table whilst those already at the club look like completely different specimens. It’s amazing what confidence does for a team, especially considering the amount of criticism they were owed from their performance in the first half of the season. Losing game after game, feeble efforts from top players and morale at an all time low. The transformation in such a short space of time has been remarkable and even more so considering their captain, and often saviour, Steven Gerrard has been missing for much of this period. The team have certainly not missed their talisman, if anything, others have stepped up to the plate and performed with credit.
They head into tomorrow’s match knowing that King Kenny will be in place for another three years. It wil not only provide stability but confidence that they can mount a serious title challenge next season for the first time since they led the league in 2008.
Tottenham can be proud of their season despite falling just short of achieving another Champions League spot. They were successful in Europe as well, progressing to the Quarter Finals only to be knocked out by Real Madrid. Harry Redknapp will no doubt be disappointed that they have nothing to show for their efforts but he will be aware that his squad is not far short of really challenging for the top honours in both domestic, and European competition. They have failed to achieve consistency, especially in the latter part of the season and their chances of a second successive fourth placed finish all be evaporated after being held to a 1-1 draw with Blackpool last weekend. That was confirmed in midweek after losing 1-0 to Man City who filled the position this time around. Redknapp will do well to keep hold of key players, especially Gareth Bale and Luca Modric. After such impressive seasons, particularly in Europe, bigger clubs may well be hovering so that could be one of the manager’s biggest challenges over the summer months.
Spurs last won at Anfield in 1993, a terrible record for such an illustrious club. They have to win in order to finish above tomorrow’s oppnents whilst Liverpool know that if they are victorious then they will finish fifth and cap a tremendous finish to the season. The home side definitely have form on their side as they have won five of their last seven and have not been defeated at home this calendar year.
Tottenham have it all to do tomorrow as they have not won in six and have to play against a side who are scoring for fun. I strongly fancy Liverpool to gain all three points.
My Selection: Liverpool to beat
Best odds available: 4/5
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