Tottenham v Liverpool pundits' predictions: Soccer Saturday duo preview Premier League clash

Phil Thompson

• Where Everton went wrong

"The Evertonians will have been so embarrassed by the result against Liverpool. There were 8,0000 of them thinking it was their moment, and for them to be undone by a gang of kids was just devastating for them. I think it was a reality check.

"This is a game where Everton were coming into it, they knew they were playing Liverpool, and once they saw the team they may have thought it would have been easy. The focus had been totally lost. They came out in the first half and everything went to plan. They had great chances and were the better team.

"Slowly but surely, they lost their focus and Liverpool kept the ball far better than what they did in the first half. The frustration then set in for Everton. Confidence then lacked and we saw the poor old failings of Everton, and why they have struggled so far this season.

"Certain players could not perform and you could think they may have had a late rally in the last 10 minutes but they had lost all composure. It was an absolute mess for Everton.

"Carlo Ancelotti now knows what he has got and what he needs in the future. It is probably a taller order than what he thought. He is not used to having a vision or a project as such, which at his age, you have to have a four or five-year pan.

"He is a top-class manager and has been at top-class clubs, but there has always been more to work to than what he has at Everton.

"I think we have to congratulate the young players at Liverpool, who were immense, confident, and wiling to get on the ball after a difficult first half.

"They showed their quality, but the performance of Adam Lallana was nothing short of sensational. There was a lot of pressure on his shoulders when James Milner went off, and he was truly magnificent."

• Spurs' approach?

"Without Harry Kane, on top of some of the other injuries, if you are a top player and you are worth your place in the Premier League, you will respond. You will respond to your club and that way you will get the best out of them.

"When Kane has been out before, you have seen players step up, particularly Heung-min Son, and it made people think that Kane was not as missed as much.

"As for Liverpool, this is the big game that against Tottenham, they have been stung by before. There are times where we have played very well too, so it is one of the tough ones that you look at, and Liverpool have to be at it.

"Tottenham will come out of the blocks, and Jose Mourinho will have them rallied, as with every team he has managed against Liverpool. Liverpool have to be ready."

• Key battle?

"It has to be in midfield. Who will play for Tottenham as Moussa Sissoko is out? Will it be Eric Dier and Harry Winks?

"They are a bit similar and there is no real attacking thrust from them. The energy of the Liverpool midfield three will be a big factor in the game, and the positioning of Roberto Firmino too.

"If he starts getting between the lines, and the midfield players do not do their jobs, that can be the influence on the game. That midfield area will be the big one for me."

Prediction: Tottenham 1-3 Liverpool (12/1 with Sky Bet)

Charlie Nicholas

"It is a cracking game. Harry Kane and Moussa Sissoko are out. Jose Mourinho never makes injuries an excuse, but he knows they are in a struggle with the availability, which he has come out and said. That sounds like an excuse!

"Liverpool are rolling along like a beautiful train. Every player is thriving, but not everyone is playing brilliantly. Jurgen Klopp was spot on when he said they could improve - if the front three hit form at the same time they will blow teams away.

"Sadio Mane has been the Player of the Year for me as it stands right now. Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino are still chipping in, the midfield is doing their job, and the defence is nowhere near as good, although the two full backs have been unstoppable.

"If you block the wide areas, you force them to go through the middle. Jose has always been the manager who will get a result from this sort of game. He will block the wide areas and will highlight where the real dangers lie.

"He may play Lucas Moura down the middle and Heung-min Son out the left, and try to bring in players to counter-attack and block the path of the full backs. It will not stop the title march; it may deflect it for a while but I think Liverpool will be happy with a point from this.

"It will be an away performance from Tottenham in this one, but it is the only way you can stop them."

Prediction: Tottenham 1-1 Liverpool (13/2 with Sky Bet)

More on Spurs v Liverpool on Sporting Life

Runaway Reds too hot for Spurs

Jose Mourinho would love to end Liverpool's unbeaten run, but Paul Higham says Spurs will struggle to lay a glove on the leaders in Saturday's big game.

Spurs able without Kane?

Without Harry Kane, Tottenham fans may get a first glimpse of Jose Mourinho parking the bus against Liverpool. Alex Keble explores the tactics.

Odds correct as of 0930 GMT on 10/01/20

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