Matchday: Tottenham 0 – 0 Liverpool

Good morning and afternoon! Tottenham is back from the international break! And better than ever? That last bit remains to be seen, though a result against Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool – words no one ever thought they’d say or type – would certainly help.

The only surprise from Tottenham’s end of things is Danny Rose’s start. His inclusion actually fits the club’s pattern this season: play Rose when the opposition aren’t a significant wide threat – Everton – play Davies when they are – Crystal Palace. Or perhaps Mauricio Pochettino just flips a coin when he wakes up on matchday.

The story here though is Mousa Dembélé and Dele Alli’s partnership in central midfield. Both have featured there before for Tottenham, though never together. On paper it seems like that neither one of them embodies the defensive aspect of defensive midfielder enough to do a job, but perhaps in conjunction they can manage some facsimile of what Eric Dier usually provides Tottenham.

Then again, few expected Dier to be as good as he has been for the team, so maybe everyone is in for a surprise.

More from Match Reports

• From glory, glory to gory, gory, for Mason and Tottenham Hotspur
• Ryan Mason’s Elegant Solution to Tottenham’s Problems
• Tottenham – Defensive needs show over last two games
• Tottenham Hotspur hold off Brighton in much needed 2-1 win
• Mason moves make the difference for lucky Tottenham against Brighton

Liverpool’s team has a surprise of its own: Divock Origi starts at the tip of the attack. Daniel Sturridge isn’t even on the bench. Distressing news for Klopp, welcome news for Pochettino. At his best and healthiest, Sturridge is one of the best strikers in the Premier League. Origi, in contrast, is widely considered to be among ormer Liverpool manager Brendan Rodger’s transfer market flops.

That’s mostly unfair though. This is the young Belgian striker’s first actual season with the club – he was sent back on loan to Lille in France’s Ligue 1 last season. While he did have a disappointing season there, maybe there’s no telling how he’ll do in his first Premier League start.

Tottenham

Liverpool

Should be a good match overall. Check back at halftime for some snap analysis and guesswork!

Next: Halftime