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The Tottenham Hotspur XI that Will Take Down Liverpool

By Aaron Coe

Tottenham Hotspur's French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (L) makes a save from a header by Chelsea's US midfielder Christian Pulisic (R) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur's French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (L) makes a save from a header by Chelsea's US midfielder Christian Pulisic (R) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Tottenham Hotspur's Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
Tottenham Hotspur’s Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Tottenham XI – Midfield

The battle of the midfield is going to be significant in this game. In the perfect world Reguilon and Doherty are able to neutralize Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, which will limit some of the activity. Liverpool rely on defenders moving wide to cover the flanks to open spaces in the channels for Firminho to play. Covering those channels and supporting the fullbacks, while linking with the attack is the tall order for the Tottenham Midfield three.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (CM)

Pierre Højbjerg  was not happy or satisfied with the draw at Palace, but seems to understand that sometimes that happens. Højbjerg is going to be a key player in this match if he can help keep tabs on Firminho who likes to drop deep like Harry Kane. If Højbjerg can find ways to step into that space and let the center-halves sit a bit deeper it will help provide some real cover. Even more important, we need to see Højbjerg spur the attack forward and help get the ball to Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min.

Moussa Sissoko (CM)

We see a familiar pairing next to Højbjerg, as Moussa Sissoko works alongside the Dane to help close the channels and control the Liverpool attack. As the fullbacks drift wide to cover the wingbacks of Liverpool the space between the defenders expands creating room for the offense to exploit. Those gaps between the fullback and center-half are where Sissoko will spend most of his evening as Spurs try to prevent entry passes into the box.

Tanguy Ndombele (CAM)

Tanguy Ndombele returned to the line-up for Tottenham against Crystal Palace after missing the Arsenal match and was okay for his customary hour. It was really a match that was screaming for Ndombele to take over in the second half as Spurs struggled to maintain possession. It will be paramount that Tottenham does not squander possession against a team at efficient in attack as Liverpool and that means Ndombele needs to be great. His spins and pirouettes around defenders are not just highlight real material but rather build confidence in the team necessary for success.