Layoff plus Liverpool a potentially dangerous combination for Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur is supposed to be back in action on Sunday evening in north London, hosting Liverpool, just the team you do not want to see after a layoff. 

One might think two weeks without a game in the middle of the season, shortly after hiring a new coach would be a good thing. However, the last two weeks have been anything but good for Tottenham Hotspur, as Covid-19 ripped through the team and the facility was shut down.

Now two postponements and likely a cancellation – sorry Conference League – later and Spurs are supposed to be back in action. Unfortunately for Tottenham, their opponent is Liverpool, who is exactly not the kind of team you want to face after a layoff.

No time for Tottenham to be rusty

It will have been a full 14-days since Spurs last played, beating Norwich 3-0 back on 5 December. Since then, Spurs have missed three matches, while Liverpool has played three – two in the League and one in Europe. Coming off a come-from-behind, 3-1 win over Newcastle, one would expect the Reds to be sharp.

After two weeks off, however, it is hard to envision Tottenham being sharp to start, as players will look to shake off the rust. Add in a squad that is not at full strength with several players recovering and Spurs have every reason to start slow and take some time to get going. Unfortunately, Liverpool is not the kind of team that gives you time and Tottenham must be ready from the off.

Liverpool unbeaten after taking the lead

Liverpool has scored first in 13 of their 17 league matches this season and has gone on to win 11 of those 13. Only Manchester City and Brighton – both 2-2 draws in October – have managed to come from behind to get anything off the Reds. Typically when Liverpool score early, they end up scoring late as well.

The Reds have managed to score in every game this season and have scored more than 1 goal in 14 of their 17 games. With their 23 first-half goals bettered by their 24 goals in the second half, Liverpool scores almost at will, especially after that first one hits, this means Spurs must be ready from the opening kickoff or it could be a bad evening in north London.