Two of the main challengers for the fourth and final Champions League place will clash at Anfield with both sides needing a win after draws at the weekend. Liverpool will again be without key creative trio Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun, while midfielder Lucas also misses out because of suspension. Tottenham are chasing a sixth successive clean sheet in the Premier League but England winger Aaron Lennon is expected to miss the trip to Merseyside.

Quick Check

Liverpool

  • Argentine midfielder Maxi Rodriguez is in contention to make his full debut.
  • Liverpool have won taken ten points from their last five league games.
  • The Reds have not lost to Tottenham at Anfield since 1998.
  • Midfielder Lucas is unavailable as he serves a one-match ban.
  • Captain Steven Gerrard will be sidelined for another ten days with a hamstring strain.
  • Leading scorer Fernando Torres is out for up to si x weeks after a knee operation.
  • Midfielder Yossi Benayoun is facing a month out with a fractured rib.
  • Full back Glen Johnson could be out until March after undergoing knee surgery.
  • Winger Albert Riera remains sidelined by a hamstring strain.
  • Liverpool have conceded last -minute goals in their last two games.

Tottenham Hotspurs

  • Tottenham have kept clean sheets in five successive league games for the first time since 2001.
  • The north Londoners are unbeaten in their last four away matches.
  • Spurs have a 100 per cent record in the Premier League when leading at half-time.
  • Harry Redknapp’s team has won three of the last four meetings between the two sides.
  • Tottenham beat the Reds 2-1 on the opening day of the season.
  • Aaron Lennon and Benoit Assou-Ekotto are still doubtful with groin injuries.
  • Ledley King is still troubled by a knee injury.
  • Defensive colleague Jonathan Woodgate remains sidelined by a long-term groin problem.
  • Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini is expected to miss the rest of the campaign after a serious motorbike accident

Expert Advice

Any hopes that Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez had that 2010 would bring a welcome change in fortune have already been shattered with the loss of his best players. But the Reds showed a steely determination and resolve at Stoke last weekend that has been missing for most of the season and they will not give up a Champions League place without a fight. The biggest problem for them looks to be finding someone who will take on the responsibility of scoring the goals in the absence of Torres and Gerrard. Tottenham’s form over the first half of the season has already shown that they are realistic contenders for a top-four place and the pressure is now on Harry Redknapp’s side to maintain their challenge. The continued absence of Aaron Lennon is a blow and they drew a blank against Hull last Saturday but seem sure to pose problems for the home side with the likes of Defoe, Crouch and former Reds star Keane among their strike force. It’s possible Tottenham could record their first win at Anfield since 1998 but the match looks difficult to pick a winner and Betsson’s odds of 2.10 for there to be over 2.5 goals appears a better bet.

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