TOTTENHAM can cure their recent away day blues if they can find a repeat of their stunning 3-0 win at Old Trafford back in August. They’ve looked edgy, losing their last three on the road. Despite that, only Liverpool have more away points this season and they have scored more than anyone else. But their […]
TOTTENHAM can cure their recent away day blues if they can find a repeat of their stunning 3-0 win at Old Trafford back in August.
They’ve looked edgy, losing their last three on the road.
Despite that, only Liverpool have more away points this season and they have scored more than anyone else.
But their recent stats away from home have not been so pretty.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have only failed to score more than once on the road six times this season – but that includes the last three games.
And while they’ve been goal-shy of late, Spurs have also been too open at the back.
In those three games against Burnley, Chelsea and Southampton they conceded two in each, whereas they let in two or more just four times in their previous 13 games.
And the common denominator in each of those losses was that they had more possession.
These sides have been more than happy to frustrate Spurs, giving them the ball and looking to strike on the counter.
All six goals they conceded in those three games came in the second half.
Desperate to maintain their top four spot, they have looked nervy as the games have worn on, throwing men forward to try and get the win.
The prize for both teams is very different and with Liverpool at home the onus will be on them. And that should suit Spurs down to the ground.
Their best away performances this season have come when they are able to play on the counter themselves.
At Anfield, Jurgen Klopp’s side will almost certainly have the majority of the ball as they have to take it to Spurs in such an important game.
Pochettino will go there knowing his side are at their best on their travels when they can counter at pace.
And they need to use their brilliant 3-0 win at Old Trafford back in August as the blueprint.
They only had 43% of the ball but were absolutely ruthless on the break, with Harry Kane dropping deep to allow Lucas Moura to use his pace in behind to devastating effect.
Recently, when teams have sat deep against them there has been little room in behind and their forward players have been too close together.
But with Klopp’s team pushing on, space should be afforded for Christian Eriksen to get on the ball in between their defence and midfield.
Liverpool’s width will come from full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson.
So if they play quickly into Kane on the turnover, Spurs can be in business with the likes of Dele Alli and Son Heung-min exploiting that vacated space.
The first goal, as always, will be huge. For me Liverpool are the best counter-attacking in Europe, so in order to play that way they will want an early goal to draw Spurs out.
And Spurs will definitely fancy their chances of scoring at Anfield.
Pochettino’s side have failed to score only once away in the league all season –against Chelsea- and will back themselves to keep up that record tomorrow.
Twitter: @Higginbotham05
