When teams are challenging for the title, grinding out results is as important as registering emphatic victories and that is what Liverpool exactly did in midweek with a gritty 2-1 victory over Sunderland.
The Reds proved that they are not only capable of outscoring the opposition with their attractive brand of football, but also putting in a professional display to earn the all important three points and on that evidence, Brendan Rodgers’ side seem to posses all the traits of the would-be champions.
However, there is a lot of work still left to be done for Liverpool if they are to end their long wait for a Premier League title, starting with a tough clash against Champions League chasing Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. The Reds completely embarrassed Spurs in the reverse fixture with a 5-1 victory, but Tottenham are a completely different proposition under Tim Sherwood and Rodgers’ side can certainly expect a much more difficult clash this time around.
Goalkeeper
Simon Mignolet did not have too much to do against Sunderland but when called into action, the Belgian international was very solid. Mignolet can certainly expect to be much busier against Tottenham in the weekend and will certainly have to be at his solid best to thwart the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor and Christian Eriksen.
Defence
Rodgers resisted the urge to make any changes to his defensive line in the game against Sunderland and with the back four putting up a much more impressive display on Wednesday night, the Northern Irishman once again looks set go with an unchanged lineup at the back which, means that Jon Flanagan, Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho and Glen Johnson will all retain their place in the starting lineup.
The likes of Mamdou Sakho, Aly Cissokho and Martin Kelly will be in contention as well, if there is a late injury setback.
Midfield
The evergreen Steven Gerrard has admirably led Liverpool this season and will be marshalling his troops from midfield alongside Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen.
Philippe Coutinho was once again impressive in the win over Sunderland but given the frantic rate at which the games are approaching; Rodgers may well elect to hand another one his young stars in Raheem Sterling a start ahead of the Brazilian playmaker.
The likes of Iago Aspas, Victor Moses and Lucas are also available but will probably have to be content with a place on the bench.
Strikers
The duo of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge were not at their devastating best against Sunderland, but that was probably down to the way the Black Cats were set-up. The two will certainly have more spaces to work with against Tottenham and could run riot against the shaky Spurs defence.
(4-5-1)
Mignolet; Flanagan, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson; Sturridge, Henderson, Gerrard, Allen, Sterling; Suarez
