Premier League pundits Chris Sutton and Paul Merson have delivered opposing verdicts for Tottenham Hotspur's crucial home fixture against Liverpool this Saturday. The match comes after a turbulent week for both clubs, with Spurs reeling from a poor defeat and Liverpool navigating internal issues and the absence of Mohamed Salah.
Pressure Mounts for Frank as Spurs Seek Response
Tottenham's momentum was abruptly halted last weekend with a disappointing performance and defeat to Nottingham Forest. The result leaves Thomas Frank's side in 11th place in the table, now four points behind seventh-placed Liverpool. Frank's frustration was palpable post-match, with the manager describing feeling like there was "a hurricane inside him."
While Spurs have won their last two home games, against Brentford and Slavia Prague, this encounter represents a far sterner test of their credentials. Liverpool manager Arne Slot is also under scrutiny, with his team's title defence faltering and a public falling-out with star forward Mohamed Salah, who is now away at the African Cup of Nations.
Liverpool's Double Fitness Boost Ahead of Clash
In a significant boost for the visitors, Liverpool will welcome back two key players. Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong have both been passed fit and are available for selection at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Slot provided an update, stating, "Dominik trained yesterday, parts of the training, for the first time so let's see where he is today. Jeremie is in the squad again as well." He added that a final decision on Szoboszlai's involvement would depend on how the player feels after completing training sessions. Tottenham, by contrast, have no immediate returns from injury, with long-term absentees like Dominic Solanke still unavailable.
Contrasting Views from the Pundits
The build-up to the match has been defined by divergent expert opinions. Writing for BBC Sport, Chris Sutton predicted a 1-1 draw. He pointed to the flaws in both sides, noting Spurs' lack of fluency under Frank and Liverpool's occasional vulnerabilities, especially away from home.
"I certainly don't trust Spurs to turn up, but I don't think you can fully trust Liverpool either," Sutton argued. He also highlighted the potential dilemma for Slot if Szoboszlai, whom he called Liverpool's best midfielder, has to cover at right-back due to Joe Gomez's injury.
In stark contrast, Paul Merson, writing for SportsKeeda, has forecast a comfortable away win. Merson predicted a 3-1 victory for Liverpool, citing Tottenham's atrocious display at Forest and the Reds' unbeaten run of five games.
"Liverpool have not set the world alight with their performances but they are unbeaten in their last five games with three wins. I can see them beating Tottenham comfortably," Merson wrote. He also urged Slot to start Hugo Ekitike ahead of Alexander Isak, praising the forward's impact.
The stage is set for a pivotal Premier League encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with both teams desperate for a positive result to steer their respective seasons back on course. The conflicting expert views only add to the intrigue surrounding Saturday's fixture.
