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Tottenham to test Liverpool’s title credentials as Watford eye Man Utd
scalp
LONDON, Sept 14, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – A perfect start from their opening four
games has raised expectations over Liverpool’s title credentials, but Jurgen
Klopp’s men face their first serious test of the Premier League campaign at
Tottenham on Saturday.
After dismissing West Ham 4-0 on the opening weekend of the season,
Liverpool have had to show a more resilient approach in narrow victories over
Crystal Palace, Brighton and Leicester, compared to the free-scoring side
that romped to the Champions League final last season.
Indeed, the only goal the Reds have conceded so far this term came from a
howler by œ65-million ($84 million) goalkeeper Alisson Becker in trying to
dribble his way out of trouble at Leicester.
The installation of Joe Gomez alongside Virgil van Dijk at centre-back,
allied to the continued improvement of young full-backs Andrew Robertson and
Trent Alexander-Arnold and the addition of Alisson, makes the current
Liverpool defence far harder to breach than on their last visit to Wembley.
Harry Kane ran riot back then in October last year, scoring twice and
forcing Klopp to substitute Dejan Lovren after just 30 minutes as Spurs
cruised to a 4-1 win.
Kane will be keen to get back among the goals with lingering questions
over his early-season form and fitness in a World Cup hangover since picking
up the Golden Boot in Russia.
And there will be even more responsiblity on Kane’s shoulders with captain
Hugo Lloris and Dele Alli ruled out through injury.
Defeat at Watford just before the international break punctured Spurs’ own
push to be considered title contenders.
But victory will take them level with Liverpool at the top of the table
for at least a few hours before other front-runners Chelsea, Watford and
Manchester City are in action later on Saturday.
– More United woe at Watford? –
Watford are the early surprise package of the season thanks to four
straight wins to stand alongside pace-setters Liverpool and Chelsea.
Hornets boss Javi Gracia has earned a reputation for big scalps, upending
Barcelona and Real Madrid during his time in Spain with Malaga, and thrashing
Chelsea 4-1 in his first match in charge at Vicarage Road to go with victory
over Spurs two weeks ago.
United got back on track with a comfortable win at Burnley before the
international break to calm the storm surrounding Jose Mourinho’s future.
But should Mourinho’s men suffer a third defeat in five league games, the
chances of catching the likes of Liverpool and City would already look
forlorn.
– Pellegrini needs points –
At the other end of the table, West Ham remain the only side without a
point after four games despite a huge transfer spend of nearly œ100 million
over the summer.
Former Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini has not just been backed in the
transfer market, but also with the patience of the Hammers hierarchy.
However, the Chilean is now the favourite to be the first Premier League
manager of the season to be sacked and his odds will only shorten if he fails
to inspire a response away to Everton on Sunday.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Saturday
Tottenham v Liverpool (1130), Bournemouth v Leicester, Chelsea v Cardiff,
Huddersfield v Crystal Palace, Manchester City v Fulham, Newcastle v Arsenal
(all 1400), Watford v Manchester United (1630)
Sunday
Wolves v Burnley (1230), Everton v West Ham (1500)
Monday
Southampton v Brighton (1900)
BSS/AFP/BZC/1200HRS