After recording their best ever August points tally under Mauricio Pochettino (P3, W3), Tottenham came back to earth with a bump last week, losing 2-1 at Watford (both conceded from set pieces) for their first Premier League (PL) September defeat since 2014/15 – they haven’t lost two in September since 2009/10.
‘Spurs’ now return to Wembley where they have lost just twice since the start of last season (W14, D4, L2), and scored in each of their last 25 games (all comps.).
Liverpool top the early season standings (P4, W4) and have been scoring freely, similar to last season, but it’s their defensive record this campaign which has been understated – letting in just one goal, and conceding just ten in 17 PL matches overall when starting Virgil van Dijk.
‘The Reds’ last started a top-flight season with four straight wins in 1990/91, when they finished second to Arsenal. The last time they won their first five was in 1978/79, when they went on to win their first six games and win the title!
Tottenham are unbeaten in the last three H2H meetings at home (W1, D2) and have only lost twice to Liverpool in the last ten home league games (W6, D2, L2).
Players to watch: Lucas Moura (Tottenham) has forced himself into the side this season and currently leads his team’s goal scoring count with three.
Sadio Mané (Liverpool) has flown out of the gates, netting four in four games and currently shares the Golden Boot lead.
Stat attack: Tottenham’s last five PL matches have produced three or more goals.
Spurs have won eight-straight matches with match referee Michael Oliver in charge. Oliver has officiated Liverpool on 33 occasions, with the Reds only winning 14.
Both teams have scored in four of the last five PL H2H matches.
Liverpool have been leading at HT/FT in their last five PL matches.