Brendan Rodgers Will Have Our Revenge on the Lane: Tottenham Preview

No amount of yelling made a difference…

We’re used to midweek matches by now; at the beginning of the season, I was lamenting our return to Europe with some serious romanticism. With this Europa League thingy taking its toll, my attitude has changed slightly — but this Wednesday won’t carry the same kind of disinterest and apathy that we’re becoming accustomed to — this one means something.

In case you’ve forgotten, the last time we went to White Hart Lane: Luka Modric made our midfield look as average as can be, two red cards reduced us to nine men, Emmanuel Adebayor scored a brace on his home debut, any glimmering hope of a push for the summit was extinguished and four unanswered goals left us reeling for weeks to come. In short, I want revenge.

We keep saying we need to build on previous performances — we’re unbeaten in eight matches — but after the dour scoreless draw on the Gaffers return to the Liberty Stadium, it looks like we’re still trying to get a loan for materials. There was little to separate the sides as two very Rodgersesque teams cancelled each other into oblivion. A Jose Enrique goal ruled out for offside was the closest either team came to breaking the deadlock, but the Reds can take heart in their defensive performance as Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel kept an attacking Swans side at bay.

In contrast, Tottenham broke a three match win-less streak with a 3-1 win over local rivals West Ham United at the weekend. Jermaine Defoe sandwiched a brace between a Gareth Bale strike as the home side took the Hammers to the cleaners. Ironically, it would Andy Carroll — Liverpool’s £35mil man who’s spending the season on loan in London — that would score his side’s consolation goal as the clock ran down. The Reds, languishing in the wrong half of the table, are still only four points off their hosts and a win in London would boost their hopes of rolling into the all important next few weeks with their heads in the right place.

It’s relieving to know that new Spurs boss André Villas-Boas is not the Messiah; we were heavily linked with a move for the Portuguese manager during our hunt for Kenny Dalglish’s successor during the summer. The former Chelsea boss was looking for a “project” and at White Hart Lane he seems to have found what he was looking for; despite Spurs getting the better of us in recent seasons, their very much a side in transition after stumbling their way through the close of last season and losing some important players in the summer. Still, the London side are continually punching above their weight and pull results where you’d least expect; exactly what we need to learn to do.

Tomorrow, at White Hart Lane, would be a great place to start. Luis Suarez remains our most potent attacking threat with his 10 league goals, though fatigue has become a major factor as the season wears on. Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, Joe Allen and the Uruguayan marksman are all feeling — and showing — the strain on our thin squad as we get bogged down in the weeds. Brendan Rodgers has been quick to dull expectations for January; player recruitment, especially a striker, has been on our lips since the summer window closed, but it’s hard to tell whether this is a realist speaking freely or if the feints within feints have started already.

Winning as many matches as possible is always the aim and getting out of London with full points continues to be the priority and this, despite suggestions to the contrary, is a winnable game. The festive fixture list is upon us and the matches won’t be slowing down anytime soon. Now’s the time to claw our way out of the wrong half of the table; an eight match unbeaten streak isn’t all that good is you’re only racking up one point at a time. Let’s make this one count and get some revenge while we’re at it, shall we?

steven.

Haven’t picked up the new Liverpool home kit yet? Read our review right here and then head over to Soccerpro.com and get your own.

Steven McMillan

Can’t find up from down or tell black from white, but doesn't care cause it’s all Red to him. When he's not pissing and moaning about all things Liverpool, he’s chatting nonsense with his multiple personalities — or his “entourage” as he likes to call them.

10 thoughts on “Brendan Rodgers Will Have Our Revenge on the Lane: Tottenham Preview

  • November 27, 2012 at 4:16 am
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    Can’t see it myself.

  • November 27, 2012 at 4:44 am
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    You do have a chance, we seem to struggle against the average teams in the league at home.

  • November 27, 2012 at 5:31 am
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    mirin you’re jaw lol

  • November 27, 2012 at 5:35 am
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    Yawn. Another deluded Liverpool fans living in past glroiry. Ancient glory to be exact.. Spurs punching above our own weight.? take out your tianted glass and understand that we are better than Liverpool for years already. .

  • November 27, 2012 at 7:09 am
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    Quite an arrogant article, Spurs are not punching above their weight infact this season I don’t think we’ve reached the heights were capable of. I do have a softspot for Liverpool though as I enjoy that feeling when I realise no matter how bad things can get you guys seem to still make us look good! COYS!

  • November 27, 2012 at 9:05 am
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    you cant even beat swansea away, yes you do have a chance, NO CHANCE coys

  • November 28, 2012 at 12:43 am
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    i was two years old the last time you Spurs won a European trophy (not even the big one) and your last FA Cup win was 11 years ago….
    i suppose ancient glory — like 2005 and 2006 — is better than no glory at all.

  • November 28, 2012 at 12:47 am
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    it is quite arrogant to say that our side needs to emulate your sides ability to
    grind out a result where you wouldn’t expect them to…i fail to see where i say we’re doing any better.

    forgive me.

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