Liverpool face a huge test this Sunday as they head to Wembley to face Tottenham, but how have they fared in their last five meetings with Maurico Pochettino’s men?
The North London club have emerged as a force to be reckoned with under Pochettino, thanks largely to the brilliance of front man Harry Kane.
The Argentine, though, has failed to beat Liverpool since he took over, with Spurs’ last victory against the Reds coming way back in 2012.
So, why have they struggled against Jurgen Klopp’s side of late? Let’s take a look at the last five instalments of this fascinating fixture.
October 2015: Spurs 0-0 Liverpool
In Jurgen Klopp’s very first match at the helm, the Reds battled to a solid point at White Hart Lane.
Divock Origi went closest for the visitors, striking the crossbar, but it was Spurs who shaded the contest, with Harry Kane and Clinton N’Jie forcing Simon Mignolet to make two brilliant saves.
There were plenty of promising signs for the new manager, who embraced each of his exhausted players at full-time after ninety minutes of relentless pressing.
April 2016: Liverpool 1-1 Spurs
The two sides met again in the latter part of the season, with Spurs attempting to hunt down league leaders Leicester and Liverpool down in ninth, and played out another draw.
Philippe Coutinho put the Reds in front on 50 minutes, but they could not neutralise the threat of Harry Kane and the Englishman levelled things up just after the hour mark, firing home smartly on the turn.
Ultimately, the two goalkeepers ensured it remained a point apiece. Hugo Lloris denied Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana in the first half, while Mignolet kept out dangerous efforts from Christian Eriksen and Moussa Dembele.
“We are not sure we can always beat teams like these,” Klopp said after the match. “You have to learn to become a winner.”
August 2016: Spurs 1-1 Liverpool
Once again, there was nothing to split the two sides when the Reds made the trip to White Hart Lane in the early part of the 2016/17 season.
Liverpool edged it, with Coutinho forcing a great stop from Michel Vorm before James Milner opened the scoring from the spot just before the break.
The visitors also hit the crossbar through Joel Matip and had a goal controversially ruled out for offside, but were ultimately pegged back as Spurs rallied and Danny Rose drove home an equaliser.
The Reds, then, really ought to have picked up all three points, but it was still an impressive display at Tottenham’s fortress.
October 2016: Liverpool 2-1 Spurs
Two months on, the Reds entertained Spurs at Anfield in the League Cup and, this time, they had the edge.
Daniel Sturridge offered a reminder of his ability with a man-of-the-match display, scoring twice to see the home side into the quarter-finals.
He turned in the first on nine minutes before linking up with Divock Origi and stroking the ball underneath Vorm midway through the second half.
Spurs set up a nervy finish when Vincent Janssen beat Simon Mignolet with a 76th minute penalty, but in truth, a third goal for Liverpool looked more likely as Sturridge struck the bar and Danny Ings spurned a one-on-one.
Klopp’s men would go on to reach the semi-finals.
February 2017: Liverpool 2-0 Spurs
The Reds were in the midst of a wretched run when they next encountered Spurs, having gone five games without a win.
Sadio Mane, sorely missed in January as he featured in the Africa Cup of Nations, led the home side to a much-needed triumph with a quick-fire double in the first half.
Mane scored the opener after 16 minutes, holding off Ben Davies, who he tormented throughout the game, before duly dispatching.
Just 138 seconds later, he increased Liverpool’s advantage with an emphatic strike on the rebound after snatching possession in the middle of the park.
Son Heung-min went close for Tottenham, but the revitalised Reds comfortably saw the game out.
How they would love to have their fearsome talisman available for selection on Sunday!
