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Szoboszlai is back | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Pundits have been predicting Tottenham’s Premier League date with Liverpool on Saturday.
Tottenham are preparing to face Liverpool on Saturday as they look to bounce back from a hugely disappointing performance and defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend. Spurs saw their recent momentum halted at the City Ground, now in 11th spot and four points behind Liverpool in seventh.
The pressure on Thomas Frank has been ramped up, and that’s something Liverpool boss Arne Slot knows plenty about, with pressure on his role being turned up amid a disappointing Premier League title defence - or lack thereof - while the Dutchman also fell out with Mohamed Salah, though he says that issue has not been resolved, not that it matters too much with Salah off at the African Cup of Nations.
Liverpool handed double fitness boost
Tottenham are as they were last weekend for this one, with none of their long-term absentees like Dominic Solanke ready to return here, But Liverpool will welcome back Dominik Solanke and Jeremie Frimpong, who have both been passed fit.
Slot has said: “Dominik trained yesterday, parts of the training [session], for the first time so let's see where he is today and how he is tomorrow. Jeremie is in the squad again as well.
”If the player feels comfortable to play and he did all the things he had to do, then he will start. If he can fulfil the whole session or he fulfils it but he doesn't feel comfortable himself, we will have a discussion."
Chris Sutton’s prediction
Chris Sutton wrote in his column for BBC Sport: “At Tottenham, poor Thomas Frank is having a tough time of it. He was so furious after their defeat at Nottingham Forest that he said it feels like there is a hurricane inside him.
“I can understand why he is so angry, because Spurs were so limp and offered so little in that game. If you look at where they are in the table, 11th, then they are doing all right but it is their performances that are lacking something. They have never really found any fluency under Frank.
“They did win their past two home games and Frank can cling on to that but, the way Spurs fans are, they are probably thinking: 'It was only against Brentford and Slavia Prague.' Winning this game would be far more of a statement.
“Even though Mohamed Salah has left for Afcon, there are still questions over Liverpool too. Brighton had their moments last week and it was not entirely comfortable for Arne Slot's side, although I thought Hugo Ekitike was excellent.
“Liverpool could have another problem at right-back because Joe Gomez came off injured in that game. Dominik Szoboszlai has been their best player, in midfield, so if he recovers from the knock he picked up against the Seagulls but has to slot back in there, it would be a bit of a blow. I certainly don't trust Spurs to turn up, but I don't think you can fully trust Liverpool again either, especially away from home in the Premier League. Because of all of that, I can't back either of them to win it. Prediction: 1-1.”
Paul Merson’s predictions
Merson wrote for SportsKeeda: “Tottenham were atrocious last week against Nottingham Forest. If you take away the games against Brentford and Slavia Prague, Spurs have struggled so bad in recent weeks.
“I said to you before, the day Thomas Frank came out and called Tottenham fans out for not being real supporters, I thought he was done at the club! Spurs are 11th in the league now. If Newcastle draw, Bournemouth and Brentford win like I've predicted, Tottenham could be 14th or 15th by the end of the weekend, which is not good enough.
“Hugo Ekitike has to start ahead of Alexander Isak in this game. When we look at Isak's struggles, it just reminds us how important it is to have a proper pre-season. Liverpool could be in the top four or top five if they win, so they should play Ekitike.
“Who comes in for Salah on the right? There is the option of using Federico Chiesa and he deserves more minutes. But I just feel like Dominik Szoboszlai might play there in this game. His best position is in midfield, but Slot may use him there and deploy Curtis Jones in midfield.
“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. Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Liverpool.”
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