Liverpool v Tottenham preview
Luis Suarez will fall back under the spotlight on tonight as he makes his return from an eight-match ban in Liverpool’s home date with Tottenham.
The Uruguay international may be short of match sharpness after spending over a month on the sidelines, but he is expected to be thrown straight back into the fold by Kenny Dalglish.
His presence will be welcomed by the Reds, as they attempt to offer their top-four push a timely boost and dent the title aspirations of a rival.
Liverpool’s home record this season suggests they should fancy their chances of taking something from the game, with table-toppingManchester City the only other side yet to taste defeat in front of their own supporters this season.
While the Reds will be pleased with their form at Anfield, they have been held on seven occasions already this term and know that those stalemates have prevented them from surging into the UEFA Champions League places.
Goals have also been something of a problem for Liverpool this season, with 28 netted in 23 games, but the return of Suarez will help to bolster Dalglish’s firepower.
Victory for Tottenham would see them cement their standing in third place and allow them to close to within five points of City at the summit.
Harry Redknapp’s record against Liverpool as Spurs boss makes for impressive reading, with six wins taken from eight meetings in all competitions.
The North London outfit have struggled at Anfield in recent times, though, with a 2-0 victory in May 2011 bringing to an end a 16-match winless run on the red half of Merseyside.
Spurs will be hoping for more of the same on Monday, but they have won only one of their last four fixtures on the road.
Team news
Suarez is set to be named in Dalglish’s matchday squad, with the Liverpool boss excited by the prospect of seeing the Uruguayan work alongside Andy Carroll and Steven Gerrard.
Suarez has not played since Boxing Day, though, and may have to make do with a place among the substitutes.
Talismanic skipper Gerrard is back in contention having been rested for the midweek win at Wolves.
New signing Louis Saha could make his Tottenham debut at Anfield.
Jermain Defoe (hamstring) is unlikely to play, Rafael van der Vaart is struggling with a calf problem and Emmanuel Adebayor hobbled off during Tuesday’s win over Wigan with a hamstring complaint.
Aaron Lennon (hamstring) is extremely doubtful, William Gallas (calf) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle) are unavailable, but Kyle Walker (groin) and Ledley King (knee) should be fit.
