A repeat of the 2019 Champions League final is set to play out at Anfield this weekend, and both sides are desperate for the points.
Liverpool have taken all but two points from those available, and Spurs are in a rut of bad form and could use the mental boost a decent result at Anfield would bring.
The boss has rallied his players in his column for the club’s official programme. “One of England and Europe’s top clubs is here on Merseyside, hungry for points. We must be ready to fight with all we have,” he’s quoted as saying by the club’s site.
“We know from experience how tough an opponent Red Star Belgrade are, because of our battles against them last season. The confidence and belief Tottenham showed in comprehensively beating them should silence anyone foolish enough to think they have dropped off at all.
“Anyone with an ounce of knowledge of their side knows they are even stronger than last term. They have added quality to their ranks and kept their key players again. And they have their world-class leader in the dugout.
“The truth about [Pochettino’s] management is that he always improves teams. His sides progress. They get better season on season. I look at Spurs now and I know they have all the tools to be right in the conversation for trophies domestically and in Europe over the next eight months or so.”
Both sides come into the game having just won comfortably in the Champions League group stage so anything is possible, but it’s hard to tell which Liverpool and Spurs will turn up.
Both teams are capable of playing anyone off the park, but both are also susceptible of putting in a sub-par shift which could result in a lacklustre overall performance.