Liverpool Eyeing Massive Victory Against Tottenham in Premier League Showdown, Says Paul Merson

Paul Merson believes that a victory for Liverpool over Tottenham on Saturday, which will be broadcasted live on the We channel, would have a significant impact on Jurgen Klopp's team. Despite winning five matches and drawing one in their first six games, Liverpool are currently in second place in the Premier League. However, they are still behind Manchester City, the reigning champions, who have secured six consecutive victories.

Liverpool beating Spurs would be massive

The performance of Spurs in the initial 35 minutes against Arsenal left me rather unimpressed. It seemed quite similar to observing Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho's Spurs. However, had Gabriel Jesus managed to score for a 2-0 lead, the narrative would have taken a drastic turn. Instead, he misses an absolute sitter.

Tottenham Hotspur

Liverpool

Saturday 30th September 5:00pm

Kick off 5:30pm

What I liked about Tottenham after that is they kept on playing the way they like playing and I was so impressed with them.

I had expected Arsenal to have an easy victory, but Spurs managed to overcome deficits of 1-0 and 2-1, which is not their usual response. Credit should be given where it is due. I must say, they performed remarkably, and I can envision them being among the top four teams.

Destiny Udogie was truly exceptional. He received a booking early in the game and yet he faced the challenge of going up against Bukayo Saka, who is regarded as one of the best wingers globally. It is quite an accomplishment on his part.

Credit is due to Ange Postecoglou who expressed his trust in him, acknowledging his role as a full-back responsible for defending one-on-one situations and emphasizing the importance of staying on the field. Typically, a manager would substitute a player facing someone like Saka to prevent a red card. However, the manager's decision and Udogie's performance deserve praise.

Meanwhile, Liverpool still has plenty of work ahead. Manchester City currently dominates the league, exerting immense pressure on all teams. Their achievements are truly outstanding.

Liverpool is currently thriving due to their perseverance. It is crucial to approach each game methodically and avoid allowing their opponents to gain an early advantage.

Liverpool's greatest strength lies in their ability to secure draws against Tottenham and Brighton in the upcoming two weeks. This is advantageous as they still have two more matches against Manchester City, which they are capable of winning both times.

Tottenham Hotspur Liverpool

I've always said it from day one - Eddie Nketiah is not going to win you the Premier League.

A proper center forward is necessary. Nketiah cannot be solely blamed for the 2-2 draw with Tottenham, but with 32 games remaining and the upcoming Champions League matches, I doubt he can elevate the team to the next level. Even Gabriel Jesus may not be enough for that.

I had a strong belief that Arsenal would emerge victorious on Sunday. However, when I observed the lineup, I became greatly concerned. Jesus positioned on the wing, Nketiah leading the attack, and Fabio Vieira - I don't believe he possesses sufficient quality. Then, Declan Rice gets substituted and Jorginho enters the field.

Arsenal didn't field their strongest team on Sunday, which may have appeared weak considering their commitments in the Champions League. However, instead of simply pondering the need for a center forward, let's consider the available options.

In January, only Ivan Toney is their sole option as there is a scarcity of center forwards globally. They have become a rare species.

During a recent conversation with Michael Owen, he mentioned how in the past players like him, Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, and Robbie Fowler would score 20 to 30 goals each season and yet, they did not receive numerous caps for the England national team. Ian Wright and Les Ferdinand also faced a similar situation. Nowadays, if you manage to reach the milestone of 20 goals in the Premier League, you earn a spot in the England squad.

Toney's skills make him a desirable player for Arsenal as he excels in ball control and aerial play. However, quality center forwards are scarce, so Arsenal may need to pursue him carefully. If Arsenal fails to defeat Manchester City on October 8, their chances of winning the title will diminish as they would find themselves trailing by a significant seven points.

Many individuals argue, "But there are still numerous games remaining." However, even if there were 600 games left, Arsenal would not be able to surpass Man City due to City's seven-point lead. This fact cannot be disregarded, as Arsenal would only have one opportunity to face City, and it would be an away game. The forthcoming match at the Emirates holds immense significance, as it could potentially determine the outcome for both teams.