Team news

Tottenham midfielder Sandro is available despite being stretchered off against West Ham on Sunday.

Mousa Dembele could also start after coming through two substitute appearances against West Ham and Lazio unscathed.

Emmanuel Adebayor serves the second of a three-game suspension while Scott Parker, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Younes Kaboul are still sidelined.

Hugo Lloris is expected to continue in goal but Andre Villas-Boas faces a choice whether to retain Michael Dawson ahead of William Gallas at centre half.

Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom returns after recovering from a knee injury but the game will come too soon for midfielder Lucas Leiva, who played an hour for the reserves on Friday.

What the managers say

Villas Boas told tottenhamhotspur.com: "We had a difficult game against West Ham but we put in a great performance which gives us confidence.

"Liverpool is a totally different proposition to West Ham - a difficult opponent, great individuals with experience. We are focused."

Brendan Rodgers told the club website: "If you go away to rivals and win then it can give you great confidence.

"Our performance level away from home has got better throughout the season. We know we can go there and win and that's what we'll look to do."

Where it will be won and lost

The game's key battleground will be on the flanks.

Rodgers played a 3-5-1-1 formation away to Chelsea two weeks ago with Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique given license to push forward.

To do the same against Spurs would be a bold move given so much of Tottenham's momentum, particularly at home, starts out wide through Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon.

On the flip side Villas-Boas' team have often looked weak in the full-back positions this season and were exposed out wide against both Arsenal and Manchester City earlier this month.

If Bale and Lennon can force Enrique and Johnson to focus on their defensive duties, they could provide the basis for an important home win.

Prediction

Tottenham usually score at White Hart Lane but they have also struggled to keep clean sheets of late and this will be no different.

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