Klopp in for Spurs pasting as just three Reds make Mix n Match XI

It feels a lot longer than a week ago that Jurgen Klopp was unveiled as Liverpool fans’ latest deity, but finally the German can see his first actual game of football on the horizon.

The former Borussia Dortmund man has a trip to Tottenham as his first match in charge of the Reds, an opposition that the Merseyside outfit has beaten in all of their previous five meetings.

There could, however, be a significant bubble of optimism burst at White Hart Lane on Saturday lunchtime, as Ladbrokes News declare just three Liverpool squad members good enough to get into a combined team of the two sides.

The bookmaker is seemingly in agreement, with its match odds placing the hosts as favourites at 11/8, Liverpool at 9/5 and the draw at 12/5.

Spurs’ domination begins with their transformed defence. Hugo Lloris and co have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League thus far, along with four other clubs. In contrast, Liverpool’s rabble has shown no signs of security and as a result the entire back five is made up of Lilywhites.

Another Spurs defender, Eric Dier, has enjoyed his start to the season in an unfamiliar role as the club’s anchorman and it’s his discipline that will allow James Milner to hare off around the park in search of the ball as his midfield partner.

In the forward line, Erik Lamela is a Spurs player finally on the rise, while Christian Eriksen’s talents have long been assured of. Perhaps some Reds fans wished they’d snapped up the Dane over the likes of Roberto Firmino or Adam Lallana?

Sandwiching the Spurs pair is Liverpool’s unabashed lynchpin, Philippe Coutinho, while Daniel Sturridge beats Harry Kane to the central striker’s role, as he’s likely to do for England come Euro 2016.

Would you pick the team differently? Let us know below the fold.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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