Why Liverpool are genuine title contenders if they win at Spurs

Liverpool continue their bid for a first top-flight title since 1990 with a visit to Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday.

The Reds have gone close in the Premier League era without ever having seen the job through.

A win at Spurs would go a long way to proving their title credentials. And here’s why…

Tight at the back

Jurgen Klopp has done a bang-up job on Liverpool’s defence. The Reds have conceded just a single goal so far – and that was down to Alisson’s error at Leicester City.

At the same stage last season, they’d already let in three at Watford and were on their way to a 5-0 mauling at Manchester City.

Their title credentials were then rubbished in full following a 4-1 shellacking by Spurs.

That defeat proved a real nadir 12 months ago, and it can do so again on Saturday, but in the opposite sense.

If they can keep Harry Kane and co. quiet this time around, we’ll know they’re the real deal.

Learn your lessons

This won’t just be a good acid test in terms of result for Liverpool. It’ll also tell us if they’ve learned their lessons from 12 months ago.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men showed a greater willingness to get to the ball first and were far more alert to what was happening in the game.

Three of their four goals that day came from set-pieces. Even their equaliser at Anfield several months later had its roots in a throw-in on the near side.

Klopp’s men suffered from a lack of concentration against their top-four rivals last season. Saturday will show us if they’ve rectified that against an elite opponent.

Title odds

It’s no secret that Liverpool are the main contenders to Manchester City.

Their pressing style is the only real way to counteract the Citizens’ fluid passing game.

Victory at Wembley on Saturday would only confirm that assumption. They’re now just 5/2 to win the title – from 5/1 at the start of the season – with City odds-on at 4/6.

We’ll have a full match preview for Liverpool against Tottenham live on site on Saturday morning. In the meantime, you can back the Reds to come out on top at 7/5.

Click here for all the latest Spurs v Liverpool odds.

All Odds and Markets correct as of date and publication