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Liverpool are hardly the "traditional big four" club that they have been in years past, but they should certainly provide a stiff test for Spurs. Steven Gerrard is injured, but Liverpool are still fielding a strong side. With his captain unavailable, Roy Hodgson has opted for a 4-4-2 formation with the ever improving David N'Gog up top as opposed to a central midfielder in a like for like switch. Spurs have kept Jermain Defoe on the bench again, opting for the 4-4-1-1 formation that has brought them success since the arrival of Rafael van der Vaart. VDV is probably an automatic starter when healthy, so Harry Redknapp's real selection was probably Aaron Lennon over Defoe. Liverpool's left back Paul Konchesky has not lived up to expectations this year, and Lennon may be able to exploit Konchesky with his pace. Harry has also opted for Wilson Palacios over Jermaine Jenas in midfield (yay!), probably feeling like a true ball winner will be beneficial. Here are your complete lineups:
Tottenham Hotspur lineup (4-4-1-1): Gomes / Assou-Ekotto, Kaboul, Gallas, Hutton / Bale, Palacios, Modric, Lennon / van der Vaart / Crouch
Liverpool lineup (4-4-2): Reina / Konchesky, Skrtel, Carragher, Johnson / Rodriguez, Meireles, Lucas, Kuyt / N'Gog, Torres
Kickoff is at 11 am ET on Fox Soccer Channel. I wasn't able to get a preview up because of family commitments and unreliable internet, but I'm predicting a 1-1 draw. I definitely think this is a winnable game for either side and I would call Spurs a slight favorite. The biggest key to this game is probably which version of Fernando Torres shows up. Enough talk, let's play some football.