|
Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game
Full Record of Spurs -v- Liverpool
Premier Pl W D L For-Ag Pts
Home 10 5 3 2 15 -13 18
Away 10 1 2 7 9 -23 5
========================================
Total(Prem) 20 6 5 9 24 -36 23
========================================
Football Lge
Home(Div 1) 49 24 10 15 71 -58 62
Away(Div 1) 49 4 14 31 38 -95 24
========================================
Total(Div 1)98 28 24 46 109 -153 86
========================================
Total(Prem) 20 6 5 9 24 -36 23
Total(Div 1)98 28 24 46 109 -153 86
========================================
Grand Total 118 34 29 55 123 -189 109
========================================
It's hard to remember the last time when this fixture was played with both
teams riding high in the table with Liverpool leading the way and Spurs in
3rd place. This was commonplace in the 60s, 70s and 80s but less so since.
Memories of Tottenham playing at Anfield stir memories of the Kop end
swaying as they sang 'You'll Never Walk Alone!' and their humorous
chanting. Memories of Pat Jennings saving two penalties in the same match
to preserve a goal-less draw. Memories of Klinsmann and Sheringham
celebrating a famous FA Cup victory. Memories of Garth Crooks scoring the
goal that ended our long barren run without a win at Anfield.
This time, however, I want to talk about Liverpool players. The first side
Shankly built had a huge goalkeeper called Tommy Lawrence, who was very
difficult to beat. He looked as if he was always carrying too much weight,
yet he could move as swiftly as slimmer colleagues when he had to do so.
There was Ian St John, the immortal Saint, who had scored vital goals for
Liverpool. There was Roger Hunt, who scored a record 245 goals for
Liverpool between 1959 and 1969. There was Ian Callaghan, who played for
Liverpool from 1960 to 1978, an incredible 18 years, amassing 640
appearances. Callaghan was not a spectacular player, just a steady one but
he did the job for Shankly and Paisley.
Then there was Ray Clemence, who succeeded Lawrence in goal, after
Liverpool had unexpectedly lost an FA Cup tie. There was Steve Heighway,
dancing down the left wing, despite the number 9 on his back. There was
Toshack and Keegan, the Little and Large of Anfield, with the giant
Toshack heading the ball down for Keegan to sweep into the net. There was
Graeme Souness, a midfield Tartan terror. There was Tommy Smith, who
played in both teams. There was Ian Rush, Kenny Dalglish, Alan Hansen and
Mark Lawrenson. Hansen was the superb defender, always unhurried,
seemingly slow, but an excellent reader of the game. Dalglish was always
happiest playing and probably found it difficult when he retired.
Hillsborough changed Dalglish more than anyone else at Anfield on that
fateful day at Hillsborough. He attended all 96 funerals, which left him
drained of energy and led to his premature departure from Anfield.
Liverpool have spent the last 10 years trying to recreate the magic of
Anfield. Under Gerard Houllier they finally look like achieving it.
Houllier, assisted by the beaky nosed Thompson, seems to have created a
side that can seriously tilt for the Championship and compete in Europe.
Until Heysel, Liverpool had competed in Europe for 20 consecutive seasons,
making them one of the most feared clubs in Europe.
Looking ahead to Saturday's match, there can only be one serious
prediction. Tottenham have been playing well but have still some way to go
before they can match Liverpool's consistency. This is our first really
difficult fixture since we played Manchester United, but they were playing
out of sorts at that time. I doubt if we can bother Liverpool though I
live in hope of seeing Robbie Keane score a couple of more goals for us to
pull off a shock win, even if it does mean the other lot down the road go
top.
COME ON YOU SPURS!
Cheers, Brian
· Read the full preview pack for this game.
Top of page | Back to Fixtures and Results
| 
