All eyes will be on White Hart Lane for Saturday's early Premier League kickoff, as Jürgen Klopp gets his Liverpool tenure underway with a difficult match away at Tottenham Hotspur. The German replaced the sacked Brendan Rodgers earlier this week with Liverpool languishing down in mid-table, and the travelling crowd will undoubtedly be expecting an immediate improvement. Even so, a close game is anticipated: only a point separates these sides in the table, with the Spurs up in eighth and Liverpool in 10th.
Liverpool vs. Tottenham Hotspur 2015 live stream: Start time, TV schedule and how to watch online
New Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp will take charge of his first match away at Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday’s early kickoff.
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Though the Spurs will be buoyed by the support of the home crowd, there's no guarantee that will be of much use. They've only managed to beat Bournemouth and Aston Villa at White Hart Lane this season, and were held to a draw by Sion in the Europa League before the international break. Though they're an undeniably talented team, Mauricio Pochettino's men still lack the consistency to make a serious top four challenge, and Liverpool will hope to catch them on one of their off-days.
Key factor: How big will the Klopp bounce be?
There are invariably advantages and disadvantages when it comes to a new manager's first match in charge. The former are based on the idea that a new man is expected to improve results through superior tactics or motivational skills. The latter, on the idea that it takes time for their methods to take effect. Liverpool's success in this game will depend on the balance between these aspects, and how quickly it will take Klopp to adapt to life in the Premier League.
Recent history
The history books certainly don’t give Klopp reason to fear: Liverpool have rather enjoyed playing against Tottenham in recent times. They’ve won every single one of their last five meetings, and their last two at White Hart Lane by an aggregate scoreline of 8-0. One must go back to 2012 to see a Spurs win: on that occasion, Gareth Bale scored a goal and assisted the other (as well as scoring an own goal) with the game ending 2-1. Minus Bale, Spurs will find this match tough once again.
Tottenham Hotspur injuries and suspensions
Out: Son Heung-Min, Alex Pritchard (ankle/foot); Eric Dier (suspended). In doubt: Danny Rose (thumb/wrist); Ryan Mason (knee); Nabil Bentaleb (ankle/foot).
Liverpool injuries and suspensions
Out: Jon Flanagan, Joe Gomez, Danny Ings (knee); Jordan Henderson (foot); Roberto Firmino (back); Christian Benteke (hamstring). In doubt: Philippe Coutinho (groin/pelvis); Dejan Lovren (ankle/foot).
The Spurs will certainly be without summer signing Son Heung-Min and versatile defender Dier, who are injured and suspended, respectively. Danny Rose, Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb all face late fitness tests.
Liverpool have several important first-team players unavailable including Henderson, Firmino and Benteke, but hope to have Coutinho and Lovren back available after injuries. Gomez and Ings both have ACL injuries, and will be sidelined for a long time.
Match Date/Time: Sat., Oct. 17, 7:45 a.m. ET, 12:45 p.m. local
Venue: White Hart Lane, London, England
TV: NBCSN (US - English), NBC Universo (US - Spanish), RDS, TSN (Canada), BT Sport 1 (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (US), BT Sport Online (U.K.)
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