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Tottenham vs. Liverpool: Who has the edge at each position?

By Rucker Haringey

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: Jurgen Klopp, manager of Liverpool and Mauricio Pochettino Manager of Tottenham Hotspur look on during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on April 2, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: Jurgen Klopp, manager of Liverpool and Mauricio Pochettino Manager of Tottenham Hotspur look on during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on April 2, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 14: Jordan Henderson of Liverpool and Hector Bellerin of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on August 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 14: Jordan Henderson of Liverpool and Hector Bellerin of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on August 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

Defensive Midfielder

Klopp generally deploys a midfield three which makes the position comparison a little difficult here. For the purposes of a clean comparison, I’m calling Jordan Henderson Liverpool’s other central defender.

Henderson will have to tangle with Tottenham’s Eric Dier in the middle of the pitch on Saturday. Ordinarily Henderson would enjoy the advantage going forward, but Dier’s defensive acumen should cancel that out. It’s hard to see Henderson making much progress against the Spurs double-pivot.

In all fairness, Dier hasn’t played all that great to begin the year either. He might still be fatigued from his trials during Euro 16, but he hasn’t looked sharp at all. He could easily find himself out of the starting XI once Dembele returns from suspension.

Even a diminished Eric Dier is enough to successfully combat Henderson. The saving grace for Klopp’s squad is that Dier likely won’t punish them going forward. There shouldn’t be a clear winner in this battle.

Edge: Even

Next: Central Attacking Midfielder

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