'How they play': ESPN pundit says Liverpool can do something that will 'destory' Tottenham today

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Liverpool face Tottenham later today in what will be another must-win Premier League clash for the Reds.

Arsenal’s 5-1 win away to Crystal Palace has brought the Gunners to within three points of Arne Slot’s side, with Chelsea facing Everton later today in a game that could see the Blues overtake Liverpool if they come away from Goodison Park with all three points.

Although Liverpool have more options with Slot confirming that Federico Chiesa is close to a full return from injury, today’s clash in north London will be anything but straight-forward for the Reds, with Tottenham coming off the back of a 4-3 win in the League Cup against Manchester United.

However, pundit Craig Burley has said Liverpool have a tactical quality that could help beat Tottenham in a big way.

Liverpool can ‘pick off’ Tottenham on the counterattack

Speaking on ESPN, the former Chelsea midfielder noted that Tottenham’s tactical set-up coupled with how Slot had got Liverpool playing means the Reds can ‘destroy’ Spurs if they decide to play on the counterattack.

Tottenham’s style of play under Ange Postecoglou has left the north London side extremely vulnerable against sides who know how to counterattack, and Liverpool have mastered this craft under Slot, which could result in an explosive result later today.

Burley said: “I can’t pinpoint where Tottenham are going to win this game. I like watching Tottenham play, but it’s become so chaotic that this Liverpool side, they’re very clever, they’re not as gun-ho as they were under Klopp, they sit, they watch, and they pick you off.

“There’s no side easier to pick off on the counterattack than Tottenham, and they also have all these injuries. Their back-four is weakened, they were outplayed against Manchester United, I can’t find any way to see where Liverpool are just not going to pick them off and destroy this Spurs side, because that’s how they play, and that’s how Tottenham play.”

How have Liverpool fared against Ange Postecoglou historically?

Having only joined Tottenham at the start last season, Postecoglou has only faced Liverpool twice in his managerial career with the north London side, yet these encounters were anything but uneventful.

Postecoglou’s first match against Liverpool saw Tottenham come away with a hugely controversial 2-1 win as Luis Diaz saw a legitimate goal ruled off by VAR after a blunder from officials, with the episode one of the most scandalous from last season.

Liverpool did manage to get their revenge later in the season, though, with Jurgen Klopp’s side winning 4-2 at Anfield in one of the German manager’s final games as boss of the Reds.