Paul Merson believes Liverpool will have too much for a depleted Tottenham Hotspur and has backed Jurgen Klopp's side to take all three points.
It's been a mixed bag in terms of Premier League results for the Reds so far this season. After a stuttering start, that included draws to Fulham and Crystal Palace, Liverpool looked like they had abandoned their early-season struggles when they defeated Manchester City at Anfield last month - courtesy of a fine individual goal from Mohamed Salah.
However, successive defeats to Nottingham Forest and Leeds United - who were both in the relegation zone ahead of facing Klopp's side - have left Liverpool looking up at those in the Champions League places in hope rather than expectation.
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Ahead of this weekend's trip to north London, they sit eight points behind Newcastle United, who occupy the fourth and final entry spot into Europe's premier competition. They also trail Manchester City - who many had tipped Liverpool to fight tooth and nail for the Premier League crown once again - by 13 points.
Despite their struggles, Antonio Conte's side have only won one of their last three Premier League outings - a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over newly-promoted Bournemouth last weekend - with tensions seeming to rise between the Italian and supporters.
However, Merson thinks, despite their recent Premier League slump, Klopp's men will have enough to dispatch a Tottenham side who will be without Heung-Min Son, Richarlison and potentiallyDejan Kulusevski.
"This is a huge game. I expect Man City to win their Premier League game this weekend, and that would mean that Liverpool would be 16 points behind City before they start their game," the former Arsenal midfielder said in his Sportskeeda column. "If all the other big teams win their matches, they'd be 10 points behind fifth place this week. They've got to try and get into the top four.
"This is a huge game. I expect Man City to win their Premier League game this weekend, and that would mean that Liverpool would be 16 points behind City before they start their game. If all the other big teams win their matches, they'd be 10 points behind fifth place this week. They've got to try and get into the top four.
"Liverpool have defeated Napoli, Ajax, and Manchester City, but have lost to Leeds and Nottingham Forest. Had they won both those games, they would've been in sixth place. It's extraordinary, and Jurgen Klopp must be pulling his hair out. Every week that goes by, the gap between Liverpool and the top four gets bigger. They can't afford to lose this game."
He added: "With Son, Kulusevski, and Richarlison injured, Harry Kane will be isolated up front. I've watched Tottenham a lot this season, and I don't think Kane can do it on his own. Liverpool like their Premier League away games against Tottenham, and they will back themselves to win this game [1-2]."
But Lawrenson thinks Conte's defence-minded tactics could cause Liverpool problems on Sunday afternoon, which will give both sides a share of the spoils come the full-time whistle.
"Straight away I’m thinking this will be a draw. I’m not sure about Tottenham, that Son Heung-min injury will hurt them and it looks like Richarlison will be out," Lawrenson told Paddy Power. "Antonio Conte will most definitely not want to lose another game at home. You don’t know what you’re going to get with Liverpool at the moment. Tottenham 1-1 Liverpool."
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