Jamie’s Stat Preview: Spurs vs Liverpool

After picking up their first win of the season away to Wolves, Spurs will be hoping to continue their charge up the table as they host a resurgent Liverpool.

Both teams have played in the Premiership since its inception in 1992/93 and neither have ever dropped out of it, making Spurs/Liverpool one of the most commonly played Premier League matches, with 38 games. Games between the sides have never been low on excitement or goals. This was promised right from the start as in 1992/93, Tottenham secured a 2-0 win at the Lane, but followed that up with a 6-2 reverse at Anfield. Still, the stall was set for one of the most entertaining rivalries in Premiership history.

Liverpool have the edge over Spurs in terms of victories, the Reds coming out on top in 17 encounters, whilst Spurs have emerged victorious 11 times. However, at White Hart Lane, it is a different story. In the nineteen games played at N17, Liverpool have only claimed five wins and five draws whilst Spurs have taken all three points on nine occasions. In fact, Spurs have won the last three games at the lane, all by a scoreline of 2-1.

In all, 105 goals have been scored between the two teams at an average of 2.8 goals per game. These included the eight scored at Anfield in 1993, the six that were shared at White Hart Lane in the 1993/94 season and the six that were shared again at White Hart Lane in March 1998 where Spurs were denied a win thanks to a late Steve McManaman goal.

McManaman was a thorn in Tottenham’s side throughout the 1990s, scoring five goals against the Lilywhites, including that late equaliser at the lane. He is the joint highest individual scorer in Premiership games between the teams with former Red and Spur Robbie Keane, closely followed by John Barnes, Teddy Sheringham and Robbie Fowler on four each.

Actually, there is quite a cross-over in terms of goalscoring players. No less than five players scored against the team they used to or soon would play for, those players being Neil Ruddock, Jamie Redknapp, Ovyind Leonhardsen, Danny Murphy and Robbie Keane.

It is quite tempting to put Jamie Carragher in that list also, the Scouse centre-back having been a loyal servant to Tottenham over the years. Carragher has managed to put the ball in his own net three times against the Liliywhites, including twice in two games during the 1998/99 season.

It is a pretty good omen for Spurs when the first game between the pair is at the Lane. The Lilywhites have only been beaten twice in 11 matches when hosting first, winning seven. And don’t forget, it was Assou-Ekotto’s rocket at home against Liverpool that set Spurs on their way to that magical fourth position in 2009/10.

And finally, it seems like defenders rather enjoy these games, providing they’re in the opposition half. 17 of the 105 goals between these two teams have been scored by defenders, although it must be admitted that five of them were own goals. Cheers again Carra!

By Jamie Frier

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