Liverpool go over to Whitehart Lane for their opening game of the season against hosts Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.

Liverpool's excellent record against their top four rivals last season was undermined by a string of disappointing home draws against the lesser lights of the league. Benitez has since decided the solution to this problem is to employ more attacking full-backs and has spent £17m recruiting England defender Glen Johnson in the transfer window.
At left-back, Benitez is likely to ask Argentina youngster Emilano Insua to provide the threat. The technically proficient defender has had a good run in the side in pre-season and is a much better option than Andrea Dossena.
But Liverpool's title aspirations don't rest on the overlapping runs of Johnson and Insua, they hinge on the fitness of star striker Fernando Torres. The Spaniard's injury problems following Euro 2008 meant he was in and out of the Liverpool side last season and he has endured another long summer after travelling to South Africa to take part in the Confederations Cup with Spain. Despite the return of Andriy Voronin, who spent a productive year in the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin, and Benitez's vocal support of David Ngog, the 25-year-old remains Liverpool's only real threat up front and as such, Rafa is likely to continue pairing Torres with Steven Gerrard, a combination that proved very effective last season.
But with Gerrard advanced, Xabi Alonso lost to Real Madrid and his £20m replacement from Roma Alberto Aquilani out for eight weeks with an ankle injury, Liverpool could be left exposed in central midfield: a position where they were so strong last season.
Still, Benitez is confident that his team can kick on from last season's second-placed finish and it seems that the manager's focus has now shifted from his early successes in the UEFA Champions League to lifting a first Premier League title for Liverpool.
One thing is certain this season.  .  .Liverpool will hotly be in the fight for the trophy.

Tottenham Hotspur seem set to begin the new season with a bang.  .  .evidence, signing of Peter Crouch! The lanky striker just might make an impact for Spurs.
Also Sebastien Bassong is set to make his debut for the club against Liverpool despite serving only one game of a two-match ban with Newcastle. Defender Jonathan Woodgate might be missing in this game though as he recently underwent surgery to take care of a groin problem. Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is short on cover at the back because Michael Dawson is also out, with an Achilles injury.
Ledley King should be able to face Liverpool on Sunday but is unable to play matches in quick succession. Sebastien Bassong has been brought in from Newcastle to bolster the defence.
Redknapp has plenty of options in attack, however - with Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Roman Pavlyuchenko fighting for two places.
"I've played with Roman, Robbie and Jermain in training - and they are all fantastic players,'' said Crouch. "We've four strikers battling it out for two spots. That is healthy competition and has to be good for the club.''
So come on, Spurs.  .  .show us what you've got.

It's part of my 'job' description o. Oga's orders.

we go beat dem if dem lucky it will be a draw

Let's wait and see. But Liverpool is favorite even with half squad,

Cristalz:

It's part of my 'job' description o. Oga's orders.

MrCrackles:

Crizzle don come again o. . .
Are u going through the pain of setting up threads till the end of the season?
For how long?
Do you want to singlehandedly crash the forum?
Abi wetin be dis now?
Threads like this dont go beyond the first page, i dont think its cool jare!
My two cents. . .I STILL LOVE U
_{Come to bed when u finish!}

Oga and madam, make un exchange numbers, E be like say una like una selves

1-1 it will end

It going to be a close one, i sense, ,.,., if their wil be a winner that wil be going to l'pool, ,.,, 1-2 i predict

With Keane and Crouch leading the spurs attack we surely have to be on our toes. despite our injury concerns,we can still grind out a victory.

a Liverpool win!

@ cristalz,

u write so well.

The Reds are at it again, wish them luck at the Tottenham.

I think it would be a tough match considering the fact that keane and crouch would be going against their former clubs. Also tottenham is known for dealing with the big teams at home and considering the injury stricken Liverpool team that would be suffering the loss of almost all their defensive players and most importantly Gerrad is out of action. It would be close but liverpool might do this. I expect a draw.

I want to urge all of us to play our part in supporting a superb tactician, lover of the Kop, and his fabulous team. The team’s not infallible, but we must remember that it’s not always sunny, and neither does it have to be.

We DO have something worth playing for and believing in. The question is are we willing to do what it takes to stand together, knowing that it squarely means risking falling together?

Is this our year? It always is. We’re Liverpoollians, We believe, we’ve been written off countless times in our past, but we remain steadfast Scousers. We’re the Reds, and no one ever will be.

Let’s not allow our team to walk alone. Neither should we ever. Good day to all.

Great to see that there are Liverpool supporters here on Nairaland.
Liverpool came ever so close last season, but ultimately fell that little bit short, needless to say the expectation for fans for this team, for this season is nothing less than H-U-G-E!!!
After a thoroughly miserable pre-season, the loss of Xabi Alonso, and only two major signings in Johnson, and in the 'we won't see him on the pitch until October' Aquilani, I'm personally a little nervous about this fixture.
There are easier teams in the Prem to have to face on your opening day, and the men from White Heart Lane are certainly not in that category.
But on the upside, though the corresponding fixture ended in an unlikely loss for Liverpool last season, the Anfield faithful will remember the last competitive game Liverpool had on the last day of the season was against Tottenham, and that we won at a stroll.
Guarantee your hearts to flutter, and one or two hairy moments most especially in defence. Watch for Johnson's dubious defensive abilities, but should Lucas step to the fore, Mascherano forget Barca and remember the quality Liverpool player that he is, and of course Kuyt, Gerrard, and Torres to all come to the party then my word a hard fought victory for Liverpool should be on the cards.
Well that's me off to regulate my BP before kick-off!!!

rockyfela:

I think it would be a tough match considering the fact that keane and crouch would be going against their former clubs. Also tottenham is known for dealing with the big teams at home and considering the injury stricken Liverpool team that would be suffering the loss of almost all their defensive players and most importantly Gerrad is out of action. It would be close but liverpool might do this. I expect a draw.

I think you will find that Gerrard has been cleared as fit to play, and maybe that fact alone might tip your prediction of a draw into a winning game for 'Pool. No doubt as I have already alluded to, no doubt a bit of a nail biter.

I see Spurs winnings this
I see Defoe scoring!

I' m really edgy for this one. YNWA

follypimpi:

This shld be intresting.

The difference between Man Utd and other teams are is the strength in depth.
Look at Liverpool's bench FFS? No wonder they fall apart once Torres/Gerrard cop injuries.
Other clubs have a good starting XI but an abysmal reserves. . . . .The first team ALONE cannot win EPL titles.

I cannot wait for winter to BITE.

Come On Liverpool!! Watch Torres set place on fire!!

Liverpool is shyte. . . . . . .2 centre-halves nodding themselves.
Blimey. . . . .Liverpool will finish 4th.

If Torres doesnt score today, i'll eat a live frog and wash it down with drainage water.

~Borat~:

If Torres doesnt score today, i'll eat a live frog and wash it down with drainage water.

Cyanide will be better. . . . .Why eat a frog when cyanide is affordable.

~Borat~:

If Torres doesnt score today, i'll eat a live frog and wash it down with drainage water.

u must do it oooooo

Aaron lennon has no ball control. All he does is push and run like nani

chic2pimp:

Aaron lennon has no ball control. All he does is push and run like nani

Drogba, Tevez, Fabregas, Adebayor and Gerrard are all guilty of this.

Our midfield is depleted man,we missing Alonso.

wot a save from reina. Great skill from modric. Olodo robbie keane

SUKKIE:

Our midfield is depleted man,we missing Alonso.

The midfield is non-existent. . . . . .Lucas is a liability.

What a chance!!!!!
Robbie Keane!!!  Miss of the season.

That was close o.nice1 Riena

This game is puttin me to sleep

That header was close. . . shoulda scores