Key battles Match points: Tottenham v Liverpool

TEXT: RICHARD JOLLY PHOTOS: REUTERS, ACTION IMAGES
TEXT: RICHARD JOLLY PHOTOS: REUTERS, ACTION IMAGES
TEXT: RICHARD JOLLY PHOTOS: REUTERS, ACTION IMAGES
TEXT: RICHARD JOLLY PHOTOS: REUTERS, ACTION IMAGES
TEXT: RICHARD JOLLY PHOTOS: REUTERS, ACTION IMAGES
TEXT: RICHARD JOLLY PHOTOS: REUTERS, ACTION IMAGES

Dele Alli v James Milner

Alli is the one who got away, a Liverpool fan they failed to sign. The precocious teenager then made his England debut after just four Premier League starts. He comes across as a prodigy from an earlier generation. The industrious Milner has covered more ground than any other Premier League player. He should suit Klopp.

Tom Carroll v Philippe Coutinho

With the in-form Eric Dier suspended and both Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb injured, Spurs are suddenly short of central midfielders. It could mean Carroll, a slight passer, gets a chance. He will be charged with nullifying Coutinho, who has shown flickers of brilliance this season.

Harry Kane v Martin Skrtel

Kane sliced a shot into his own goal at Swansea two weeks ago and did everything but score for England in Lithuania. He seems luckless right now but he keeps on persevering. Skrtel's only Liverpool red card came in a 4-0 defeat at White Hart Lane but, despite his flaws, looks likely to become a regular for a fifth successive manager.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 17, 2015, with the headline Key battles Match points: Tottenham v Liverpool. Subscribe