No league win at big four in 16 years - it's time for Spurs to put up or shut up

20 January 2010 02:01
It is more than 16 years since Tottenham Hotspur won a Premier League match at any of the so-called 'big four' clubs.[LNB] In 65 matches since August 25 1993, when a double from Teddy Sheringham gave Tottenham a 2-1 victory at Anfield, Spurs have not left Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United or Chelsea with three points.[LNB]Rare sight: Sheringham celebrates his second at Anfield in 1993[LNB]It's a damning statistic and one Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp believeshis side must put to bed if they are to be taken seriously as a clubwith Champions League ambitions.[LNB]A Spurs win in tonight's re-arranged fixture at Anfield would take them seven points clear of Liverpool but the statement of intent would have an even greater impact.[LNB]Redknapp said: 'It's about time we did it. It is a big test and we have to go there and prove we can win at one of the big four. It would be a big statement if we won.'[LNB]Redknapp agreed the burden of history 'shouldn't be a problem' for the current crop of Spurs players but, despite an impressive first half of the season, they have failed to buck the trend.[LNB]Tottenham crumbled at the Emirates and Stamford Bridge (losing both 3-0) and suffered a lacklustre 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup in December.[LNB]Yet has there ever been a better time to play Liverpool, especially as they have Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard sidelined by injury?[LNB]Spurs are on a six-match unbeaten run, hoping to emulate Arsenal and Aston Villa by winning a league game at Anfield this season. A clean sheet tonight would be Tottenham's sixth in a row and a record for them in the Premier League.[LNB] Crunch time: Redknapp[LNB]Redknapp believes Manchester City are favourites to replace Liverpool in the top four but knows the dangers of discounting Rafa Benitez's side. In 12 Premier League trips to Anfield as a manager, Redknapp has yet to win a match.[LNB]He said: 'There is nowhere like Liverpool. When you go there and that crowd are in full voice, there's not another experience in football comes near it for me.[LNB]'They're having a blip but you write them off at your peril it's an amazing football club.'[LNB]It is not just Tottenham who have a point to prove tonight. Robbie Keane and Peter Crouch, both former Liverpool strikers, return to Anfield but Redknapp said: 'It's a game of opinions and I wouldn't question Rafa's decision. He obviously wasn't crazy about him (Keane), but we've all done that with players. We stand or fall by what we believe in.' [LNB] Points to prove: Crouch and Keane face former side Liverpool[LNB]Tonight Tottenham will be without Tom Huddlestone, who has a swollen knee, and Alan Hutton, Aaron Lennon, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Jonathan Woodgate, who all have groin injuries.[LNB]Redknapp revealed yesterday that Woodgate has gone to the USA for a month for treatment on the pelvic area, as Tottenham's medical team have yet to find the root of the problem. Ledley King, who trained for the first time in nine days yesterday, could also miss the match owing to his persistent knee trouble.[LNB]The Spurs boss added that he could only sign Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, 33, this month after selling, rather than loaning, his disaffected Russian Roman Pavyluchenko.[LNB]The latter has been linked with a move to Zenit St Petersburg, but Redknapp would not want to bring a fifth striker to the club if Pavlyuchenko stays at White Hart Lane.[LNB]The Tottenham manager said: 'He was fantastic in England with Manchester United, a great goalscorer. If he was available it could be of interest.[LNB]'Ian Broomfield, the chief scout, spoke with his agent (Rodger Linse), but that's as far as it's gone really.'[LNB] Liverpool's moment of truth: We can't afford to lose against Spurs, says Rafa BenitezVan Nistelrooy in, Pavlyuchenko out! Spurs in talks to sign Real strikerLiverpool v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR: Jamie O'Hara in Spurs squad after loan spell at PortsmouthTOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC

Source: Daily_Mail