Liverpool vs Tottenham – Premier League: Live scores, team news and updates as Jurgen Klopp’s side host at Anfield in a match the Reds must win to keep their title hopes alive

At Anfield it’s all smiles, but Ange Postecoglou knows how crucial a result today is for his team.

Spurs currently sit eight points behind Aston Villa in the race for European football as we approach the end of the campaign.

Today’s clash marks one of two games the visitors have on hand in European football, and the chance to reduce both deficits to just two points with back-to-back wins will no doubt be on the Australian’s mind.

The start is now only 45 minutes away…

Ange Postecoglou has made just one change from the team that was beaten by Chelsea in midweek: Rodrigo Bentacur replaces Richarlison.

Meanwhile, James Maddison has been named on the bench again as he looks for an opportunity to regain the form that saw him so instrumental in Spurs’ success earlier in the season.

Mo Salah has returned to the starting lineup after being called up on the bench in the club’s 2-2 draw against West Ham.

After being called upon to replace Luis Diaz in the closing stages of that game, Salah became involved in a highly publicized on-field dispute with Jurgen Klopp.

However, despite the fight, Salah returns to his more familiar place in the team, with Ryan Gravenberch dropping to the bench marking the only change from that game.

Conor Bradley is also back in the match day squad after recovering from injury.

Liverpool Virgil van Dijk urged his team to keep fighting until the end of the season in his program notes published in the club website:

We have now reached the last three games of the season and the finish line is in sight, but that does not mean there is room to relax. In reality, the opposite is true: we have an obligation, to ourselves and to our followers, to continue trying until the end.

If we do this, we can see where we end up. Nobody needs me to say what is possible and what is not, everyone can look at the league table and make their own decisions about where we are likely to finish, but whatever the likely outcome, our goal must be to finish the championship. season as strongly as possible.

After a spectacular start to Ange Postecoglou’s first campaign in charge of the club, which saw the club unbeaten in their first ten Premier League games, Spurs have proven to be consistently inconsistent.

Like their opponents this afternoon, Spurs were forced to share points with West Ham last month before bouncing back with a convincing 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

Their burgeoning momentum would come to an immediate halt when a 4-0 defeat to Newcastle at St James’ Park marked their heaviest defeat of the campaign so far.

Spurs failed to put a dent in Arsenal’s title ambitions when hosting Mikel Arteta’s side, as the club’s woes continued. Chelsea ran out of comfortable winners at Stamford Bridge in midweek.

The Champions League remains a possibility if they can improve on their recent form, but they will face it at Anfield today.

Last five Premier League games: DWLLL

When Jurgen Klopp announced earlier this season that he would be retiring after almost a decade on Merseyside, his team looked set to secure a fairytale ending to his time at the club.

However, a drop in form in recent weeks has seen the club eliminated from both the FA Cup and Europe, while also losing significant ground in the title race.

A late Mo Salah penalty was enough to secure a point against Manchester United at Old Trafford last month, but defeat to Crystal Palace the following week left their title ambitions in tatters.

The Reds appeared to return to their best in a 3-1 win over Fulham, but the joy was short-lived as a bitter defeat against Everton followed by a frustrating 2-2 draw with West Ham left the club needing a miracle to return to the on top of the table.

Klopp’s men need both Arsenal and Manchester City to drop points to have any chance of getting back into the title race, but first they must get past Tottenham.

Last five Premier League matches: DLWLD

…and welcome to Mail Sport’s live blog on Liverpool’s clash with Tottenham.

Just a few weeks ago, this match looked to have significant implications for the title race and the battle for the Champions League places.

However, both teams have slumped of late, with Liverpool’s title ambitions hanging by a thread and Ange Postecoglou’s men facing an uphill battle if they are to usurp Aston Villa and finish fourth.

However, both teams will be determined to get back on track at Anfield in what promises to be a fascinating clash.

In September, Spurs handed Liverpool their first league defeat of the season thanks to a goal from Son Heung-min and Joel Matip OG, but can they achieve the double over the Reds?