TOTTENHAM MATCH PREVIEW

Anfield - Wednesday, 27 August
Kick-off: 2000 BST
Referee: Graham Barber (Tring)

Emile Heskey remains a doubt for Liverpool's match with Spurs at Anfield.

The striker was forced out of the goalless draw at Aston Villa on Sunday after being kicked on the calf.

Heskey has undergone treatment but Reds boss Gerard Houllier may well decide to rest him and allow Milan Baros to play up front or move Harry Kewell into a more central attacking role.

Vladimir Smicer, back from injury but only a substitute at Villa Park, could also come into consideration for an attacking midfield role.

Liverpool (from): Dudek, Carragher, Finnan, Hyypia, Henchoz, Riise, Diouf, Smicer, Murphy, Gerrard, Kewell, Owen, Heskey, Baros, Cheyrou, Le Tallec, Kirkland, Sinama-Pongolle, Biscan.

Darren Anderton has been added to the Tottenham squad for the game at Liverpool after missing the first two matches of the season with Achilles trouble.

Anderton is in a party of 17 for the trip to Merseyside where manager Glenn Hoddle must decide whether to start with Saturday's match winner Frederic Kanoute or use him again as a substitute.

Gus Poyet and Robbie Keane are still missing through injuries and there is no place in the squad for Chris Perry or South African newcomer Mbuelelo Mabizela.

Spurs (from): Keller, Gardner, Richards, King, Carr, Davies, Redknapp, Anderton, Taricco, Bunjevcevic, Doherty, Ricketts, Postiga, Zamora, Kanoute, Marney, Sullivan

BIG-MATCH FACTS

LIVERPOOL take on Tottenham at Anfield having made their worst start to a Premiership season in six years and the weakest opening of any of the so called "Big Five".

The Reds, without a League title in thirteen seasons, made a losing start to big spending Chelsea on the opening Sunday at Anfield, and were then held to a goalless draw by Aston Villa at Villa Park seven days later.

The Merseysiders did the 'double' over Spurs last season and are chasing an eighth successive home League win over them.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR travel north with sights set on only their second Premiership maximum at Anfield. The first was a decade ago, when Teddy Sheringham scored both in a 1-2 victory.

The pressure was on manager Glenn Hoddle when his side faced Leeds on Saturday, having lost their opener 1-0 at Birmingham. The Londoners fell behind early to the West Yorkshire side but Mauricio Tarrico equalised on his 100th League appearance for Spurs with only his second goal for the club. New signing Fredi Kanoute then came off the bench to net a glorious winner.

These sides were both in the top three when they last met at Anfield on 26 October last year.

SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM

LIVERPOOL
17th One point

Pressing for first win in five Premiership games.
Lost the three previous games to Sunday's goalless draw at Aston Villa, by 2-1 margins to Manchester City (h), Chelsea (a) and Chelsea (h).
Last victory was 0-6 at relegated West Brom on 26 April.
The next defeat will be Liverpool's 50th in the Premiership since Gerard Houllier took joint charge with Roy Evans in the summer of 1998.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
10th 3 points

Gone 16 Premiership games since keeping a clean sheet.
Last block out was the 0-1 win at Aston Villa on 18 January.
Not drawn for seven matches and completed 28 Premiership games since a goalless stalemate.

POTENTIAL CAREER MILESTONES

LIVERPOOL

Emile HESKEY is a double strike away from 50 goals for Liverpool.
Danny MURPHY needs a brace to register 50 career League goals.
If he plays, El-Hadji DIOUF will be making his 50th appearance for the Merseysiders.
If Dietmar HAMANN takes part, he will be playing on his 30th birthday.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

If he takes his place in goal, Kasey KELLER will be making his 50th Premiership appearance for Tottenham.
If they participate, Jamie REDKNAPP and Christian ZIEGE will be playing against their former club.

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME:
Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
26 October 2002 - Ref: Mike Riley
Liverpool scorers: Murphy 72, Owen 86 pen
Spurs scorer: Richards 82

HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
League: Liverpool 57 wins, Spurs 34, Draws 29
Prem: Liverpool 11 wins, Spurs 6, Draws 5

HEAD TO HEAD at Liverpool
League: Liverpool 39 wins, Spurs 5, Draws 16
Prem: Liverpool 8 wins, Spurs 1, Draws 2

Information from BBCi.