OPINION

Liverpool are set to be handed a major advantage before kick-off ahead of Saturday’s showdown against Tottenham at Wembley as Mauricio Pochettino is forced to turn to his second choice goalkeeper Michel Vorm.

Hugo Lloris has told the French media that he has only a small chance of being fit for the lunchtime clash this weekend after suffering a thigh injury at the end of last month.

It ruled the World Cup winner and long-standing Tottenham number one out of his team’s 2-1 loss at Watford last time out as well as for France during the international break.

Lloris does not expect to feature against Jurgen Klopp’s table-toppers on Saturday, which almost certainly paves the way for his deputy Vorm to start.

Speaking to RMC Sport, Lloris said: “Do I have a date of return? Not yet. I’m going to work hard to get back and as quickly as possible. There may be a chance this weekend but we will see according to the progress of the week.”

Vorm was between the sticks at Watford as Tottenham were undone twice at set-pieces in what has become a growing trend that must concern Pochettino and his staff.

The former Holland international, 34, is an experienced campaigner at both Premier League and Dutch Eredivisie level but he is nowhere near Lloris’ level.

It is a concern for Spurs that he rarely features, accumulating just 44 appearances in four years at the club.

Many of them have come in secondary fixtures, such as the cup competitions and in the lower profile Champions League fixtures.

Liverpool will never say it publicly, but will privately feel they have a far better chance of breaching Vorm than they do of expert shot-stopper Lloris.

The older man does not have the France and Spurs captain’s lightning reflexes or all-round athleticism.

As preparations for Saturday’s match get into full swing, Liverpool will feel they already have an advantage.