Mario Balotelli can’t have been happy to see his new club lose to his old one just hours after inking the long-term contract which ties him to Anfield for the foreseeable future, but the result was a humbling one for Balotelli and his new team mates. Last season’s surprise second-placed finish will be much harder to accomplish this term, and it is against teams like today’s opponents Tottenham who Liverpool must flex their attacking muscle if they want to prove a title challenge is possible once again. This afternoon though, Balotelli doesn’t have to watch on from the stands, and the sounds coming from manager Brendan Rodgers signal a debut at the earliest opportunity for the young Italian.

As for Spurs though, the nine goals they allowed Liverpool to hammer past them unanswered last campaign will mean revenge is certainly looking to be exacted. A repeat of the 5-0 demolition at White Hart Lane in December cannot happen again, and all at Tottenham will know a victory today will speak volumes for the progress which is being made under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.

It is progress which could, potentially, be eerily similar to that which Brendan Rodgers orchestrated last season. Could Pochettino, a manager who impressed by leading a club expected to be fighting against relegation in to Europa League contention, have the “Rodgers Effect” on his new club which, like Liverpool in 2013-14, is also wanting to return to the Champions League? That rocky and unstable path has already been traversed, and there is nothing to say it couldn’t happen again.

While just the third game in a long and gruelling 38-game season, today’s match is very much a collision without being hyped as such. These are two teams who may well be going at it hammer and tongs for a Champions League spot until the final fixtures of the season, and both sides will know that three points against close opposition just weeks in to the new season can provide a monumental psychological boost.

Team News

Liverpool

Glen Johnson and Martin Skrtel will miss the fixture at White Hart Lane but Jose Enrique and Alberto Moreno, who twisted an ankle on Monday against Manchester City, are both available to Brendan Rodgers. Mario Balotelli and Adam Lallana are expected to be handed debuts.

Tottenham

Roberto Soldado is set to be assessed before kick-off to determine whether he’s fit to play after missing the midweek Europa League qualifier because of back and neck problems, but new arrival Federico Fazio is available. The senior players who sat out the aforementioned midweek fixture are expected to be recalled by Mauricio Pochettino in what should be a well-rested starting 11 for Spurs.