It’s time Tottenham and Mauricio Pochettino end hoodoo against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool

When there is a hurdle in his path, Mauricio Pochettino usually finds a way to clear it. He has exploited weaknesses in most of Tottenham’s Premier League rivals and, this season, has repeated the trick against Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid.

Yet, since Jurgen Klopp arrived at Liverpool two years ago, he has had the measure of the Argentine. Two draws in Klopp’s first season - 0-0 at White Hart Lane, 1-1 at Anfield - were followed last term by another 1-1 in north London and two home wins for Liverpool, 2-1 in the EFL Cup and 2-0 in the League. The latter result, in February, prompted Pochettino to say his team were “not ready to fight for the title”.

If Spurs are off colour, Liverpool are their worst nightmare. Like many teams, Liverpool are happy to let Tottenham have the ball in their own half, but when they regain it, their counter-attacks are as devastating as any in the division.

In the first half against Bournemouth last week, Tottenham were occasionally sloppy in possession but their opponents could not take advantage. You can be certain that Philippe Coutinho, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino would not be quite as generous. In the League at Anfield last season, both Sadio Mane’s goals happened because a Spurs player was hesitant on the ball.

“It will be a difficult game for Tottenham,” predicts Standard Sport columnist Danny Murphy. “It sounds ridiculous to say it when they are playing Liverpool, but after such a good result and performance at Real Madrid, there is a risk of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s Show’.

“Tottenham have not played particularly well at Wembley and Liverpool will go there and think, ‘We can beat them’. Liverpool have creative players who can open up any team, even allowing for Mane’s injury. Spurs were so strong at the back last season because the midfield partnership of Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama gave terrific protection to the defence. Even though they’ve done well without them this season, they don’t look quite as solid.

“If Spurs play the same way as they did in Madrid, with Moussa Sissoko, Harry Winks and Christian Eriksen in central midfield, Liverpool will fancy their chances. Coutinho and Firmino will find space and Salah will drift off the flank into that No10 position. Klopp will not fear Tottenham and his team will embrace the challenge.”

It is a huge compliment to Pochettino and his squad that they have still thrived despite the limited contribution of Wanyama and Dembele, but it would be no surprise to see Eric Dier restored to midfield on Sunday.

With Manchester United awaiting at Old Trafford next Saturday and Real Madrid arriving at Wembley four days later, the next two weeks should be an accurate test of how well Tottenham can compete on two fronts.