Liverpool hosts Spurs at Anfield on Sunday looking to get back to winning ways. The Reds could have had three opposition players in their line-up this weekend.
Liverpool’s meeting with Tottenham looked like being a decisive match in the races for the title and top four. Instead, it is a clash between two sides whose recent runs have ended those aspirations.
The Reds have slipped five points behind Arsenal at the top of the Premier League after winning just one of their last five matches. Spurs’ 2-0 defeat to Chelsea on Thursday night means Ange Postecoglou’s men are seven behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and set to miss out on the Champions League.
Both sides surprised plenty of people with their performances and results at the start of the campaign, with this season seen as one of transition. But recent displays have left a lot to be desired.
Jürgen Klopp and Postecoglou will be eager to end the season on a high, with this being the penultimate home match of the Liverpool boss’ tenure. His side travels to Aston Villa next Monday before an emotional farewell against Wolves on the final day.
Spurs meanwhile have three games to come after this one. This weekend, Klopp will be lining up against a number of players who he could have been working with, had transfers gone to plan.
Son Heung-min
Son joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 in a $32m (£25m/€30m) deal. After a slow start, he has developed into one of the best players in the Premier League.
The Spurs captain has a decent record against Liverpool, scoring five times in his last six matches against the Reds, and Jürgen Klopp rued never signing the South Korean ace. He had wanted to sign Son from Hamburg for Borussia Dortmund, before his move to Leverkusen.
Son felt he would get more opportunities with Leverkusen and Klopp told Korean outlet KBS News in 2021: “One of the biggest mistakes in my life is not signing Son Heung-min. He is fantastic and one of the best strikers in the world.”
There have been links to Liverpool over the years but Son has remained in north London. He was named captain by Postecoglou this season.
Yves Bissouma
Long before last summer’s midfield overhaul, Klopp was reportedly looking to strengthen his squad with Yves Bissouma. The Mali international had caught the eye with Brighton, having arrived from Lille in 2018.
It was reported by The Times in 2021 that Klopp wanted Bissouma as a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, who was joining Paris Saint-Germain that summer. Arsenal and Manchester United was also keen on the midfielder, who reportedly asked to leave Brighton.
But a sufficient bid never arrived and he remained with the Seagulls for another season before joining Tottenham. He cost Spurs $38m (£30m/€35m) and has impressed this term under Postecoglou.
Timo Werner
Liverpool was said to be keen on Germany international Timo Werner as it looked to strengthen its attack after winning the Premier League.
ESPN reported Klopp had even spoken to Werner about a move to Anfield but Liverpool pulled the plug due to concerns over the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Werner joined Chelsea instead that summer in a $59m (£47m/€55m) deal and helped the Blues win the Champions League. He was hardly prolific during his two seasons at Stamford Bridge and rejoined RB Leipzig before the start of last season.
Spurs snapped him up on loan in January and have the option to make the deal permanent this summer. Werner will not feature at Anfield on Sunday due to a hamstring injury.
