Liverpool are “guaranteed” to have at least 70% possession in Wednesday’s top-of-the-table Premier League clash with Tottenham, according to Robbie Fowler.
Jurgen Klopp’s side host Jose Mourinho’s well-drilled Spurs team at Anfield in mid-week knowing the type of challenge they face.
Spurs have shut out Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal in recent weeks by playing a solid, counter-attacking style, which has seen them go unbeaten since the first game of the season.
Mourinho’s side had just 30% possession in their 2-0 home win over rivals Arsenal on 6 December and Liverpool legend Fowler is expecting a similar approach at Anfield.
“Look at the way Spurs have played this season and it’s not hard to predict what they’ll do at Anfield,” he wrote in his Sunday Mirror column.
“They beat City without any possession, they beat Arsenal the same way. ‘They can keep the ball and we’ll keep the points,’ says Mourinho.
“And I can almost guarantee Liverpool will have at least 70% possession. I can guarantee they will be frustrated and asked to break down strict, organised lines of deep defence.
“City knew they’d be up against that and prepared all week for it. So did Arsenal. Both lost.
“You can see it coming, but it’s hard to do anything about it - especially with the quality Tottenham have at their disposal to implement those plans.”
Fowler says Liverpool will have to try and keep things simple by moving the ball quickly avoiding the temptation to shoot from distance.
“That’s exactly what Spurs will want, for Liverpool to try things they don’t normally do,” he added.
“It’s what Arsenal did last week. That is suicidal against Mourinho.
“So keep it as simple as possible. Play the simple ball, no risk. Pass simple and swiftly, get them outnumbered in areas and the gaps come.
“You have to trust in the plans. It sounds simple doesn’t it? It’s the hardest thing in the world to do under pressure of a team frustrating you at every turn and especially when Mourinho is a master of it.
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“I’ll say this though. If there is one team that can do it, it’s Liverpool.”
