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So I sat down to figure out how the Liverpool versus Tottenham game might play out based on their starting squads. Wanted to share how I went about it step by step since team sheets can totally change everything.
Digging Up the Possible Lineups
First thing I did was open six different browser tabs all at once. Checked the usual footy rumor sites, both clubs’ official social media, and some insider fan forums. Wasted a solid hour hitting refresh buttons like crazy. Ended up with three different setups for Liverpool – one with their main striker benched, one with that new defender playing, and one weird formation I found buried in some blog comments. Tottenham was even messier cause half their squad carried yellow cards already.
My Ghetto Tactics Notebook
Grabbed the shoddiest notebook I own – the one stained with coffee rings – and scribbled diagrams. Drew arrows showing how Tottenham’s left winger always cuts inside against slow defenders. Circled Liverpool’s midfielder who gets carded if pressured early. Smudged pencil marks everywhere trying to track attacking overlaps. Tore out two pages when I realized I had formations backwards. This took way longer than expected.
Key patterns that jumped out:
- Liverpool’s high defense leaving huge gaps behind when they push up
- Tottenham’s habit of crumbling if conceding before 30 minutes
- Both teams having right backs that can’t cross for crap
My Living Room Prediction Chaos
Tried simulating outcomes with bottle caps on my carpet. Used salt shakers as goals. Predictably ended up with three scenarios:
- Liverpool dominates if they start their pressing game early
- Tottenham steals it if Liverpool’s captain gets tired by halftime
- Total snoozefest 0-0 if both managers chicken out
Then the cat walked through everything and knocked over my “away supporters section” (which was actually just pepper flakes). Had to restart twice.
Why This Might Be Nonsense
Truth is player lineups only matter so much. Saw both teams last season field their ‘strongest’ squads only to lose 3-0 to underdogs. One red card or dodgy VAR call can flip everything. My notebook diagrams can’t capture that time Liverpool’s keeper forgot which foot was his left. Or when Tottenham’s star striker tripped over the advertising boards chasing a ball.
Still think I nailed the prediction though. Bet my mate a pint Liverpool wins if they start that young midfielder everyone’s sleeping on. We’ll see Sunday!