Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Match Preview: Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur

Liverpool forward Ryan Babel comes back into contention for a place in the squad to face Tottenham after apologising to manager Rafael Benitez.

The Holland international accepted his mistake over remarks made on Twitter and Benitez has now deemed the matter closed.

Striker Fernando Torres (knee) and midfielders Steven Gerrard (hamstring) and Yossi Benayoun (rib) are all out.

Midfielders Alberto Aquilani and new signing Maxi Rodriguez could feature from the start if the Liverpool boss opts for a more attacking line-up at home.

Babel has been restored to the squad by Benitez after apologising to the manager.

The Holland international found himself in trouble at the club after revealing on his Twitter page last Friday that he had not been included in the party for the match at Stoke the following day.

However, the frustrated Dutchman has accepted his error and will now fight for a place in the squad to face Spurs.

"He came to my office and apologised,'' said Benitez.

"He knows he has made a mistake and for me that is enough and I don't need to talk too much about this.

"Ryan will be in the squad because we have 20 players ready for the training session tomorrow so it (selection) is between these 20 players.''

Jamie O'Hara has been included in the Tottenham squad.

O'Hara has returned from a loan spell at Portsmouth and is likely to start on the bench.

Spurs are without Tom Huddlestone (knee) while Ledley King will have a late fitness test on his long running knee problem.

Boss Harry Redknapp wants his side to be the big beneficiaries of the recent cold snap when they travel to Anfield to face a Liverpool side without Torres or Gerrard.

Spurs were due to face their rivals for a Champions League place earlier in the month but the match was postponed due to snow, with Gerrard and Torres then suffering injuries in the FA Cup defeat to Reading.

Redknapp's own options have been bolstered by the return of O'Hara as the Premier League's transfer embargo for Portsmouth meant the midfielder could not re-register on loan at Fratton Park.

"I'd be lying if I stood here and said that the absence of Gerrard and Torres won't matter,'' said Redknapp.

"Of course, they are two world-class players, and they will miss them.

"But they have a strong squad. I have never been there and had an easy game. It is a difficult place to go.''

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