Chris Sutton predicts Tottenham vs Liverpool score as Thomas Frank needs a Christmas boost

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Chris Sutton understands Thomas Frank’s anger at his Tottenham players and has predicted how the Lilywhites will fare against Liverpool.

Under normal circumstances, Spurs fans would be excited ahead of the visit of another ‘big six’ side to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, there is barely any of that ahead of Saturday’s game, mainly down to how poor the North Londoners have been against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and others this season.

Tottenham are coming off two back-to-back home wins, but the 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest last weekend has turned up the pressure again on Thomas Frank.

Chris Sutton understands why Tottenham fans are concerned

Frank was extremely scathing of his side’s performance against Forest, and Sutton suggested that the Dane’s feelings were justified, given how lacklustre his players were at the City Ground.

The pundit also opined that Tottenham fans will want to see their side produce a good performance against a decent side like Liverpool before they get off their head coach’s back.

Speaking ahead of the Reds’ visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the former Celtic striker told BBC Sport: “It is normally a good game when these two sides meet, but going into it this time, I suppose both sets of supporters are unsure how their team will perform. At Tottenham, poor Thomas Frank is having a tough time of it.

“He was so furious after their defeat at Nottingham Forest that he said it felt like there was a hurricane inside him. I can understand why he is so angry, because Spurs were so limp and offered so little in that game.

“If you look at where they are in the table, 11th, then they are doing all right, but it is their performances that are lacking something. They have never really found any fluency under Frank.

“They did win their past two home games and Frank can cling on to that but, the way Spurs fans are, they are probably thinking: ‘It was only against Brentford and Slavia Prague. Winning this game would be far more of a statement.”

Sutton expects Spurs to get a result against Liverpool

Sutton admitted that he has no confidence in Tottenham to produce a decent showing in front of their fans on Sunday.

However, the 52-year-old confessed that he also has similar feelings about Arne Slot’s side, which is why he backed the Lilywhites to hold the away side to a score draw.

Sutton added: “Even though Mohamed Salah has left for Afcon, there are still questions over Liverpool too. Brighton had their moments last week, and it was not entirely comfortable for Arne Slot’s side, although I thought Hugo Ekitike was excellent.

“Liverpool could have another problem at right-back because Joe Gomez came off injured in that game. Dominik Szoboszlai has been their best player, in midfield, so if he recovers from the knock he picked up against the Seagulls but has to slot back in there, it would be a bit of a blow.

“I certainly don’t trust Spurs to turn up, but I don’t think you can fully trust Liverpool again either, especially away from home in the Premier League. Because of all of that, I can’t back either of them to win it.”

Score prediction: Tottenham 1-1 Liverpool