Good afternoon! Thank you for joining Sports Mole for what promises to be a thrilling match between Liverpool and Tottenham!

Both sides have been playing some superb football recently, and this match should showcase two free-flowing styles that, hopefully, will result in an entertaining 90 minutes.

Spurs are probably just about favourites for this one, and their recent form backs that status up. Anfield is never an easy place to come to for any team, but Tottenham won't find a better time to visit as they are playing some spell-binding football at the moment.

Spurs have lost just one of their last 17 matches in all competitions, and have not tasted defeat in the league since December 9. This run has seen them rise to third in the Premier League table, and a win today could see them move five points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea.

Liverpool, meanwhile, would move above city rivals Everton with a win this afternoon. They are currently three points behind the Toffees, but their superior goal difference would see them leapfrog the blue half of Merseyside into sixth place.

A win would also put Brendan Rodgers's men just two points behind Arsenal, although both the Gunners and Everton would have a game in hand over Liverpool.

Their recent form has been pretty good, which bodes well for the Reds this afternoon. They have won their last three games in all competitions, scoring 12 goals and conceding just one in the process. Before that, however, they had gone five games without winning and it is that sort of inconsistency that has plagued Liverpool this season.

On form, Liverpool are arguably as good as anyone in the league. Their last five league wins have contained two 5-0s, one 4-0 and two 3-0s, but these have been punctured by defeats to the likes of West Bromwich Albion at home.

TEAM NEWS: The team news is in for both sides, and the headline news from the Liverpool camp is that there is no Pepe Reina. Brad Jones starts in goal for the Reds, while Jamie Carragher also gets the nod ahead of Martin Skrtel. Full team news coming right up.

LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Jones; Johnson, Enrique, Agger, Carragher; Lucas, Gerrard, Downing, Coutinho; Sturridge, Suarez

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Gulacsi, Wisdom, Skrtel, Henderson, Allen, Shelvey, Sterling

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STARTING XI: Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto; Parker, Livermore, Sigurdsson, Dembele, Bale; Defoe

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBS: Friedel, Naughton, Caulker, Gallas, Huddlestone, Carroll, Holtby

All eyes will be on Suarez and Bale today. The duo, along with Robin van Persie, are favourites for the Player of the Year award, and today will provide a real chance for both to shine and show exactly why they should win it.

Suarez is the league's top scorer and, without him, I hesitate to predict where Liverpool would be this season. I would stop short of calling them a one-man team, but Suarez is certainly the jewel in the crown of Brendan Rodger's side.

Sturridge has provided adequate assistance to Suarez since joining in January, and Spurs will have to be wary of the threat he can pose as well today. Phillipe Coutinho has also made a good start to his Liverpool career, and the young playmaker has the ability to create chances for the front two. Elsewhere, Downing has begun to put in good performances on a regular basis, and Gerrard is always capable of coming up with that special something to change a game.

Just as Suarez is the main man for Liverpool, Bale is undoubtedly Tottenham's star attraction at the moment. The winger is in scintillating form at the moment, putting in great performances time after time and scoring goals as well. He will certainly be the man to watch for Liverpool, and I expect Lucas to follow him round the field all day long, preventing him from making the most of the free role that has served him so well in the last few weeks.

Even away from Bale, Spurs have plenty of quality throughout their side. The likes of Sigurdsson and Dembele looked very bright during their midweek win over Inter Milan, and although Defoe is going through something of a goal drought at the moment, he is always capable of getting his name on the scoresheet.

Spurs are missing Aaron Lennon, however, which is a big loss for Andre Villas-Boas. The winger had been on top form in recent weeks, and his pace would have caused problems for Enrique and Johnson.

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Spurs have the edge when it comes to recent history between these two clubs - Liverpool have not won this fixture for over three years, during which time they have played each other six times.

The reverse fixture earlier this season ended 2-1 to Spurs, with Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale getting on the scoresheet for Tottenham. Bale was also responsible for Liverpool's goal, diverting the ball into his own net to give the Reds hope with just under 20 minutes to go.

Liverpool won't need reminding that they were hammered by today's opponents last season. Luka Modric, Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor all scored in a 4-0 win for Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Spurs did the double over Liverpool that season, a feat they will be looking to repeat this afternoon.

The last time Liverpool won this fixture, Dirk Kuyt scored twice as the Reds ran out 2-0 victors. His goals were set up by Alberto Aquilani and David N'Gog, which means that none of the three players involved in the goals are at the club anymore.

It will be interesting to see whether Bale does operate in the free role again today. Lennon's absence means that the Wales international is the only recognised winger in the side, so they could choose to leave him out wide to give them extra width. Sigurdsson has been playing on the wing in recent weeks but it is not his natural position and he tends to cut inside a lot, and the same would apply for Dembele if Villas-Boas chooses to play him on the wing.

This match will certainly not be a walk in the park for either side, but Liverpool have been woefully inconsistent at times this season and Spurs are in great form going into this one. The result could well depend on which Liverpool turns up.

The Reds have a pretty average record at home so far this season. They have won seven, drawn three and lost four of their 14 games at Anfield, picking up 24 points in the process. Their points total means that they have the eighth-best home record in the league, so they are still some way from recreating Anfield as a fortress.

Tottenham's away record is more impressive. They have picked up 26 points from 14 games in their travels this season - a total that can only be bettered by Manchester United. They have lost just four times away from home this season, winning eight and drawing the remaining two.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Anfield, and that can only mean one thing - prediction time! This one really could go either way. Liverpool tend to raise their game against the big clubs but, at the same time, they have a poor record against teams in the top half so far this season. Spurs are in dazzling form, but Anfield is always a tough place to win and I can see this one being a draw today. I'm going to go for 2-2.

Despite that prediction, I wouldn't be surprised if either side wins this one today. Tottenham are in the type of form that almost makes you expect them to win every game they play, and back-to-back wins against Arsenal and Inter Milan means that their confidence will be sky high.

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Liverpool, meanwhile, have been looked very impressive recently, but they are notoriously prone to putting in a lacklustre performance just when things seem to be looking good. They have lost to the likes of Aston Villa and West Brom at Anfield so far this season, but have also recorded some big scorelines too.

The teams are in the tunnel ready to come out now. This is a big game for both sides. A win for Liverpool would keep their faint hopes of claiming a Champions League spot alive, while three points for Spurs would go some way to securing a top-four spot for Villas-Boas's men.

A quick word on Jamie Carragher. The Liverpool stalwart will make his 500th league appearance today, and he will be hopeful of a clean sheet to mark the occasion. What a servant he has been to the club.

The clubs are lined up and we're just about ready to go at Anfield.

Here we go! Spurs get us underway.

Liverpool have a hint of an opening early on as Suarez releases Sturridge down the right. The Uruguayan screams for the ball back and gets it, but Walker races back to get a foot in. Good defending but Spurs were almost opened up very easily there.

Again the hosts come close to breaking through the Tottenham defence. Lucas zips a probing pass behind the back four with Downing is looking to latch on to, but it is just inches too far in front of the winger and Lloris comes out to collect it.

It has been a very bright start to this one for Liverpool. They have been on the front foot in these very early stages and look to be in a confident mood.

SHOT! Sturridge has the first shot of the afternoon, but it isn't a very good one. Downing robs Assou-Ekotto of the ball and immediately feeds the Liverpool striker. Vertonghen forces him onto his weaker right foot, and his eventual is never troubling Lloris.

CHANCE! Coutinho and Sturridge have both settled in at Liverpool very quickly, and the duo combine to almost give Liverpool the lead. Coutinho's pass splits the defence, and Sturridge is clean through on goal, but he tries to take it past Lloris and his first touch sends him a long way wide of goal and the chance goes begging.

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Spurs have their first prolonged period of possession, but it all comes in their own half and eventually Dawson knocks it long and out of play.

Agger slides in on Dembele, who just nicks the ball past the Dane. The Spurs midfielder goes down under the challenge, and Spurs have a free kick from about 30 yards out. Bale is standing over it, which is ominous for Liverpool.

SAVE! Bale gets his trademark dip on the ball, which is swerving all over the place. Jones is across comfortably, but the movement on the ball makes it tough for the Liverpool keeper, who just bats it away from goal.

Tottenham have started to find their feet in this one now. Liverpool made a bright start but it has been a much more even game in the last five minutes or so.

Dawson puts in a crunching tackle on Suarez and both players get up and share a handshake afterwards. Good to see, particularly given Suarez's reputation as a diver. Dawson is limping a bit afterwards, but he should be able to continue.

SHOT! Spurs have their best spell of possession in the Liverpool half yet, getting in the space between the midfield and defence on a number of occasions. The ball is fed into Bale on the edge of the box and he lays it off to Sigurdsson, whose shot is blocked, allowing Jones to comfortably collect.

SHOT! Liverpool have a chance to break but Spurs get the defence back very quickly. Jose Enrique goes for goal but he shot is cleared out for a throw-in, from which Coutinho gets the ball and tries an ambitious curling effort that goes wide of the mark.

That is a really good goal by Liverpool, and that is also Suarez's 50th goal for the Reds. Coutinho plays a clever flick to Enrique before getting the ball back from the full-back. He then finds Enrique again with a clever disguised pass, and the former Newcastle man slips Suarez in behind the defence. The striker takes it early, poking it beyond Lloris at the near post to extend his impressive goalscoring tally this season.

Spurs have responded well to going behind, immediately going on the attack looking for an equaliser. Liverpool's defence holds firm against the initial attack, however.

UPDATE: Elsewhere in the Premier League, Stoke have taken the lead against Newcastle courtesy of a Jonathan Walters penalty.

CHANCE! Liverpool are playing some really nice football at the moment, and some more one-touch stuff almost opens Spurs up again. Downing finds Gerrard, who slips a fine pass behind the defence to Suarez. In the end the striker is in two minds whether to cross or shoot and does neither really as Lloris gets a hand to the effort to clear the danger.

Coutinho pings a beauty of a pass behind the Spurs defence, who are persisting with a high line despite being breached on a number of occasions already. Suarez is just beaten to the ball by Lloris, but the flag is up anyway.

UPDATE: Newcastle have equalised against Stoke courtesy of a Cabaye free kick. It's now 1-1 in that match.

Suarez arrives late on Dembele, who goes down fairly dramatically. Michael Oliver has a brief word with Suarez but waves off Tottenham's claims for a yellow card.

Spurs look to have opened Liverpool up for the first time as Johnson rushes into a tackle which he misses. Defoe is free in the place where Johnson would have been, but Downing shows great hunger and desire to get back and block Defoe's attempted effort.

SHOT! Bale has a dig from range, but his effort goes high up into the Kop, much to the delight of the home fans. Not one of his best, that.

SHOT! Bales runs at the Liverpool defence for the first time today and it is a dangerous run from the winger. Three Liverpool players come across to attend to him but he still gets the shot away. It is on his weaker foot, however, and doesn't test Jones.

CHANCE! That is Tottenham's best chance of the game by some distance, and they really should be level now. Dembele feeds the ball into Bale, who produces a delightful first-time flick into the path of Sigurdsson. The Spurs man has space to shoot with only Jones to beat, but he drags his shot wide of the mark from the edge of the area. Big chance.

SHOT! A Spurs attack is defended well by Liverpool, who immediately look to break on the counter attack. A long ball finds Sturridge, who knocks it down to Suarez before receiving the return pass. He moves it onto his stronger left foot and curls an effort goalwards which is easy for Lloris to hold.

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SHOT! It's Assou-Ekotto's turn to have a shot now. The left-back is fed down his flank and goes for goal from an unlikely angle. The shot is straight at Jones, though, and the Liverpool keeper holds on to it with ease.

Spurs are having a bit more joy going forward at the moment. They have been on top in the last five minutes or so and are beginning to find space just in front of the Liverpool dfence.

Bale is down hurt at the moment. He and Gerrard contested an aerial ball which the Liverpool skipper won, but there was a clash of heads involved too which has done the damage to Bale. Gerrard came steaming in there and a free kick has been awarded, but it's a harsh one as he won the ball cleanly.

The two centre-backs have stayed up from the free kick and Spurs reap the benefits. Bale picks up the ball straight after coming back on following treatment for his head injury, and it is he who swings the cross in to Vertonghen, who rises highest to nod the ball past Jones.

We will have three added minutes as Anfield.

Liverpool have not won a home game in which they have conceded this season, a stat they will be keen to change today. There is no doubting that Spurs scored at a great time, however, and Rodgers will have to pick his side up during the break now.

An entertaining first half ends on a high for Tottenham. They were on top at the end and got a deserved equaliser through Jan Vertonghen late on. Luis Suarez had put Liverpool ahead with a trademark finish, but that late goal will have changed both managers' teamtalks.

Both sides had periods when they were on top in that opening 45 minutes. Liverpool dominated for the 10 or so minutes after their goal, but Tottenham were in the ascendancy for a while preceding their goal.

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A draw would not be a terrible result for either side in this one. For Liverpool, a point against a Tottenham team in such good form could be looked upon as a good result, while coming away from Anfield with anything could be seen as a plus for Spurs. However, after that first half both teams will be hopeful of kicking on and winning this one. They will be confident that they can do just that.

UPDATE: It's all over at St James' Park and Newcastle have won it late through Cisse. They run out 2-1 winners over Stoke City.

Back at Anfield, what will both managers be saying in their respective teamtalks? Well, Rodgers will be happy with what he saw for much of that first half, but he will want his side to keep finding the space behind the Spurs defence. If they can do that, Suarez and Sturridge are more than capable of finishing any chance they may get.

Villas-Boas, meanwhile, will be urging his side to start the second half as they finished the first. They were outplayed in the first half an hour or so, but really found their feet in the latter stages of the half. They were finding the space in between Liverpool's midfield and defence regualarly, which was causing problems for the Reds.

Some quick stats for you from that opening 45 minutes. Both sides had seven shots, with Liverpool getting three on target compared to Tottenham's four. Spurs enjoyed more of the ball too, claiming 53% possession to Liverpool's 47%.

A big second half awaits both of these sides. They will both be confident of getting three points today after that first half and it will be interesting to see which way this one goes.

The players are back out on the field ready for the second half.

Liverpool get us back underway at Anfield.

Jones rolls the ball out to Lucas, whose first touch is bad enough to interest Defoe. The Brazilian just recovers in time to poke the ball to Carragher, however, and Liverpool get away with it.

Gerrard clips a disguised pass towards Sturridge and Downing, but Vertonghen plucks the ball out of the air with a brilliant piece of control before clearing the danger.

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Half-chance for Liverpool as Gerrard slips Suarez in down the right. The Uruguayan sends a ball across towards Sturridge, who misses it but has a chance to get the rebound after a poor clearance. He can't control it, however, and Spurs scramble it clear.

CHANCE! That's the first opening for Defoe today, he has been largely anonymous. This time he is given the ball down the right channel and goes for goal despite the angle being against him. Jones saves his effort and Liverpool clear the rebound to safety.

Vertonghen has scored again! Once more it all comes from a Bale ball into the box, this time via a free kick. Carragher rises to head it clear but, under pressure from Dawson, he can't get enough on it. The ball drops to Vertonghen, who hesitates before swinging a leg at it and lashing it past Jones. Advantage Spurs!

YELLOW CARD! Suarez tries to release Sturridge behind the defence, but the ball is halted by Vertonghen's arm. The home fans want a red card for a deliberate handball, but the ref pulls out a yellow.

OFF THE POST! Spurs are one of the best counter-attacking teams in the league and they showcase that talent again there. Bale picks up the ball in his own half an immediately races towards the Liverpool goal. Gerrard and Carragher are struggling to keep up, and Bale squeezes a cross to the back post where Sigurdsson is waiting unmarked. Johnson races out to him and gets a deflection on the shot, turning it onto the outside of the post.

LIVERPOOL SUB: This seems like quite a negative sub from Rodgers. He replaces Coutinho with Joe Allen, a strange one considering they are chasing the game. Perhaps a chance for Gerrard to move into a more advanced role?

SAVE! Dembele works space to shoot from about 25 yards out, sliding past a couple of players before unleashing his effort. It is straight at Jones, but the Liverpool keeper doesn't see it til late and can't hold it. No Spurs players are following in, however, and Jones collects at the second time of asking.

Liverpool have struggled to come up with anything in the final third so far in this half. It is Tottenham who are winning the midfield battle at the moment and that is starving Suarez and Sturridge of service.

The man is a goal machine! Downing gets his second in as many games but it is a horror show from Spurs. Walker sends an inexplicable long ball back towards Lloris who, as usual, is quick off his line to try and meet it. Downing is bearing down on the keeper, however, causing him to miss it and leaving Downing with only Vertonghen on the line to beat. The winger keeps his composure, bringing it closer to the goal before smashing it right-footed between the defender's legs. Game on!

Liverpool now have a corner as Assou-Ekotto block Johnson's cross. The home fans are in good voice at the moment - they believe that they can go on and win this one!

SHOT! The header is only cleared as far as Jose Enrique on the edge of the box, and the full-back hits it first time, but pulls it wide of the mark. That was a chance made for someone like Gerrard.

Sturridge is released behind the Tottenham defence, but cuts back to get onto his stronger left foot. He chooses to go alone, trying to take on Vertonghen, who sticks with the striker before putting in a fine tackle. Good defending from Tottenham's goalscorer.

SIDE NETTING! A deep cross from Jose Enrique finds Sturridge unmarked at the back post. It's too tight an angle for him to make anything of it, however, as he heads it into the side netting. Cue cheers from half of the ground who thought it had snuck inside the post.

CHANCE! Bale has caused problems with his deliverys into the area today, but this time it is him on the end of a cross. Walker swings it in and the Welshman rises highest to meet it, but his glancing header ends up quite a way wide of the goal. A very similar chance to the one he scored against Inter Milan during the week.

PENALTY SHOUT! Downing clips a ball over the top to Sturridge, who takes it into his path but yet again it is on his right foot so he doesn't shoot straight away. Vertonghen is the wrong side of Sturridge and, in an attempt to win the ball, just catches the striker's ankle. Sturridge doesn't need to go down, but does so in ridiculously dramatic fashion and the ref correctly waves his claims away. He is lucky not to be booked for diving there.

Liverpool pour forward in number on the counter attack as Sturridge releases Suarez with a long, searching pass. Enrique is steaming into the box, but Suarez uses him as a decoy runner, going for goal himself. His shot is blocked, however, and the chance goes begging for Liverpool.

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Tottenham are architects of their own downfall again. Defoe loops the ball back towards his own goal when there was no reason to do so. He only succeeds in playing Suarez in, and the Uruguayan is bundled over by Assou-Ekotto. The ref has no choice but to point to the spot, and Gerrard calmly slots it into the bottom right corner, sending Lloris the wrong way.

TOTTENHAM SUB: Lewis Holtby comes on for Jake Livermore as Villas-Boas looks to get his side back into this one.

I know he is good, but this is ambitious even for Bale's standards. He goes for goal from a free kick about 45 yards from goal. It isn't a bad effort to be fair, dipping viciously and landing on the roof of the net, but he should never beat Jones from that distance.

PENALTY SHOUT! Liverpool should have another penalty! Vertonghen takes a heavy touch in the area and Johnson nicks the ball away from him. The defender lunges in an attempt to win it back, tripping Johnson over in the process, but Oliver waves it away, perhaps as the ball had run away from Johnson.

LIVERPOOL SUB: That is all we will see from Sturridge today. He is replaced by Jordan Henderson as Rodgers looks to see this one out.

Vertonghen is playing as another striker now, surely he couldn't get a hat-trick in this one...could he?!

Downing concedes a soft free kick in a good position for Spurs to whip a cross into the box here. This could be their final chance.

TOTTENHAM SUB: On comes Tom Carroll for Assou-Ekotto as the fourth official signals three minutes of added time.

The free kick is cleared by Liverpool and Suarez tries to break free on the counter attack. He is followed by a number of Tottenham players, however, and is eventually crowded out.

Bale tries to create something in the latter stages, clipping a cross in towards the back post, but no-one is there for Spurs. That could be it.

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There is the final whistle and it is a huge win for Liverpool! They move above Everton and to within two points of Arsenal in fifth place. Spurs, meanwhile, taste defeat for the first time in the Premier League since their last visit to Merseyside when they lost to Everton.

Spurs only have themselves to blame for that defeat, however. Two terrible backpasses led to Liverpool's second and third goals, cancelling Jan Vertonghen's double out. Suarez gave the Reds the lead in the first half, finishing off a good move in his own inimitable style.

Liverpool have now won three games in a row for the first time under Brendan Rodgers, and their slim hopes for Champions League qualification stay alive. For Spurs, meanwhile, they remain in third but have missed the chance to go within two points of Manchester City and five points clear of Chelsea.

Right, that's it from me today! Thank you for joining Sports Mole for what was a pulsating 90 minutes of Premier League football. Liverpool have come out on top at the end of it, beating Spurs 3-2 courtesy of goals from Luis Suarez, Stewart Downing and Steven Gerrard. I will leave you with Liam Apicella's match report, and be sure to stick around for the match analysis which will be up within half an hour. If you want more live football, join Pascal for the end of Manchester United vs Chelsea, in which Chelsea have fought back to make it 2-2. You can find that here. From me, though, it's goodbye!