Spurs vs Liverpool: Klopp relies on Sturridge amid injury crisis

The Premier League returns after the international break, with Welsh and Northern Irish players hopefully recovered from their celebrations after reaching Euro 2016.

Leaders Man City return to action against newly promoted Bournemouth and will expect to pick up where they left off after beating Newcastle 6-1 last time out, although five-goal hero Sergio Aguero is out for several weeks.

Arsenal, three points back in second place, face another newly-promoted club, Watford, and will hope to maintain the pressure on City with a victory at Vicarage Road.

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Usually Man United's visit to Everton would be the stand-out game of the weekend, but even the prospect of Wayne Rooney visiting his old stomping ground as third play eighth doesn't get top billing this week.

Two under-pressure managers meet at Stamford Bridge as 16th-placed Chelsea face Aston Villa, who are in 18th. Anything other than a win for Jose Mourinho against Tim Sherwood would surely get Roman Abramovich's trigger finger twitching, but even that prospect is not enough to make it game of the week.

The reason is Jurgen Klopp, who takes charge of Liverpool for the first time at White Hart Lane as the Reds visit Spurs.

"It will be intriguing to see Jurgen Klopp's first team selection and shape, and what response his arrival generates from his new players," says BBC commentator Steve Bower. "The German's performance off the pitch so far has been extremely positive - he'll hope that his team can continue that theme on it and add to the excitement of Klopp's appointment."

The German has certainly generated plenty of interest since his arrival at Anfield, but he has already been cursed by bad luck, losing both defender Joe Gomez and striker Danny Ings to serious knee injuries in his first week in charge.

Indeed, the German only has two fit strikers ahead of the visit to Spurs. Unusually, one of them is Daniel Sturridge who is sure to start up front, with Divock Origi likely to be warming the bench in the absence of Ings, Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino.

Klopp's desire for Liverpool to play dynamic 'gegenpress' football may also be hampered by the absence of Jordan Henderson, and it is unclear who he will pick in midfield for his first match in charge.

"It is not just the number of players Klopp will be without and the length of time that they will be absent, it is their type," says The Times. "Henderson, Ings and Gomez are among Liverpool’s most energetic players, the kind that Klopp anticipated playing significant roles in the 'full-throttle' style of football, complete with hard running and high pressing, that he is looking to unleash."

Of course the game is not only about Liverpool. Spurs, who lie one point and two places above the Reds in the table, will be hoping for three points after they beat Man City in their last home match.

However, Mauricio Pochettino will be without several key players including Son Heung-min, Ryan Mason, Nabil Bentaleb and Eric Dier.

But they will know what to expect in terms of spirit if not formation from Liverpool and Harry Kane has spoken of Spurs' strong desire to rain on Klopp's parade.