Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur: Is Redknapp’s European dream still on?

European football seemed like a distant dream when Harry Redknapp took over at White Hart Lane in October, but here we are on the final day of the season with Tottenham Hotspur potentially just one win away from the Europa League.

The former West Ham United and Portsmouth coach has lost just 11 of his 41 games in charge of Spurs this season and has made them a tough nut to crack once again. They’ve lost just twice in the past nine games and conceded nine, although five of them did come in that controversial game at Old Trafford. But if they want to be in Europe next season they are going to have to hope that Everton beat Fulham – something they haven’t done at the Cottage for 43 years – and Spurs have to beat Liverpool at Anfield – a feat they have only managed once in the Premiership.

Liverpool are on course to finish second in the Premier League for only the second time and they know that a point will see them hold off the threat of Chelsea. Liverpool are the only team in the top flight with an unbeaten home record in the league and only the most passionate Spurs fan will believe that they can upset the Reds today.

One man who will be desperate to get one over his old teammates is Robbie Keane. The Irishman joined his boyhood heroes in the summer for £20 million but never really fitted in with Rafa Benitez’s plans, spending most of his time as a substitute before Redknapp rescued him from his Merseyside hell. I wonder what the price is on him scoring the winner?

Spurs will be without Aaron Lennon, Michael Dawson, Tom Huddlestone, Jamie O’Hara and Wilson Palacios while Jonathan Woodgate and Benoit Assou-Ekotto face late fitness tests.

Liverpool’s Sami Hyypia is expected to feature at some stage as he says farewell to Liverpool. The big Finn, who has been at Anfield for 10 years, is heading off to the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen and is sure to get a fantastic send off from the Liverpool fans.

Tottenham have triumphed over Liverpool twice this season, can Redknapp make it a hat-trick?

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur; Kick Off 4:00pm 24 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 1 - 2
Dave Blackburn : 3 - 0
Sue Gardener : 2 - 1
Chris Goodwin : 2 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Peter Lee : 2 - 1
Don McMahon : 2 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 2 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 2 - 1
Tony Ratton : 3 - 0
Peter Rendle : 3 - 0
Dan Taylor : 2 - 0
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 1
Isaac Williams : 2 - 0
Mark Williams : 2 - 0

Panel Verdict
The panel is expecting Liverpool to sign off with another win.

Home: 14; Draw: 1; Away: 1; TBC: 2.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!