Liverpool will kick-off the new season against the same team they ended last season against, as Tottenham welcome the Reds to White Hart Lane on Sunday at 16:00 hours (BST). Fernando Torres, who goes into the match on the back of putting pen to paper on a new deal with the Merseysiders, will be looking to celebrate the deal with all three points and a goal or two against one of his ‘favourite’ teams.

The Anfield striker has fond memories of his meetings with Spurs. The Spaniard opened the scoring against the Londoners on the final day of last season as the Merseysiders ran-out 3-1 winners. Torres’ goal was the Spaniard’s 17th of the season, but more importantly, it was also his 50th for his club since joining from Atletico Madrid.

Torres also made league history against Spurs on the last day of his debut year in England (2007/08 season). White Hart Lane was the scene of Fernando’s 24th goal in the Premier League. The Spaniard’s tally was a new record as Fernando’s strike against Tottenham took him one past the previous record holder Ruud Van Nistelrooy (23 goals)- as the striker with the highest goal tally in a debut season in the Premier League.

A victory for Liverpool against Tottenham would mean that the Reds would become the first team to reach 5,000 points in the top flight of English football. The Anfield club currently lead the all-time points table and it will only be a matter of time before they break the 5,000 points barrier.

Last season saw Rafa Benitez’ team lose only two league games. The first of their defeats came against bottom of the table Spurs who came back from behind to beat the Reds 2-1. The other defeat for the Reds came against Middlesbrough (2-0) as the Merseysiders’ title ambitions were dealt a major blow.

Spurs could be without three first choice defenders on Sunday. Jonathan Woodgate is recovering from groin surgery, while fellow defender Michael Dawson has an achilles injury and Ledley King has a back strain.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is doubtful for the match with a groin injury he picked-up playing for England against Holland in an international friendly. The good news for the Anfield club is that manager Rafa Benitez could have both Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel available for Sunday’s clash.

The Reds will be without midfielder Xabi Alonso who left Liverpool to sign for Real Madrid,and although Rafa Benitez brought in Alberto Aquilani from Roma to replace the Spaniard, the new signing will not feature as he is recovering from an ankle injury.

Fernando Torres and his team-mates will be looking to improve on last year’s second-place finish as Liverpool set their sights on their first league title since 1989/90. The Reds and their North-West neighbours Manchester United are both tied on 18 top-flight league titles, as the race for title number 19 begins.