Tottenham take on Liverpool on Thursday night in a crucial game for both sides' aspirations of challenging for the Premier League title.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the talking points.

Mourinho v Klopp

December's reverse fixture, which Liverpool won 2-1 with a stoppage-time goal, ended in an exchange of words between Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp as one of the biggest current managerial rivalries heated up.

Mourinho told his counterpart that "the best team lost", which did Klopp did not take lying down. However, the German should not have minded too much as it extended his good record over Mourinho.

In the 12 games they have come up against each other, in games between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester United, and Liverpool against Tottenham, Klopp has been on the winning side six times. Four have been draws and Mourinho has won just twice, the last coming in a 2-1 win for Manchester United in 2018.

Will Liverpool end their slump?

Spurs' over-reliance on Kane and Son has been exacerbated by the underwhelming return of Gareth Bale, who has been hit by injury and illness in his second stint in north London.

The Wales international has shown nothing of the form that made him the world's most expensive player in 2013 or a four-time Champions League winner at Real Madrid and has spent most of the season on the bench or in the treatment room.

Indeed, he has played just 45 minutes of Premier League action since early November and that is simply not enough.

He did get through his first 90 minutes of the season against Wycombe in the FA Cup on Monday so Mourinho will be hoping that he is now in a position to begin influencing league games.

He is likely to start on the bench against Liverpool, but could be ready to make an impact if he is called upon.