London, England (SportsNetwork.com) - Things will not get any easier for Liverpool as the club will hope to rebound from a disappointing defeat when it travels to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham on Sunday.
The Reds suffered a debilitating 3-1 defeat to Manchester City on Monday, a result that certainly gives the Citizens the slight psychological edge early on in the race for the title.
But hopes of getting back into the win column must be tempered as Liverpool will face a Spurs side that is sitting atop the table after two games.
Tottenham opened the season with a 1-0 defeat of West Ham United, a solid result given that Spurs played much of the match with only 10 men. Mauricio Pochettino's men followed that match by cruising to a 4-0 drubbing of QPR on Sunday, putting the club atop the table on goal difference.
But Liverpool will be boosted by the return of new signing Adam Lallana, who has recovered from an injury suffered in the early stages of the club's preseason tour of the United States.
"Adam will be in the squad, for sure," said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers. "He has looked fantastic in training. Of course he is well short of match fitness but in training for the last couple of weeks he has been exceptional."
Lallana's return to the fold is a big boost for a club that saw several players hobble off the Etihad pitch on Monday, but Rodgers believes a week of competitive training bodes well for Liverpool's trip to London.
"We'll see closer to the game," Rodgers continued. "Young (Alberto) Moreno twisted his ankle, which was unfortunate, but he has been recovering well this week. Glen Johnson is probably the one that it could be difficult for, with a thigh problem. Jose Enrique has been back training for over a week, and looks very strong and fit. But, again, he hasn't had a lot of game time. We'll see over the next 48 hours.
"The group has been brilliant in training this week - the focus has been very good."
Arsenal will return to action on Sunday, as well. The Gunners showed great resolve to erase a two-goal deficit and claim a point from a 2-2 draw with Everton last weekend, and despite Olivier Giroud's injury, the club will hope to carry that form over to its meeting with Leicester City at the KP Stadium.
Also on Sunday, Aston Villa will play host to Hull City at Villa Park.
Manchester City will look to keep the pressure on Tottenham at the top of the table by seeking a victory over Stoke City at the Etihad on Saturday, while Chelsea will endure its toughest league test of the new season as it heads to Goodison Park to face Everton.
Manchester United will be aiming to put the embarrassing League Cup loss to MK Dons in the rearview as the Red Devils travel to Turf Moor to face Burnley on Saturday, and Swansea City will go for its third win of the campaign when it welcomes West Bromwich Albion to the Liberty Stadium.
Also on Saturday, Newcastle returns to action with a home match against Crystal Palace, QPR and Sunderland will battle for their first wins of the new season when they square off at Loftus Road and West Ham United will welcome Southampton to Upton Park.
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