Liverpool host Tottenham at Anfield on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off) still searching for their first Premier League win of 2017.

Jurgen Klopp’s men have seriously struggled since the turn of the year, and have won just one of their ten games in all competitions.

That was an unconvincing 1-0 victory over League Two high-flyers Plymouth Argyle in an FA Cup third round replay last month, but other than that there has been little to cheer for the Anfield faithful this year.

Klopp’s men slipped to fifth in the Premier League following a 2-0 defeat at Hull last weekend, which extended their winless league run to five matches, and saw them fall 13 points behind leaders Chelsea.

However, the Reds proved earlier in the season that they are capable of going on long unbeaten runs, and that’s what they’ll need from now until May if they are to catch Antonio Conte’s men.

With no other competitions to worry about, Klopp’s men can put all their efforts into catching the Blues, and here is the Liverpool XI that can do just that…

Simon Mignolet

Deciding between the more experienced Simon Mignolet and young shot-stopper Loris Karius is proving to be tricky for Klopp.

That’s because Karius, who came in from Mainz last summer, made a few costly errors during his stint as number one at the rear end of last year, which saw Belgian international Mignolet replace him for the trip to Middlesbrough in December.

And, although the 28-year-old did well in between the sticks, the debate will continue following his mistake in the defeat at Hull last weekend.

Nonetheless, Mignolet did do well beforehand, especially against Manchester United at Old Trafford, so you’d expect him to keep the gloves for the next couple of weeks at least.

Nathaniel Clyne

Nathaniel Clyne has missed all but one Premier League game this season to underline his role as the number one right-back at Anfield.

The 25-year-old moved to Merseyside from Southampton back in 2015, and played a staggering 52 times for the Reds in his debut campaign last time out.

He may have lost the England right-back spot to Kyle Walker in recent times, but Clyne is adept both defensively and going forward, and certainly gives Liverpool another attacking option down the flanks.

Only injury or suspension will prevent Clyne from starting every game between now and May.

Dejan Lovren

It’s no secret that Liverpool have struggled defensively this season, although Dejan Lovren has certainly improved after a tough start to life at the club.

The Croatian international moved to Anfield in 2014 after one good season at Southampton, but he didn’t consistently replicate that form at his new club over his first two campaigns, despite making 77 appearances in that time.

However, the 27-year-old has been their senior centre-back in the absence of Joel Matip to injury, and he’s been reasonably steady in comparison to previous seasons.

Lovren is still prone to the odd error, but he’ll continue to be a regular feature in the backline between now and May.

Joel Matip

Cameroon international Joel Matip made a fine start to life in England earlier this season, having signed from Schalke last summer.

The 25-year-old seamlessly slotted into the Reds’ backline and was one of their most consistent performers in the early stages of the campaign, as he began to develop a solid partnership with Lovren.

However, an ankle injury thwarted his progress over the festive period, as he appeared just once in December, and didn’t return to the team until January 21 as a substitute in their 3-2 defeat to Swansea.

Nonetheless, Matip has started their last two Premier League games and, although he hasn’t quite been as solid and dependable as before, he’s an integral part of the back four, and one they need to keep fit between now and May if they are going to catch Chelsea.

James Milner

Alberto Moreno started the season at left-back, but that lasted just 90 minutes after a woeful display on the opening day against Arsenal.

Although the Reds did indeed win that match, Klopp decided not to play Moreno against Burnley, with James Milner coming in as a makeshift full-back, and he remains there now six months on.

The former England international has excelled at left-back this term, starting 22 of their 24 Premier League games, and also scoring six crucial goals to help the Reds get back near the top of the league.

Athough Milner is not the long-term solution to the left-back problem, he’s certainly good enough for now, and his consistency in that position will be integral if Liverpool are to reel Chelsea in over the coming months.

Jordan Henderson

He may not have been as good in recent weeks, but Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has still had a very solid season at Anfield.

The 26-year-old has started all but one of their 24 Premier League games this term, registering four assists and just the one goal, but what a goal it was in their 2-1 win over Chelsea back in September.

However, it has been his all round play in the midfield three that has won praise from many, as the England international has worked well in front of the back four, as well pulling the strings in the middle to allow the likes of Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum to get forward.

Four assists this term, which is already more than last season, suggests that he’s adding more to his offensive game as well, so his form between now and May will be crucial in Liverpool’s slim title chances.

Adam Lallana

Adam Lallana has become an increasingly important player for both club and country this season.

The England star, who was announced as the Three Lions’ Player of 2016 last month, has scored seven goals and laid on seven assists in 22 Premier League appearances for Liverpool this term, which means that he has been directly involved in more goals than other Red this season.

Like many, Lallana hasn’t quite started off 2017 in the same fashion, but it’s clear from the first half of the campaign that Klopp’s men often play better when he’s in the team, as his relentless work-rate and energy helps keep control in the midfield, but also create goal-scoring opportunities.

Clearly, his form between now and May will have a big say on where Liverpool finish in the league table.

Georginio Wijnaldum

Klopp has been chopping and changing between Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum in the centre of midfield, yet you suspect that the latter will get more gametime between now and May.

That’s because Wijnaldum was a regular part of the side that got to the top of the Premier League earlier in the campaign, grabbing two assists in his first four games of the campaign alongside impressive displays in the middle.

The Dutch international is also a big game player, as he netted the winner in the 1-0 success over Manchester City on New Year’s Eve, before being in that right place at the right time to head home an equaliser in the draw with Chelsea a few weeks ago.

His work in the middle doesn’t go unnoticed, while the partnership he struck up with Henderson and Lallana in the early phase of the campaign clearly worked, and it could be one that helps them get near to Chelsea over the coming months.

Roberto Firmino

Brazilian international Roberto Firmino looks like a different player under Klopp, and he has certainly hit the heights at times this term.

The 25-year-old moved from Hoffenheim in the summer of 2015, with Brendan Rodgers bringing him to Anfield, but Firmino didn’t net a goal under him before Rodgers lost his job in the October.

And since then, Firmino has been much improved, as he went on to net 11 times in all competitions last season, and has found the net nine times in 25 appearances so far this term.

However, he has scored just three goals in his last 13 league games, so he needs to re-discover his early season form soon to help the Reds reel Chelsea in.

Sadio Mane

It was clear from their results and performances how much Liverpool missed Sadio Mane while he was away at the African Cup of Nations.

The Senegalese international missed seven matches during January, of which the Reds only won one, and scored a mere five goals.

The 24-year-old is the club’s top-scorer this season with nine, and has also laid on four assists as part of a front three that were devastatingly good for much of the first half of the campaign.

Mane may need a bit of time to get back into the swing of things having flown back immediately from international duty, but when he’s back to full fitness and match sharp, he’ll get the goals and create the chances to help the Reds close the gap on Chelsea.

Philippe Coutinho

Like Mane, Liverpool did miss forward Philippe Coutinho when he was out injured during December.

The Brazilian international suffered an ankle injury in the win over Sunderland back in November, and then didn’t feature again in Klopp’s team until their semi-final first leg defeat to Southampton on January 11.

Coutinho scored five and laid on five assists prior to injury, and although he hasn’t re-discovered his early season form since returning to the side, it’s surely only a matter of time before he does.

Getting this front three back together and firing will be integral to Liverpool’s chances of catching Chelsea.