Redknapp to keep faith with blundering Gomes

Despite a series of high-profile and sometimes costly mistakes this season, Harry Redknapp will continue to show complete faith in his goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes against the league leaders Liverpool today.

The Brazilian international, signed by Tottenham this summer from PSV Eindhoven, has been put under the spotlight once more this week thanks to his errors against Arsenal on Wednesday night, two of which led to goals, even though Spurs ended up forcing a 4-4 draw. Redknapp has only worked with Gomes since last Sunday, when Tottenham beat Bolton 2-0. That rare clean sheet came three days after a mistake against Udinese, when Gomes needlessly conceded a penalty as they went on to lose in their Uefa Cup group game in Italy. There were errors, too, in the defeat at Stoke.

But Redknapp, appointed manager of Spurs last Saturday night, will keep faith in the 27-year-old against Liverpool, as the north London side attempt to pull themselves away from the foot of the Premier League. Of the man who cost £7.8m from the Dutch champions, he said: "Gomes has a world-class reputation. He's brave, he goes for the ball. Pat Jennings [the former Tottenham and Northern Ireland goalkeeper] feels he can be a big goalkeeper.

"We have a goalkeeping coach who works with Gomes but Pat's there watching and offering bits of advice. Pat feels that once Gomes settles in and the defence settles down, he will be fine. He wants to come for the ball and help everyone. He makes decisions, he doesn't stand on the line and do nothing. I know his record and what people around the world think of him."

Further upfield, Redknapp has witnessed a change in Luka Modric. A marginalised figure under previous manager, Juande Ramos, the Croatia playmaker has begun to show glimpses of the form that persuaded Spurs to pay £15.8m for him early this summer. Redknapp suggested he will be pivotal in their efforts to climb out of the relegation zone.

"We've got to get him on the ball," said Redknapp. "He can open things up for you. The last goal against Arsenal came when we played a little ball into him in a dangerous area, he shot and hit the post. 'Give him the ball' is what I tell the players. Eyal Berkovic at West Ham and Portsmouth was the same for me. A fantastic brain. I spoke to Slaven Bilic [Croatia's coach] about him and he thinks he's world-class. He's only a little guy but he wasn't getting intimidated by Arsenal, so I'm pleased with him."

*The former Tottenham midfielder Tim Sherwood has confirmed that he will join Redknapp's coaching staff.