Tottenham Hotspur will face Liverpool in a thrilling Premier League clash on Sunday afternoon, with both teams coming into the match in strong form. This encounter promises to be a high-stakes battle as both sides aim to maintain their momentum in the league, with Tottenham looking to recover from a shaky spell and Liverpool striving to hold onto their position at the top of the table.
Tottenham Hotspur’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, has seen his side bounce back from a difficult period, including a dramatic 4-3 victory over Manchester United in midweek. Despite a few defensive blunders, Spurs managed to edge out the Red Devils in a thrilling encounter, with Son Heung-min’s corner kick proving to be the decisive moment. Spurs also enjoyed a dominant 5-0 win over Southampton in their previous league outing, a performance that lifted their spirits after a run of poor results. However, Tottenham still sits mid-table in the Premier League, five points adrift of the coveted Champions League spots, and they are determined to avoid a four-match winless streak at home, something they haven’t experienced since their White Hart Lane days in 2013.
Liverpool, under manager Arne Slot, has been in excellent form this season. They are unbeaten in their last 20 matches across all competitions, and they remain at the top of the Premier League heading into this fixture. However, their lead is no longer as comfortable, with Chelsea closing the gap to just two points. Despite a few recent draws, including a 2-2 stalemate with Fulham after losing Andy Robertson to a red card, Liverpool has been a dominant force, particularly away from home, where they have maintained an unbeaten record. The Reds are also still in contention for multiple trophies, including the EFL Cup, where they progressed to the semi-finals with a narrow win over lower-league opposition.
The team news heading into this match sees Tottenham facing significant injury concerns, particularly in defense. Ben Davies, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Guglielmo Vicario are all unavailable, while Mikey Moore, Wilson Odobert, Richarlison, and Rodrigo Bentancur are also sidelined. Despite these absences, Postecoglou could welcome back Timo Werner from a viral infection, and Destiny Udogie, who was a doubt after coming off early in the Southampton game, is expected to be fit for the match. The key for Tottenham will be maintaining defensive stability despite their injury woes, and the attacking trio of Son Heung-min, James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski will need to step up to support new striker Dominic Solanke.
Liverpool, on the other hand, will be without Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate due to injury, but the rest of their squad is in good shape. Andrew Robertson returns from suspension, but with Kostas Tsimikas now available after recovering from an ankle injury, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Greek international start. Mohamed Salah, who has been in sensational form this season, will be a key figure for Liverpool, with the Egyptian winger already contributing 13 goals and 9 assists in the Premier League. Salah could make history by becoming the first player to reach double figures in both goals and assists before Christmas in a single Premier League season.
In terms of possible lineups, Tottenham is likely to field Fraser Forster in goal, with Pedro Porro, Eric Gray, Radu Dragusin, and Udogie forming the defense. Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr will anchor the midfield, while Kulusevski, Maddison, and Son will support Solanke in attack. For Liverpool, Alisson Becker will start in goal, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, and Tsimikas in defense. The midfield will likely feature Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, with Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Luis Diaz providing support to Diogo Jota in attack.
This match is shaping up to be an exciting contest, with both teams boasting attacking talent and a desire to secure important points. Tottenham will need to overcome their defensive issues and make the most of their attacking opportunities, while Liverpool will look to continue their strong away form and keep their title charge on track. With both sides in form and key players like Salah and Son in scintillating form, fans can expect a thrilling encounter in North London.
