Liverpool face a vital trip to Tottenham on Sunday afternoon, in a game that feels significant in the Premier League title race.
Tottenham vs. Liverpool
Premier League (16) | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
December 22, 2024 | 4.30pm (GMT)
The Reds head to Tottenham this weekend, looking to avenge last season’s 2-1 defeat there, when their nine men couldn’t hold on for a draw.
After two draws in a row in the league, Arne Slot will be well aware of how important getting back to winning ways is on Sunday.
Here’s all you need to know ahead of a huge match.
1. Liverpool could be second come Sunday
It doesn’t feel long ago that Liverpool felt in control of the Premier League title race, but things have changed.
Back-to-back league draws, coupled with the trip to Everton being postponed, have seen Chelsea close the gap to just two points having played one game more.
That means if the Londoners win at Everton on Saturday evening, Liverpool will have the added pressure of being second in the table when kickoff arrives.
As was the case when they played Arsenal last weekend – and got a draw! – it’s a case of ‘come on, Everton‘ for some!
2. Injury problems easing for Liverpool
Slot is still without Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate, although the pair are edging towards their return to the fold.
Other than that, Liverpool have a clean bill of health.
Kostas Tsimikas made his comeback against Southampton in the Carabao Cup in midweek, having recovered from an ankle problem, and Federico Chiesa also got important minutes.
It almost doesn’t feel right having so few injuries!
3. Spurs among Premier League’s most unpredictable sides
Watching Spurs is never dull, but supporting them must be infuriating.
Ange Postecoglou’s side are capable of losing at home to Ipswich and then winning 4-0 at Man City, and they were 5-0 up at half-time away to Southampton last weekend.
Postecoglou is under pressure, but his team beat Man United 4-3 in the cup on Thursday, again showing what an entertaining and unpredictable outfit they are.
If Liverpool start well on Sunday, they can put Spurs to the sword, but equally, the hosts have it in them to cause the Reds huge problems with their high-octane style.
4. Possible Liverpool XI
Slot rang the changes away to Saints on Wednesday, meaning key men will be raring to go on Sunday.
The likes of Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah are all expected to return to the starting lineup.
Andy Robertson is back from suspension after serving a one-game ban, so he is likely to return at left-back despite some iffy form.
Slot has to choose two from four out of Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota in attack, with the latter pair arguably the most likely to be on the substitutes’ bench.
That said, Nunez will be buoyed by his goal in midweek, and the fresher Jota becomes, the harder it will be for Slot to leave him out.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
5. How will Tottenham line up?
Tottenham have eight players out amid a host of injury problems.
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is missing, as are key centre-back duo Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven.
Ben Davies, Wilson Odobert, Mikey Moore and Richarlison are also absent, while Rodrigo Bentancur is still serving a seven-game ban for a racist remark about teammate Son Heung-min.
Destiny Udogie (thigh) and Timo Werner (illness) are available, though.
Possible Spurs XI: Forster; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Solanke.
6. Arne Slot’s words on injuries
