Spurs face a tough challenge as table-topping Liverpool visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a promising Premier League clash. Will Ange Postecoglou’s men deliver a Christmas miracle or fall victim to the Reds’ ruthless form?
Even while writing this, Son‘s sensational corner kick from Thursday night’s 4-3 win over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup is replaying in my head. Yet, deep down, Fraser Forster‘s fumbles from the same game haunt the joy. It’s the story of Spurs‘ season in a nutshell—moments of brilliance overshadowed by self-inflicted errors.
This Sunday, Spurs welcome Arne Slot’s Liverpool, the table toppers. The Reds have yet to lose an away fixture this season, while 10th-placed Spurs desperately need some consistency if they are to move themselves up the table. The most favourable result will see Spurs moving up to 5th, one step closer to European football.
Just a week ago, Spurs were facing Southampton, the league’s bottom-dwellers. Now, they’re up against Liverpool, the table-toppers. It’s been a rollercoaster of a season for Tottenham. Back-to-back wins against Southampton (5-0) and Manchester United (4-3) suggest momentum might be building. However, two losses and a draw in their last five league games show there’s still a long way to go.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are having the time of their lives under Arne Slot. The Dutchman has revitalised the Reds, with only one defeat in 24 games this season which was a loss to Nottingham Forest back in September.
The injury list still remains a concern for Spurs. Ange Postecoglou confirmed that Destiny Udogie is likely to return, while Timo Werner’s availability hinges on recovery from illness. The absentees include Guglielmo Vicario, Ben Davies, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Mikey Moore, Wilson Odobert, and Richarlison. Rodrigo Bentancur will serve the final game of his suspension.
Expect Djed Spence to continue his dream start for Spurs, with two fantastic assists in his first two starts.
Arne Slot rotated his squad in the midweek Carabao Cup win over Southampton, resting key players like Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Alisson Becker. All three are expected to return against Spurs.
Federico Chiesa, Kostas Tsimikas, and Diogo Jota also featured briefly in midweek and should be fully fit. However, Ibrahima Konaté and Conor Bradley remain sidelined due to injuries, while Andy Robertson is back from suspension.
Forster; Spence, Dragusin, Gray, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Maddison, Johnson; Solanke, Son
Liverpool’s relentless high press under Arne Slot is one of their most potent weapons. Their midfield operates with precision, constantly winning turnovers high up the pitch. Liverpool average 8.4 successful high turnovers per game, the second-highest in the league. Spurs must ensure they don’t get caught in dangerous areas, particularly with Fraser Forster’s struggles in distribution.
The Reds’ most glaring threat is, of course, Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian King has 17 goals and 12 assists in 23 matches across all competitions this season. His movement off the ball when combined with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s hybrid role, creates overloads on the right. Spurs must find a way to neutralise this. Destiny Udogie’s fitness will be crucial, as his pace and ability to intercept are vital in dealing with Salah’s runs. Spurs may also deploy Yves Bissouma to shield the left flank and disrupt Liverpool’s rhythm in transition.
In attack, Spurs have shown an ability to exploit high lines. Ange Postecoglou’s reliance on quick vertical transitions has borne fruit, with the team scoring nine counter-attacking goals this season—the most in the league surprisingly. Liverpool’s aggressive press leaves space behind their full-backs, which Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson could exploit. Kulusevski has been Spurs’ creative heartbeat, contributing four goals and creating 36 chances this season. He’ll be key to breaking Liverpool’s defensive structure.
Spurs’ record against Liverpool isn’t very promising—just one win in their last 14 meetings. But if there’s any team capable of derailing Liverpool’s title charge, it’s Spurs. Call it blind optimism or festive cheer, but we’re predicting a narrow home win:
Tottenham 3-2 Liverpool
So, Spurs fans, keep the faith (or maybe just prepare for heartbreak). Either way, Sunday promises fireworks!
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