Tottenham vs Liverpool
Premier League (17) | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
December 20, 5:30 PM (GMT)
After seven days without a match, the Reds head to North London, where they will face a Spurs side struggling to impress under Thomas Frank.
For Liverpool it is a matter of trying to remain unbeaten for six games in all competitions, and picking up preferably three valuable points along the way before Christmas.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.
1. First match without unavailable Mo Salah
After his comeback against Brighton, Mohamed Salah is now on his way to the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt.
Whether the Liverpool legend has played his last game for the Reds remains to be seen, but Slot insisted on the eve of this match that the rift is behind him following his return last weekend.
Nevertheless, we won’t see Salah for a month, with the final taking place on January 18, should Egypt reach it.
It is now up to Liverpool’s attackers to show that there is life without him, with big players Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak having to step up.
2. Spurs unpredictable under Thomas Frank
Spurs and unpredictable have been in the same sentence throughout history, and that has been exactly the case this season.
The hope was that Frank would make them a better organized team, but they are 11th in the Premier League and were beaten 3-0 at Nottingham Forest last Sunday.
There have been key losses to rivals, including a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal, and pressure is mounting on the manager.
For now, Frank’s job is reportedly not on the line, but that could change if Liverpool send them packing.
3. Liverpool team news
In addition to Salah, Liverpool is struggling with many injury problems, despite a week without a match.
Joe Gomez is out after limping to a 2-0 defeat to Brighton at home last weekend, but there is positive news on Cody Gakpo, whose scan ‘looked promising’, but he remains unavailable this weekend.
Jeremy Frimpong is back in the squad, while Dominik Szoboszlai must prove his fitness in Friday’s training to be eligible to start after taking a blow to his ankle.
Giovanni Leoni and Wataru Endo are still missing, as are Stefan Bajcetic and Jayden Danns.
4. Predicted Liverpool XI vs. Tottenham
After a midweek break, Slot will not have to rotate, so the starting line-up should be similar to that of Brighton.
Conor Bradley is back after a one-match suspension, so he will replace the absent Gomez at right-back, while Milos Kerkez and Andy Robertson will battle for starts at left-back.
Isak remains off the pace and is likely to be on the bench, especially with Hugo Ekitike scoring four goals in his last two Premier League appearances.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, MacAllister Wirtz; Ekiti
5. How might Spurs line up?
As mentioned, Spurs suffered a poor loss at Forest, so it will be interesting to see if Frank makes any changes.
Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven form a strong central defender who is likely to start and give Ekitike a tough test.
Mohammed Kudus is arguably Spurs’ best player this season and will be a threat, as will Dutch international Xavi Simons.
Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Pape Matar Sarr, Destiny Udogie, Radu Dragusin and former Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke are all out for the hosts.
Meanwhile, Yves Bissouma is suspended for off-field issues and also has an ankle injury.
Potential Spurs XI vs. Liverpool: deputy; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Bentancur; Kudus, Simons, Muani; Richarlison
6. Slot insists that Salah is behind them
During Friday’s pre-match press conference, Slot confirmed that he will not create a distraction by discussing Salah during AFCON as he believes it is best for all parties:
“I already said last week: actions speak louder than words. We moved on, he was in the team and he was the first substitution I made.”
“Now in the AFCON he is playing big games for himself and also for his country, so I think it is fair to them that all the focus is on him there.
“But certainly for us too, because we’re going to play some very important games. There shouldn’t be any distraction when I say something about his time here at Liverpool, because as I said, we moved on from the Leeds interview and he played against Brighton.”
“Now that he is there, it is fair for the country and for him and also for us to talk about Tottenham and other games and that they can fully concentrate on their tournament.”
7. Liverpool’s record at Spurs’ new stadium
This is Liverpool’s eighth visit to the impressive Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – their seventh in the league – where they have experienced mixed fortunes.
Their first meeting there was decided by a Roberto Firmino goal in January 2020, in the title-winning season under Jurgen Klopp, winning 3-1 a year later.
A draw (2-2) and a win (2-1) then followed against Liverpool, but due to Joel Matip’s final own goal, the nine-man Reds lost heartbreakingly 2-1 in September 2023.
Last season, Slot’s champions defeated Spurs 6-3 before losing 1-0 in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. We do know one thing: you can guarantee goals!
8. Did you know?
Ekitike is arguably Liverpool’s most in-form player and has been their most successful summer signing so far.
The Frenchman has scored seven goals in his first 10 Premier League starts, which is the same as Salah’s first 10 goals after joining from Roma in 2017.
Only Daniel Sturridge (eight) has more for Liverpool in that period, summing up Ekitike’s impact.
Erling Haaland (17) and Igor Thiago (11) are also the only players with more Premier League goals than him this season.
9. John Brooks takes the lead in North London
John Brooks will referee Saturday’s match, in his first Liverpool match since last season’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle.
In fact, he has not taken charge of a single Premier League match involving the Reds since the 2-1 win at home to Chelsea in October 2024.
Brooks’ assistants on Saturday evening are Simon Bennett and James Mainwaring, with Anthony Taylor as fourth official.
Stuart Attwell is in the VAR booth, assisted by Adam Nunn.
10. Follow the match with TIA
Tottenham vs. Liverpool will be live on Sky Sports Main Event from 5pm (GMT), with kick-off at 5.30pm.
This is AnfieldFrom 4:45 PM the live blog of the match day will be in full festive mood Harry McMullen keep you company.
Come on, Reds!
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