90min
·21 de diciembre de 2024
90min
·21 de diciembre de 2024
Tottenham Hotspur are looking to bring an encouraging week to a joyous end on Sunday afternoon when they host Liverpool in the Premier League.
Spurs kicked things off with a 5-0 demolition of Southampton and followed up their south coast success with a chaotic but important 4-3 victory over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals midweek. Toppling league leaders Liverpool on Sunday would provide the perfect Christmas present for the club's supporters.
Ange Postecoglou is still wrestling with a mountain of injuries in north London, many of which are impacting his defensive selections. If there is one side in the division that will expose a weakened backline, it's Arne Slot's high-flying Liverpool.
Here is how Tottenham could line up this weekend.
Dominic Solanke can punish his former side / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages
GK: Fraser Forster - The veteran, who is filling in for the injured Guglielmo Vicario, had been steady until his midweek capitulation, and Liverpool are likely to press him intensely after two seismic errors in the Carabao Cup.
RB: Pedro Porro - Porro is always an offensive threat for Tottenham and you wouldn't bet against him contributing in the final third on Sunday. However, the likes of Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz could expose his defensive deficiencies.
CB: Radu Dragusin - Despite not always convincing in a Spurs shirt, Dragusin offered a largely solid performance midweek despite conceding three. The Romanian's decision-making will be tested by the intelligent Diogo Jota.
CB: Archie Gray - Gray has been used in a variety of roles this season but he's currently operating at centre-half while Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies recover from injury. Sunday will prove his sternest challenge.
LB: Destiny Udogie - The Italian missed the midweek Carabao Cup triumph due to a minor knock sustained against Southampton. However, Postecoglou has confirmed that Udogie should be available on Sunday.
DM: Pape Matar Sarr - Sarr's performance levels have been mightily impressive this season and the midfielder produced another determined display midweek. He will have to have his defensive brain switched on against Liverpool.
DM: Yves Bissouma - The relationship between Sarr and Bissouma has thrived recently and Postecoglou will be eager for them to dominate the midfield battle against Liverpool with their resilience and physicality.
RW: Dejan Kulusevski - With James Maddison a little too good to omit from the team long-term, Kulusevski has returned to his right wing role in recent outings. He's scored in each of his last four games.
AM: James Maddison - Maddison has forced his way back into contention with a string of excellent displays. He scored twice last weekend at St Mary's Stadium during another eye-catching performance.
LW: Son Heung-min - The South Korean has scored in each of his last five meetings with Liverpool and will look to take advantage of Trent Alexander-Arnold's lapses in concentration. He's unlikely to score directly from a corner like he did midweek, however.
ST: Dominic Solanke - The former Liverpool forward will be desperate to punish his old side having failed to score in eight meetings with the Reds during his Bournemouth days. Confidence will be high following a midweek brace.