Liverpool have the opportunity to go level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday evening if they can secure victory away to Tottenham Hotspur.
It’s a first meeting of the two teams since the glorious afternoon at Anfield eight months ago when the Reds secured their 20th top-flight title, and to say that plenty has changed since then would be an understatement.
Aspirations of retaining their crown seem a long way off for LFC, but a five-match unbeaten run has at least seen a much-needed improvement in the lead-up to Christmas, and they travel to face a Spurs side who’ve lost half of their home matches in the league this term.
Liverpool will be without Mo Salah (AFCON), Joe Gomez, Cody Gakpo and Wataru Endo (all injured) for this evening’s clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, although there had been increasing hope that Dominik Szoboszlai would be passed fit to take on Thomas Frank’s side.
Liverpool starting XI to face Spurs
Slot makes X changes from the Liverpool side which began the victory against Brighton.
Alisson Becker is between the sticks once again, with the familiar centre-back pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in front of him. There’s one enforced change to the defence as the injured Gomez is replaced by Conor Bradley, who’s available again after suspension.
The midfield is unchanged, with Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister all starting, and Szoboszlai is fit enough to keep his place in the side as well. He’ll likely start on the right flank, with Florian Wirtz on the left, while Hugo Ekitike is the sole centre-forward.
Alexander Isak and Federico Chiesa are available from the substitutes’ bench if needed, while Jeremie Frimpong returns to the matchday squad after a two-month absence through injury.
You can view the Liverpool starting XI and substitutes below, via @LFC on X: