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Wayne Rooney doesn't have much hope of Tottenham getting anything from its trip to Anfield this weekend, with Liverpool in need of the points in the Champions League race

Liverpool has been roundly backed to beat Tottenham comfortably this weekend, despite Arne Slot's side struggling for form of late. The Reds lost earlier this week to Galatasaray.

But with the race for the Champions League spots hotting up, this is a chance to make up ground on at least one of Manchester United and Aston Villa, who face each other at Old Trafford immediately before kick off at Anfield.

Tottenham will be without several key men through injury, while Micky van de Ven is suspended. Slot will deliver an update on Alisson Becker during a press conference later this morning.

Roy Keane and Ian Wright predicted a 3-1 win for Liverpool, with the latter claiming it "could get bad" for Spurs at Anfield. Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville, meanwhile, went with a 5-1 home win.

"I think six," Rooney said. With Neville going for 4-1, they split the difference while making the predictions on the Stick To Football podcast, which is sponsored by Sky Bet.

As things stand, Liverpool is three points behind Manchester United and Aston Villa and level with Chelsea. Each of those teams has nine games left to play.

"I think the key for Arne Slot staying on at Liverpool next season is securing Champions League football," Alan Shearer told Betfair last week.

"I think with Liverpool, with what they've spent, their biggest disappointment is not challenging for the league. That ship sailed for them three or four months ago.

"I guess if they don't make the top five, then you would, without doubt, question whether Arne Slot would be in the job.

"A club of that size, how much they've spent after winning the league and not finishing in the top five, yeah, I guess he would be under pressure in terms of his job."

After taking on Tottenham, Liverpool finishes the period before the March international break with the second leg against Galatasaray and then a trip to Brighton.

Liverpool.com says: By the time the Reds kick off, they will know how the other Champions League contenders have got on. Regardless of other results, they simply have to beat Spurs.

Igor Tudor has had a nightmare so far at Tottenham and while Spurs will pick up points at some point, Liverpool cannot afford for it to be at Anfield. It is a chance that it can't miss.

Tottenham Hotspur face the prospect of being without 11 first-team players for their Premier League clash with Liverpool at Anfield after their 5-2 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid

If it was a disappointing evening for Liverpool in the Champions League, then it was an absolute nightmare for Tottenham Hotspur, who are set to visit Anfield this Sunday in the Premier League.

Despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in Turkey in their round of 16 first-leg tie, Liverpool remains favorites to advance to the quarter-finals. However, for Tottenham, their journey in Europe's elite club competition appears all but over following a crushing 5-2 defeat by Atletico Madrid in Spain.

The loss marks Spurs' sixth consecutive defeat across all competitions and, as if that wasn't troubling enough, they now face the daunting prospect of being without 11 key players for their upcoming clash with the Reds.

Tottenham's woes are compounded by an injury crisis, with attackers Wilson Odobert, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Mohammed Kudus already sidelined, along with midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall and defenders Ben Davies and Destiny Udogie.

Adding to their troubles, another defender, Micky van de Ven, will also be absent for the Liverpool match due to suspension, following his dismissal in Tottenham's 3-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace. This leaves Spurs teetering just one point above the Premier League relegation zone, facing the very real threat of relegation for the first time since the English top flight was rebranded in 1992.

Adding to the woes, team captain and centre-back Cristian Romero and midfielder Joao Palhinha are also uncertain for the upcoming match.

The pair suffered head injuries during the defeat to Atletico, leaving new manager Igor Tudor, who has yet to secure a win in his first four games at the helm of Tottenham, unable to confirm their availability due to FA concussion protocols.

He stated: "I don't know. We will see. I don't know. Also, an example of the moment. It is incredible. It is incredible. We finished the game and we see the two players and there is Micky (Van de Ven), who is out with a red card.

"Sometimes it is difficult to explain. It looks like everything is against us. Incredible things."

Another conundrum for Tudor is deciding on the starting goalkeeper for the clash against reigning Premier League champions Liverpool, following his ill-fated decision to bench first-choice Guglielmo Vicario in favour of Antonin Kinsky in the Atletico Madrid match.

Kinsky was pulled off just 17 minutes into the game after letting in four goals, two of which were direct results of his mistakes.

Tudor commented: "In my 15 years coaching, I never do that. It was necessary to preserve the guy, to preserve the team.

"Incredible situation, nothing to comment, you will see. It was, before the game, the right choice to do in the moment like we are.

"Pressure on Vicario, another competition, Toni is a very good goalkeeper. So, it was, for me, the right decision. I explained to Toni, also speaking after, that he is the right guy and a good goalkeeper. Unfortunately, it happened in this big game these mistakes.

"He was sorry. He made an excuse for the team. The team is with him. Me too. I was speaking with him, he understands the moment.

"He understands why he (had to) go out. So, as I said before, he is a very good goalkeeper. We are all together. It is not about one player, so, it has happened."

Tudor's choice to withdraw Kinsky and introduce Vicario attracted widespread condemnation from former shot-stoppers, notably Manchester United icon Peter Schmeichel, who remarked on CBS' Champions League broadcast: "He substitutes him, that is going to have ramifications for the rest of his career. He's absolutely killed his career."

On BBC commentary, ex-Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson labelled Tudor's substitution of Kinsky as "confidence-destroying" and observed: "I have never seen that on a football pitch."

On TNT Sports, another former England number one, Joe Hart, expressed: "My heart is absolutely broken for him (Kinsky). He had a horrible 14 minutes, that slip and the third goal. I don't know what to say. I am just heartbroken for the lad. This Tottenham team is all over the place."

Former Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, currently plying his trade in Serie A with Fiorentina, voiced his support for X, stating: "No-one who hasn't been a goalkeeper can understand how difficult it is to play in this position. Keep your head up and you will go again."

Tottenham fell apart in the first half against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, with Antonin Kinsky drawing comparisons to former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius

Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was substituted after 15 minutes in the Champions League, with immediate comparisons being made to former Liverpool shot-stopper Loris Karius.

Kinsky was brought into the starting XI to replace Guglielmo Vicario but slipped to allow Marcos Llorente to open the scoring. Antoine Griezmann then beat him when Liverpool-linked Micky van de Ven slipped, before the goalkeeper made a calamitous error for Atletico Madrid to go three goals up.

At that point, with Kinsky flailing, Igor Tudor decided enough was enough. He decided to go back to Vicario, bringing the Italian off the bench. Five minutes later, Robin Le Normand made it 4-0.

Karius, of course, suffered a dreadful night in the Champions League final in 2018, a game from which he never really recovered.

And on TNT Sports' coverage of the game in the UK, the commentary team made the immediate comparison between Karius and Kinsky, who will surely struggle to come back from such humiliation at Tottenham.

He looked distraught going down the tunnel once he had been substituted. This was his Champions League debut with the 22-year-old Czech star quickly crumbling on the big stage.

"I've been trying to make sense of it," Joe Hart said. "My heart is absolutely broken for him [Kinsky].

"He had a horrible 14 minutes, that slip and the third goal. I don't know what to say. I am just heartbroken for the lad. This Tottenham team is all over the place."

Some Atletico fans actually gave Kinsky some applause in sympathy as he exited the field.

"I have never seen that on a football pitch. What a huge call from the manager Igor Tudor," Paul Robinson added.

"Yes, the goalkeeper was at fault but that is confidence destroying for Antonín Kinsky. They have got to show some fight.

"Tottenham have got to go for this. Professional and personal pride is at stake here. You can blame anyone else, but you cross that white line as a player and it is up to you to stand up."

Alisson Becker is being linked with a surprise return to Italy, with Juventus said to be looking at the Liverpool goalkeeper and other options from the Premier League

Alisson Becker could be eyed up for a return to Italy in the summer, with the Liverpool goalkeeper the subject of transfer interest from Juventus.

The Brazil international has of course established himself as the Reds’ number one since making the move to Anfield from Roma in 2018, although he may well be approaching the end of his spell on Merseyside.

Alisson’s contract expires at the end of the season, although Liverpool has the option to extend it by a further year. The Reds though already look to be planning ahead, with Georgia international Giorgi Mamardashvili having arrived from Valencia last summer after a deal was agreed the previous year.

Although Liverpool is expected to take up the option on Alisson’s contract, reports in Italy are suggesting he is being targeted for a move to Juventus in the summer.

Gazzetta dello Sport claims that the Turin club is looking to the Premier League for for a new goalkeeper, with current No.1 Michele Di Gregorio coming under pressure for his position after recent mistakes.

Alisson is therefore one of the options said to have been targeted, although Juve is also suggested to be looking at Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario.

AC Milan’s Mike Maignan had also been considered before he signed a new contract at the San Siro. Juventus’ plans could hinge on it qualifying for next season’s Champions League, which it is far from assured of.

Alisson has already addressed his future, having suggested last summer that he expects Liverpool to trigger the option to keep him for a further year, while revealing his plans to return to Brazil and boyhood club Internacional at some point.

"I've never been able to plan long term. Obviously now I have one year left on my contract and another year of club option, which they will probably exercize," Alisson said.

"It's a decisive moment in my career, with a World Cup coming up. I want to be very focused, I don't want anything external to get in the way of that."

Explaining his plans to return home, Alisson added: "I talk to athletes who have made this move to return, some have had good experiences, others not.

"Each one will have their own experience, but I want to return, especially to Inter. I don't know when it will happen, but I still want to do it at a high level. That's what I have planned."

Darwin Nunez could return to the Premier League this summer after being frozen out at Al-Hilal, with Tottenham and Newcastle among clubs interested in the ex-Liverpool striker

Darwin Nunez could be in for a surprising return to the Premier League this summer, just a year after departing Liverpool for Al-Hilal.

The Uruguayan forward made the switch from Anfield to the Saudi Pro League team last August, but his inaugural season with the club has been anything but smooth sailing. With a tally of nine goals and five assists from 24 appearances across all competitions, it would seem at first glance that the 26-year-old has flourished in the Middle East.

However, following the recent arrival of Karim Benzema, Nunez's future at Al-Hilal has been thrown into doubt. Due to a stringent foreign player quota and Benzema's registration, Nunez is now ineligible to play Pro League or Cup soccer for his current team.

This will be a significant setback for the striker, who would have been aiming to stake his claim for a spot in his national team for this summer's World Cup in North America.

According to TEAMtalk, Nunez is now contemplating his future at the club due to his harsh exclusion from the squad, with sources suggesting that several European clubs have expressed interest ahead of the summer transfer window.

Intermediaries have been in talks with a number of English clubs in particular, with Tottenham and Newcastle reportedly showing interest in a potential move for Nunez when the transfer window reopens.

Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid and Juventus are also believed to be long-standing admirers of the player. However, a potential hurdle in acquiring Nunez's services could be his salary in Saudi Arabia. It's unlikely a European team would match it.

That being said, it's also reported that Nunez would be prepared to take a pay cut for the right club ahead of the 2026-27 season. This comes as Newcastle have been lacking in attacking prowess this season, despite splashing out on Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa following Alexander Isak's transfer to Liverpool.

In other news, Spurs find themselves in a relegation scrap, sitting 16th in the Premier League table and just five points above the relegation zone after Sunday's 4-1 defeat in the London Derby.

Liverpool, on the other hand, hasn't been without its own problems in the forward line this season. While Hugo Ekitike has shone in his debut season at Anfield, netting 15 goals and providing four assists across all competitions, Isak's stint has been less successful.

The Swedish forward managed a mere three goals and an assist before he sustained a fractured leg in December, necessitating surgery. Consequently, he now faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines, with a return not expected until April at the earliest.

Isak's injury has somewhat dented Liverpool's aspirations of securing Champions League soccer for the 2026-27 season.

Currently, the Reds are sixth in the Premier League table with 11 matches left to play, sitting on 45 points alongside fourth-placed Chelsea and Manchester United in fifth.

Next up for Arne Slot's players is a home match against West Ham on Saturday, February 28.

Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven supposedly snubbed a transfer move to Liverpool after a conversation his dad had with Ange Postecoglou, where his main priority was made clear

Ange Postecoglou has claimed that Micky van de Ven turned down Liverpool to sign for Tottenham, mainly because he wanted guaranteed game time when leaving Wolfsburg in 2023.

Van de Ven has since been linked with a transfer move to Anfield but had he signed for Jurgen Klopp's side two and a half years ago, he would have been competing with Virgil van Dijk for a place in the starting XI.

"He can be as good as he wants," Postecoglou said. "You watch him at the World Cup, I reckon they will play him left-back and he will be unbelievable once he gets going.

"He is technically good. His ability to cover ground, though, is just phenomenal, mate.

"You would set him up, a lot of teams like to go man for man now. You would set him up against any striker in the world without any fear that he would get outmuscled and definitely not outrun.

"He has got a top mentality too. I remember when we signed him, because I think Liverpool were in for him at the time as well, and I met his dad.

"I mean, I hope I'm not talking out of turn, but he was like Secret Service. I remember him saying to me, he goes, ‘Listen, he has got options, but he is coming here to play, you had better play him’.

"So he has had a really good upbringing and he is not going to get carried away. He works hard on his game, and he is aware."

Van de Ven is said to be stalling on signing a new contract at the moment, with Liverpool among the clubs linked in recent weeks.

"He is top mate," Postecoglou, speaking on The Overlap, which is sponsored by Sky Bet, continued. "He could be as good as anything in terms of what you think about the modern game.

"The physical characteristics are obviously important. He has improved his heading. I still think that is an area where aerially he can get stronger, because he is a big lad there.

"Sometimes his timing is not great, but the rest of his game, very coachable, very coachable."

Andy Robertson's proposed move to Tottenham this month looks to be off, but the Liverpool left-back has been showing his class with his response to the transfer breaking down

Andy Robertson may have to settle for a backup role at Liverpool now that his move to Tottenham looks to be off, but the Reds’ vice captain is still showing plenty of class despite the difficult situation he finds himself in.

Robertson has been linked with a switch to north London this month, with Spurs said to have brought forward their plans to sign him as a free agent in the summer.

It has emerged this week, though, that Liverpool looks set to retain his services until the end of the season, with Arne Slot taking no chances given the injury problems his side is facing in defense.

Robertson has made no secret of his desire to play more games, but with Milos Kerkez now established as the new left-back at Anfield, a move away would seem to be his best hope of gaining a regular starting spot.

Still, the Scotland international seems to be showing his current club plenty of respect. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, although the terms of Robertson’s move to Tottenham have been agreed in principle, the 31-year-old is not in any rush to leave Liverpool.

It’s claimed that Robertson will only give the green light to the move if the Reds can bring in a replacement in time before the January transfer window closes in just less than a week.

Kostas Tsimikas would appear to be the obvious solution in that case, but Liverpool has struggled to get the Greek international back, with no recall clause having been inserted in his loan at Roma.

The Italian side will reportedly only sanction Tsimikas’ exit if they can find another left-back themselves. A bid was rejected by Wolves for David Moller Wolfe earlier this week, and other options are being explored.

Robertson and Liverpool are said to be relaxed about the situation, though, and the veteran defender, who signed for the Reds back in 2017, has been noted for his professionalism after being told that his move to Tottenham is not on as things stand.

It is suggested, though, that should Roma find a left-back, a move to Spurs could be back on, despite Slot indicating that he expects Robertson to stay put.

"Robbo is part of the team tomorrow evening and he's been part of this squad, of this club for so many years,” Slot said on Tuesday ahead of the Champions League clash with Qarabag.

“Happy to have him, good that he's available because that's something that's quite important for us at the moment – to have players available. Yeah, he will be part of the team and nothing happened from my side."

Asked whether Robertson will definitely stay this month, Slot replied: "It's hard to say anything definitive in this world we are in, but I expect him to stay, yes."

Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank has declined to discuss his club's reported interest in signing Liverpool defender Andy Robertson after Spurs were linked with a January move for the Scotland international

Tottenham's head coach, Thomas Frank, remained tight-lipped when questioned about the club's reported transfer discussions for seasoned Liverpool defender Andy Robertson.

Spurs have reached out to the Reds regarding the potential signing of Robertson this month. The initial plan was to secure the left-back in the summer, coinciding with the expiration of the Scotland international's contract at Anfield, but recent developments have prompted a reconsideration of this timeline.

Frank faced questions on this topic for the first time following his team's 2-2 draw against Burnley on Saturday. When asked if the two-time Premier League champion could have bolstered Spurs' defence in a match they were perilously close to losing to the top-flight's 19th-placed side at Turf Moor, the Danish coach deflected.

"Just on that one, in general you don't know me that well, I don't speak about players that are not in the club, except (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi," Frank responded, adding: "So, that's no comment."

Spurs' interest in the Liverpool left-back comes hot on the heels of their announcement of the acquisition of Souza from Santos on Thursday.

The 19-year-old operates in the same position, and Frank hailed him as "one of the brightest left-back talents in the world" in Spurs' announcement.

The London outfit already boasts Destiny Udogie, Djed Spence and Ben Davies as potential choices for the role. Robertson himself is still mulling over his future, having recently disclosed that contract renewal discussions have commenced with Liverpool.

He said: "We'll see what happens. We've had chats now, which will remain private. I've spoken to them, and we'll see what happens.

"Would I like to stay? Yes, but it's a difficult question to ask. I've got five months left, and we need to see the option to stay or if there's options to go and things like that.

"I'll sit down with my family and decide. After a stressful summer, I'm just trying to enjoy being a part of it and being a Liverpool player.

"I wanted to qualify for the World Cup and, thankfully, we've managed to do that. I need to see what myself and my family wants moving forward."

The 31-year-old has frequently been a substitute this season for Liverpool, as head coach Arne Slot has favored Milos Kerkez.

This was once again the case on Saturday, following Spurs' draw at Turf Moor, as Kerkez was selected to start against his former team.

However, Robertson was brought on as an unexpected half-time replacement for the Hungarian, with the Reds trailing 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium.

Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones is attracting interest from Tottenham, with former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp having previously called him an "exceptional talent"

Jurgen Klopp has already expressed his views on Tottenham target Curtis Jones by lavishing praise on the Liverpool midfielder.

With Thomas Frank facing immense pressure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and injuries accumulating with each passing fixture, Spurs looked to the transfer market earlier this month, securing former Chelsea star Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid.

But with Pape Sarr becoming unwell at the Africa Cup of Nations, Rodrigo Bentancur sidelined for an extended period through injury and Joao Palhinha absent from Saturday's 2-1 loss to West Ham, another midfield reinforcement might be required in London. Reports indicate that Jones, who has experienced limited game time under Arne Slot this season, is a player Tottenham has contemplated.

The Englishman enjoys the backing of Klopp, who guided him through Liverpool's academy system.

The Times reports that Spurs are interested in the 24-year-old, who has only begun 10 Premier League fixtures this season, though it remains unclear whether this interest continues following Tottenham's acquisition of Gallagher from Atletico.

Speaking in 2020, Klopp was thoroughly impressed by a young Jones following his exceptional display in a 7-2 Carabao Cup triumph over Lincoln. He had been steadily introducing the midfielder into Liverpool's senior squad.

When asked about Jones, who netted twice in the victory, Klopp was brimming with praise and remarked: "First half really good, start of the second half really good. There is still space for improvement, but everyone knows my opinion of Curtis Jones.

He is an exceptional talent, and we will have some fun with him, I am pretty sure, in the future.

"Both goals were difficult. The second one, the first touch was absolutely exceptional between two opponents, and then he opens up and sees the opportunity and finishes it off."

In subsequent years, Jones would establish himself as a crucial component of Klopp's squad, claiming two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cup medals.

When Klopp departed Liverpool in 2024, a documentary was created about his tenure in charge, and he once more delivered glowing praise for the English midfielder.

"He was never in doubt that he will make it, which I love that so much," said Klopp. "It's so different to my personality. I have no idea how I arrived here, he knows he's absolutely in the right place.

"I always could understand the player. That they hated me if they didn't come on or didn't start, or whatever, because I was no different.

"So when I go and tell him, 'Curtis, you have to pass the ball more often.' And he has to learn that the ball from now on when he passes to whoever, there's a good chance he will do something special, or you'll get it back."

After Manchester United and Chelsea opted to fire their under-pressure head since the turn of the year, while Tottenham and Liverpool have, so far, opted against pulling the trigger

Thomas Frank gave a telling response to questions about the latest round of Premier League managerial dismissals, which will resonate at Liverpool.

Two of the division’s elite sides have sacked their head coaches in the last week, with Manchester United dismissing Ruben Amorim on Monday, while Enzo Maresca was relieved of his duties at Chelsea on New Year’s Day.

Frank has also faced scrutiny this season, especially with Tottenham Hotspur currently 13th in the table and closer in terms of points to 17th place than the top four. He, along with Arne Slot at Liverpool, has survived the intense media spotlight and calls from a certain proportion of fans for them to be sacked.

Frank insisted that Spurs and other clubs would see long-term benefits if they stick with their head coaches, a sentiment that Liverpool can certainly relate with.

“I'll probably repeat my answer from the last press conference [about Maresca]. We don't know what's happened behind the scenes, that's up to you guys, or journalists following Man United closely,” Frank said, when asked about recent events at Old Trafford.

“It can be something with the head coach, something with the ownership, leadership, it can be misalignment, whatever.

“Most likely, the most common reason that a head coach is either stopping or getting sacked. I think it's just another example from my point of view, that it's very difficult to achieve sustainable success if you change key personnel in clubs, like the head coach, like the sports directors.

“I think if you think you have the right ones and you're aligned, you need to do it over a long time.

“So now it's two clubs with one and a half years. Again, I'm not judging it, I'm just saying that's actually the fact.

“In that sense, there could be many reasons for it, I just don't know. In this fantastic, beautiful football world, you win one day and play well, you're in heaven, you lose, and you don't play that well, and you're in hell.

“The best clubs, they are aligned: ownership, leadership, and head coach, over time, and you keep the noise out, and you look at the progress behind it.

“It goes up and down, and hopefully over time, more and more up. Then you achieve something big together.

“The three biggest, latest examples of that, of course, are Liverpool, [Manchester] City, and Arsenal.”