Liverpool.com

Arne Slot’s biggest selection decisions could come at full-back this weekend when Liverpool takes on Tottenham Hotspur in a potentially title-deciding clash.

The Reds head coach tried to play down the significance of Sunday’s game against Spurs, insisting he was treating it like every other match and was focusing on simply taking three points. Liverpool fans will settle for one, however, which would see it crowned Premier League champions.

Slot also didn’t give any new injury updates in Friday’s press conference, coming just two days after the whole squad trained. Joe Gomez is the only player ruled out and it means Slot has an almost full squad to choose from.

Despite the league being all but wrapped up for several weeks, the Liverpool boss has stuck mainly with the team that helped establish such a huge lead in the early weeks of the season. “There’s a lot of research done about the longer the team plays together, the better they start to play, or the more often they play together, the better they play as well,” Slot said ahead of the Spurs game. “That’s why I am not a big fan of rotating the team every game by five, six, seven positions.

The only changes in recent weeks have come in the wide defensive areas, with Trent Alexander-Arnold injured and Andy Robertson dropping out of the side. The latter has been replaced by Kostas Tsimikas and didn’t even come off the bench in last week’s win over Leicester City. But whether Slot is tempted to restore the experienced defender for such a high-profile encounter is a different matter.

As for Alexander-Arnold, he grabbed the winning goal after coming off the bench at the King Power Stadium and could return to the starting XI, but Conor Bradley looks a more likely option at right-back. Slot even discussed whether the Northern Ireland international is ready to play 90 minutes yet after his own injury issues, while Jamie Carragher has called for Bradley to be given a run in the side over the coming weeks to see if he is ready to step up as the team’s first choice in that position.

At center-back, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk will almost certainly play ahead of Alisson in between the sticks.

In midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai was vastly improved last week as he returned to the side ahead of Curtis Jones. Slot will be faced with the same dilemma on Sunday, but should stick with the Hungarian. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister have been among Liverpool’s most regular starters this season and will begin the match at the base of midfield, barring any last-minute injury.

But there could be a change up front with Cody Gakpo again looking ineffective at Leicester. He was replaced by Diogo Jota - and a repeat of that from the off on Sunday seems a real possibility.

Luis Diaz has been the team’s best player since the March international break, while Mohamed Salah’s record of starting every league game this season is unlikely to end against Spurs. He’s still chasing down personal goals and assists records in the final weeks of the campaign.

Whether Slot includes Nunez in the squad will be intriguing following his alleged social media outburst on Saturday. Slot also denied reports that he has not been selecting the no.9 in the team as Liverpool will owe Benfica compensation if Nunez starts another game this season, as was reported in Portugal earlier this week.

Ange Postecoglou confirmed Tottenham will remain without Son Heung-min for Sunday's Premier League meeting with Liverpool at Anfield.

Liverpool will secure the title if it avoids defeat on Sunday — although the trophy lift will have to wait until after the final game of the season against Crystal Palace.

Spurs captain Son has missed each of his side's last three games and is still rehabilitating from a foot problem. Issuing an update on the state of his squad to club media, manager Postecoglou said: “Squad-wise, no change from the other day. All the guys got through it [the Nottingham Forest game] okay. In terms of rehab, the only one is Sonny who is still going through that process, improving but not ready for Sunday.

“We'll see [if he's available to face Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday]. He's improving. First time he's got out on the grass today and he said it's better than what it was. It's a day-by-day situation."

Quizzed on if his captain needed treatment or rest, Postecoglou responded: “Bit of both. It was obviously the foot element, because it's weight-bearing we needed to give some rest, some time off it and give him some treatment. The main thing was to get him off his feet to give him time to get back.”

Postecoglou hinted he will tinker with his team for the trip to Anfield considering the magnitude of next week's Europa League game in North London.

“With the programme we have coming up, Thursday obviously is a big night for us, so it will be a matter of playing a few [against Liverpool] that need the game time and others we feel may need less exposure, we’ll have a look at it.”

Spurs have struggled with injuries for much of the season but they actually have a relatively clean bill of health at the moment, with Radu Dragusin the only absentee other than Son. Romanian defender Dragusin will be out for some time after undergoing surgery on an ACL injury in February.

Postecoglou was full of praise for Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, with the Dutchman now just a point away from winning the Premier League during his first season in charge of the Reds.

"He is an outstanding manager and he picked up an outstanding team," Postecoglou said. "They have been brilliant in the league this year. They have been really consistent, maintained a really high level. They have had the best players playing all the time and playing at a really high level. That is a credit to Arne, his coaching staff and the players themselves. They have been close in the last few years and the fact they are on the cusp of potentially winning another title is a credit to everyone involved."

Liverpool will win the Premier League title this weekend unless Spurs can win at Anfield for the first time since 2011. And Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has insisted that he is no longer a fan of the team he is aiming to stop.

"I'm an almost-60-year-old adult. I've gone past my boyhood crushes," he said during his pre-match press conference. "It's got no impact whatsoever. I have great admiration for the football club, and yes, I supported them when I was younger, but that was 50-odd years ago, and I have well and truly moved on since then."

In truth, while Liverpool will be keen to wrap up the league title on its own terms, Tottenham has other priorities. Next Thursday, it will play the first leg of its Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt — the one tournament that could save Spurs' season.

Languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table above only the bottom three clubs and West Ham, Tottenham has already lost 18 times in 2024-25. Postecoglou could be fired even if he brings home a European trophy.

But the Australian has been impressed with how Liverpool has performed. The Reds have already beaten Spurs twice this season, including knocking them out of the Carabao Cup at the semi-final stage.

"I wouldn't have discounted the possibility [of Liverpool winning the league this year]," Postecoglou said. "[Arne Slot] is an outstanding manager, and he picked up an outstanding team. They've been brilliant in the league this year; really consistent and at a really high level.

"They've had their best players playing all the time and at a really high level, and that's a credit to Arne, his coaching group, and the players themselves. They've been close in the last few years, and the fact that they are on the cusp of winning another title is a credit to everyone involved."

Slot could have been Tottenham boss in another universe. He was approached by Daniel Levy before moving to Liverpool, rejecting the opportunity and remaining with Feyenoord for another season. Postecoglou started quite well with Spurs but things have unraveled somewhat since.

Liverpool can secure the Premier League title this weekend, and with Tottenham the visitor to Anfield, not many soccer fans are anticipating the title race extending beyond Sunday.

Sixteenth-placed Tottenham has won just one of its last seven top-flight games and is also winless away to Liverpool since 2011. Gary Neville has already tipped the game to be 'barbaric' while Paul Merson said that Liverpool couldn't have picked a better team to be playing against than Spurs.

Premier League-winning former striker Chris Sutton has added his prediction to the pile — and he also thinks Ange Postecoglou and his players are in for a rough afternoon on Merseyside.

"Liverpool only need a point to make sure of the title, and it is going to happen against Tottenham on Sunday," Sutton said as he tipped a 4-1 Liverpool victory in his BBC predictions. "There is an argument that Spurs, and Manchester United too, should go strong in these Premier League games to try to find the rhythm they have been lacking all season, and get the team playing the way we know they can to help them in their Europa League semi-finals.

"But I don't see Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou doing that before his side play Bodo/Glimt on Thursday, and I can only see one outcome. Liverpool have hardly been that sharp of late but they will be determined to win the title in front of their own fans for the first time in 35 years.

"They were not able to do that when they last won the title in 2020 because of the Covid regulations at the time, so doing it now is a big deal for them. I am expecting them to raise their game and blow Spurs away to get the job done."

Sutton was joined in making predictions by golfer Lee Westwood, who also predicted the Reds to record a win by a three-goal margin.

"Liverpool would like to win it there (at Anfield), wouldn't they?" Westwood said as he backed a 3-0 Liverpool success. "Tottenham might rest people, and Forest have just beaten them. They haven't got much incentive to do anything to stop Liverpool."

Ange Postecoglou has confirmed Heung-min Son will not be back in time for Tottenham Hotspur ’s trip to Liverpool on Sunday.

Spurs head to Anfield on a dire run of form and have lost four of the last five in the Premier League. Tottenham hasn’t beaten a side outside of the relegation zone since mid-February and it feels incredibly unlikely the London club will stop Liverpool being crowned Premier League champions at Anfield. Arne Slot ’s men need just a point to secure top spot.

Injuries have often been used to explain the team’s poor form this season - it was certainly a huge talking point before the Carabao Cup semi-final meetings in the winter - but Spurs only have two current injuries. Radu Dragusin won’t feature again this season due to an ACL injury, and Son is the only other absentee.

The South Korean, who has managed just seven league goals this season, has missed the last three games due to a knock and Postecoglou confirmed on Friday that run will stretch to four matches.

“Sonny is improving which is a positive for us, not for Sunday,” said the under-fire Australian. “Everyone else from the last game is fine. We'll see [if Son will be ready for Thursday]. First time on the grass today and he said it felt better.

Asked if Son needs rest or treatment, Postecoglou replied: “A bit of both. The foot element because it is weight bearing you just need to give him some rest and some time off it and give him some treatment. The main thing is to get him off his feet for a week and allow it to settle so he can start the process of getting back.

“Squad wise, there's no change,” the Spurs boss added on the squad’s fitness. “All the guys got through [Monday’s game] okay. In terms of rehab, Sonny's the only one who is going through that process, improving, but not ready for Sunday.”

Sitting 16th in the table and with little to play for in the league, Spurs’ season may rest on the Europa League and whether they can win the trophy and secure a spot in the Champions League next season.

“Again, with the programme we have coming up, Thursday obviously is a big night for us, so it will be a matter of playing a few that need the game time and others we feel may need less exposure, we'll have a look at that,” said Postecoglou.

As Tottenham prepares to face Liverpool on Sunday, all eyes will be on the team selection of manager Ange Postecoglou. After a recent Premier League defeat to Nottingham Forest, Spurs have their sights set on bigger prizes, with the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt looming.

The teams are set to clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday, May 1, before heading to Norway for the return leg the following week. While their Premier League campaign has been less than stellar, Spurs has the opportunity to end the season on a high by clinching victory in UEFA's secondary club competition.

While Liverpool can claim the title with a point, Postecoglou may choose to shuffle his pack at Anfield to ensure his key players are ready and raring to go against Bodo/Glimt.

Despite being absent from the Spurs squad that faced Nottingham Forest earlier this week, Destiny Udogie is likely to make a return to the matchday 20 this Sunday. The Italian could certainly benefit from some game time ahead of next week's Europa League tie against Bodo/Glimt, and it's possible he'll be drafted straight back into the starting XI in place of Djed Spence.

Pedro Porro could do with a breather after clocking up 3,712 minutes for Tottenham this season. It might be wise to rest the Spaniard against Liverpool, potentially paving the way for Archie Gray to step in at right back.

Micky van de Ven's stint was cut short to just 45 minutes in the Nottingham Forest defeat due to a pre-planned substitution. Whether Postecoglou will start him against Liverpool or keep him on the bench is yet to be seen, but Ben Davies could be the one to benefit from this situation.

The Dutchman's importance to the Tottenham team cannot be overstated and the manager has a tough decision to make regarding his role. What's certain is that he needs some game time ahead of the Bodo/Glimt clash.

Cristian Romero's participation in the Liverpool match is also uncertain as he was another pre-planned change in the last game. Kevin Danso, who recently returned from a hamstring injury, could certainly use a start.

Lucas Bergvall has been benched for Tottenham's last two Premier League matches and will be keen to avoid a third consecutive league game out of the starting lineup. The Swede made a significant impact in the teams' first encounter this year, scoring the only goal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

A repeat of that performance would be just the ticket this weekend. However, the return of Bergvall could spell trouble for Pape Matar Sarr if the gaffer decides to shake things up in the middle of the park.

It wouldn't come as a shock if Rodrigo Bentancur is rested on Sunday to ensure he's fighting fit for Tottenham's Europa League comeback. The Uruguayan is a linchpin in Postecoglou's strategy and the manager might think it best not to overwork him with another full match.

Yves Bissouma hasn't seen much action recently but there could be a chance for him to make his first appearance since the Wolves loss. The former Brighton player may not be in Postecoglou's top team anymore but he still needs to keep him match-ready in case Bentancur or another midfielder is sidelined during the final stretch.

James Maddison managed to secure a spot on the bench on Monday night but didn't get a look-in after taking a heavy knock in the victory at Eintracht Frankfurt eight days prior. He's another player who could do with some game time after missing out at the start of the week and that could mean he gets the nod.

The question might be whether he replaces Dejan Kulusevski in midfield or Wilson Odobert steps aside and the Swede shifts into a more attacking role.

Dominic Solanke might be back in the starting lineup this weekend, following a rare stint on the bench. The decision could hinge on whether Postecoglou wants to give Richarlison more game time or keep him as a substitute at Anfield.

Richarlison's ability to play from the left flank could pave the way for Solanke to take the lead upfront, potentially leaving Mathys Tel out of the equation.

Brennan Johnson is another name to watch in Tottenham's attacking trio. The Welsh international impressed Postecoglou with his performance against Eintracht Frankfurt, contributing to Spurs' victory in Germany. Either Odobert or Tel might have to make way if Johnson gets the nod to start.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has said he will prepare his team as normal ahead of possibly securing the Premier League title.

The Reds need just a point on Sunday against Tottenham Hotspur to be crowned Premier League champions, and anticipation is obviously heightened ahead of what could be a monumental weekend.

Arsenal's midweek slip-up against Crystal Palace - its sixth in nine league matches - means the Gunners can now only match Liverpool's current points tally of 79. It means just a point from the final five matches is required to earn a 20th top-flight title.

But Slot was keen to downplay the significance of Sunday's game when speaking in his pre-match press conference: "That’s a big responsibility because we are aware of the fact that the last time this club won the league was in Covid times.

"So everybody is looking forward Sunday but we know there's a still a job to be done and that's at least one point. That’s what we know and what hopefully the fans know when they come the stadium, that they support us in the best possible way they can as they have done all season, and are aware of the fact we still need a point.

"That's something we are definitely aware of inside this building, so it's a nice game to look forward to but it's also a responsibility we have for Sunday.

Asked if he was ready for the possible emotion of Sunday: "First there’s a game to be played against a Tottenham side that is playing for something special - maybe not in the league, but in the Europa League. They want to go to Bodo/Glimt in the best possible way.

"We are only focused, as I've said so many times on the next opponent and that is Tottenham. We will try to prepare the team in the same way as we have all season. Hopefully, the players can bring the same mentality as they have throughout the whole season."

It's a matter of when, not if, Liverpool claims the title and Slot becomes the 12th manager to win the Premier League. He will also be the first Dutchman to receive that accolade, but he claims that thought hasn't yet entered his head.

"The only thing I think about is that hopefully all the players are available and prepare them. I know how hard it was to win against a team that was close to relegation," he said in reference to last week's win over Leicester City.

"It was hard to get the win over the line. I am not getting carried away at all. We've faced Tottenham already three times, I know how hard it is to beat them for us. That is where my main focus is on."

Gary Neville is backing Liverpool to secure Premier League glory by thrashing Tottenham at Anfield this weekend.

Arsenal's draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday leaves the Reds requiring a single point from their final five games of the season to wrap up a second title in six years, and Spurs are next on the fixture list.

Ange Postecoglou's men are enduring a torrid season and go into the meeting in 16th place in the standings having collected just 37 points from 33 games. Tottenham has won just one of its last seven matches, losing five of them, and it is likely that boss Postecoglou will be relieved of his duties at the end of the season.

Despite its struggles in the Premier League, Tottenham remains in contention to win the Europa League, and Postecoglou's team selection at Anfield could be influenced by Spurs' semi-final first-leg meeting with Bodo/Glimt, which will take place four days on from the game on Merseyside.

Neville tipped Liverpool to make light work of Spurs, predicting a "procession". "It will be barbaric,” Neville said on Sky Sports. “I think it will be 4-1. Liverpool will score four. It will be one of those celebratory [afternoons].” Roy Keane, meanwhile, tipped Liverpool to win 2-0.

Liverpool legend Jan Molby previewed the game on his official podcast, and while he tipped his old side to record the win that is required to clinch the title, he does not think Slot's men will have it all their own way against Tottenham.

“They’ve got plenty of players who can hurt you,” Molby said, name-checking Brennan Johnson, James Maddison, and Son Heung-min as danger men for the visiting team. “If you’re at it from the first minute, you win four or five. But if you offer a little bit, allow them to play at their tempo, it’s going to be tricky. We’ve seen the spotty, cocky football they can play. It’s been a long time, but I think he [Postecoglou] believes it’s in there somewhere."

Molby thinks Postecoglou will field a strong side in order to get his players up to speed ahead of the following week's game against Bodo/Glimt. “He (Postecoglou) made five changes from the last Europa League game for Forest," Molby said. "I think he’ll make changes again on Sunday. It’s all very good having them back, but they need to play. So I can actually see him going strong for an hour. I think we’re going to win. I actually think it could be quite a bit of a game — I’m going Liverpool three, Spurs two.”

Liverpool knows it needs just one more point to win the 2024/25 Premier League title, after Arsenal dropped yet more points on Wednesday. It means that as long as the Reds avoid defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, they will guarantee a first-place finish.

It could have been wrapped up on Wednesday night had Crystal Palace managed to earn a victory at the Emirates. Instead, a 2-2 draw against Arsenal continues the Gunners' disappointing end to the Premier League season.

Twice Mikel Arteta's side led and twice it was pegged back. Jakub Kiwior gave Arsenal the lead within three minutes when he headed in from yet another set-piece goal. But from there the hosts took their foot off the gas and allowed Palace back into the game via a sublime Eberechi Eze volley.

Leandro Trossard did restore Arsenal's advantage minutes before the half-time pause, when he fired beyond Dean Henderson. It could have been 3-1 when Gabriel Martinelli tapped in from a Jurrien Timber cross, only for it to be disallowed by VAR as the ball had gone out of play in the build-up.

Then came the late Palace surge. Jean-Philippe Mateta chipped David Raya from distance following a sloppy William Saliba pass. But the Arsenal defender ensured the title race will stretch into the weekend when he blocked a Ismaila Sarr that seemed destined to end up in the home goal.

The draw means Arsenal has slipped up in six of its last nine Premier League games and trails Liverpool by 12 points with four match remaining. The London club can now only equal Liverpool's points tally and win the title on goal difference.

That won't happen, of course, with Arne Slot's side needing just a point from the final five matches to wrap up the title. The squad had gathered on Wednesday night to watch proceedings in North London, and may secretly be pleased that they can win the title for themselves at Anfield, in front of a crowd that hasn't collectively celebrated a Liverpool title in 35 years.

It should be a special day on Merseyside, especially against a weak Tottenham side whose focus is away from the Premier League. Liverpool hasn't lost at home in the league since September - if that runs continues into Monday, then the Reds will have earned a record-equalling 20th top-flight crown.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has issued a stark warning to Liverpool ahead of their Sunday clash at Anfield, insisting that his team are coming with one goal in mind: victory. Should Arsenal manage to stand firm against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, all eyes will be on Liverpool who could clinch the Premier League title with a triumph over Spurs.

Tottenham faces its worst Premier League finish in nearly half a century but the focus is largely fixed on European commitments, specifically a Europa League semi-final showdown with Bodo/Glimt.

With the first leg set for next Thursday, Postecoglou has been juggling an injury-riddled squad throughout the season and fielded a heavily rotated line-up in the recent defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest.

This loss sees Tottenham slumped at 16th place on the table, a staggering 42 points behind table-topper Liverpool, who is poised for the added boost of securing the league crown with a win this Sunday.

Yet, in spite of the contrasting fortunes of both teams, Postecoglou remains confident that Spurs can disrupt Liverpool's title ambitions. He's maintained firm belief in his side's capabilities, asserting that a performance mirroring their effort against Forest could see them topple the league frontrunners.

"It's a bit of a balancing act and we have to be smart about what we do," he affirmed. "We have to be ready for Thursday in a week, with our players healthy. Good test against Liverpool obviously.

"If we play like we did (against Forest) but keep our concentration level where we should be then we can give them a game. I don't think you saw a team that wasn't motivated. It's not like we lost because players chucked it in.

"If that's what people saw then they're watching something different to me. I don't think they lacked motivation today because I thought our football was outstanding. But again we've paid the price for lacking focus and concentration in key moments."

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk knows all too well that victory on Sunday isn't a given. He's called on his fellow Reds to maintain their concentration and avoid complacency when facing Spurs.

"It's a great feeling to be in this position, something we don't take for granted," Van Dijk reflected following Liverpool's win over Leicester. "It's been, in my opinion, an outstanding season. A lot of good moments. A lot of good moments actually, a lot of wins and good performances.

"Now we have the chance to finish it off on the weekend against a very good Tottenham Hotspur, in my opinion. We played three times already against them this season and every game was very intense.

"We've got a week to prepare. If anything happens on Wednesday then happy days, if not then we have to finish it off and we have to be at our best to do that. That'll be our main focus.

"To be in this position now, it's a good position but we're not there yet. We all have to realise that and we will. We'll make sure of that. It's a good week of preparation and then we have to be ready."