Evening Standard

Spurs today face a difficult trip to meet former manager Nuno Espirito Santo and his high-flying Forest side on a bumper day of Premier League action. Ange Postecoglou’s side were beaten 6-3 by Liverpool before Christmas as more questions about the brand of football emerged, with three defeats in four games leaving them 11th in the table.

Forest, meanwhile, have been one of the surprise packages of the season. On course of a top four finish as things stand, they have soared under Nuno – who lasted only a few months in the Spurs dugout.

Another defeat for Spurs would only increase the pressure on Postecoglou. While his side remain capable of beating any team in the League on their day, it’s difficult to know what you’re going to get from them and that does not feel sustainable. Follow all the action LIVE with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!

Tottenham will today have both Rodrigo Bentancur and Destiny Udogie available against for their Boxing Day trip to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Bentancur returns following the completion of his seven-match domestic suspension. He was handed the punishment back in November for using a racial slur about team-mate Heung-min Son on television and saw an appeal against the ban rejected by the Football Association (FA). He has remained available for Spurs in Europe.

Udogie, meanwhile, was expected to come back into the team for Sunday’s 6-3 defeat by Liverpool but was an unused substitute instead after missing out on the midweek 4-3 Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Manchester United with a quad issue that forced him off early at Southampton. He is now available to start.

“From the [Liverpool] game, as far as I’m aware no issues,” Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said at his pre-Forest press conference on Christmas Eve. “Destiny was on the bench [against Liverpool], wasn’t 100 per cent but should be right for the game [against Nottingham Forest].

It is possible that Ben Davies could be fit for the match as he approaches the end of his recovery from a hamstring injury, but the Welsh defender is more likely to miss out again due to a lack of training time leading up to the game.

Fraser Forster looks set to remain in goal after his Carabao Cup nightmare with No1 Guglielmo Vicario still out, while no Cristian Romero or Micky van de Ven still means that teenage midfielder Archie Gray should continue alongside Radu Dragusin in a makeshift centre-back partnership. Attackers Wilson Odobert and Richarlison are also still sidelined for Tottenham.

Tottenham today take on Nottingham Forest in desperate need of a win after another humbling loss in the Premier League.

A 6-3 reverse to table-topping Liverpool left manager Ange Postecoglou facing yet more questions over his attacking tactics, especially in light of a crippling injury crisis in defence. It’s now three defeats in four to leave Spurs in 11th place.

For Forest, under the guidance of former Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo are flying high in fourth, having beaten Manchester United, Aston Villa and Brentford in back-to-back games. Confidence has scarcely been higher at the City Ground and Spurs should not be feared.

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Nottingham Forest are in fine shape, having welcomed Ryan Yates and Murillo back after injury scares. Danilo (ankle) and Ibrahim Sangare (hamstring) remain out.

Destiny Udogie (fatigue) should be fit to start for Tottenham after making the bench against Liverpool. Timo Werner (illness) returned as a late substitute.

Spurs remain without seven other first-team players with Guglielmo Vicario, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero all sidelined. Rodrigo Bentancur is available again after suspension.

Forest are brimming with confidence and Spurs should hold little fear for them, but this could really go either way.

As ever with Spurs, the defence will play a key role, and if they give Chris Wood an inch, he will punish them. Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray will have their hands full, and hope those further up the pitch do their job.

Spurs have focused on signing youth for Ange Postecoglou's first team since the end of last season but also have a number of talented youngsters coming through the academy ranks.

The goalkeeper is already responsible for one of the moments of the season after scoring a 99th-minute equaliser for loan club Leyton Orient in the FA Cup second round against Oldham, a match which the O's went on to win 2-1 after extra time.

Keeley's greater impact for Orient has, though, been in the other box. Since breaking into the first team in mid-October, he has kept seven clean sheets in 10 League One matches, helping to stabilise the London club after a shaky start to the season.

At 21, he is still a baby in goalkeeper years but the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international looks to have a bright future ahead of him, and could be a future Spurs No1.

Mikey Moore's great mate Olusesi, 17, is yet to make his senior debut but has been a regular on the bench during Spurs' recent injury crisis, gaining valuable experience of the first-team environment.

Part of Tottenham's U17 and U18 Premier League Cup double-winning teams of two years ago, Olusesi is a rangy attacking midfielder with an eye for goal, who has built a reputation for excellence in youth circles.

His next step is probably a loan to gain more experience of senior football but he will hope to follow Moore into Postecoglou's first team before very long.

Hardy may be young but he already looks like a player capable of holding his own in men's football. The teenager, who has captained England at youth level, needs time (and likely some loan spells) before he is ready for Spurs but he already has the makings of a commanding defender, winning plaudits at youth level for his maturity and calmness in and out of possession.

Spurs still weeks away from defensive support

Alex Young @ alexwsyoung1 hour ago

Tottenham’s injury woes are not easing as they head into Christmas off the back of a thumping 6-3 home loss to Liverpool.

Again without first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, and first-choice centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, and with first-choice left-back Destiny Udogie on the bench, it was another tough afternoon for those deputising on the field.

It appears Ange Postecoglou’s lengthy absentee list will not shorter before the end of 2024.

Here are all the latest Tottenham injury news and return dates...

Micky van de Ven

Van de Ven was a shock starter against Chelsea, lasting 79 minutes upon his return from a hamstring injury before being replaced by Archie Gray, having required treatment to the back of his leg.

Postecoglou said after the game that Van de Ven's withdrawal was "nothing serious", adding: "The plan was always for Micky to play 60, 70 [minutes] today, so we were always going take him off.

“He didn't feel anything significant. He just felt tightness, but we were always going to take him off anyway.”

However, the centre-back is not expected back before January. Postecoglou said last week: “Van de Ven and Romero are still chugging along. I think both will be in the new year.

"Not as significant injury as last time with Micky, but obviously having a setback, the medical team is going to make sure he is right to go. So both of them in the new year at some point."

Potential return date: Unknown

Cristian Romero

Romero lasted less than 15 minutes against Chelsea, with Spurs 2-0 up, before being forced off and replaced by Radu Dragusin. Romero left the pitch with his shirt over his face and subsequently missed the draw at Rangers and win at Southampton.

“He felt something in his quad,” Postecoglou said after the loss to Chelsea: “He trained really well. He wasn't the one I was worried about, to be honest, but it's just the way the season's going for us unfortunately. So we just have to wait and see.”

He is also not due back until January at the earliest.

Potential return date: Unknown

Cristian Romero has suffered another injury

Getty Images

Ben Davies

In a rare bit of positive injury news, Davies should be back sooner than expected.

The left-back was forced off against Bournemouth with a hamstring injury which looked to sideline him until January, but Postecoglou hopes to have the experienced left-back available sooner.

He said early in December: “It’s not as bad as we thought. There is a chance he’ll be back, hopefully, before the new year. So, that was positive.

“Again, initially, we were a bit worried but you need to give it a week to settle down. The latest information I got this morning that it’s nowhere near as bad as we thought it was and hopefully a quicker turnaround.”

Potential return date: Saturday, January 4, 2025, vs Newcastle

Guglielmo Vicario

Tottenham have been without their first-choice goalkeeper for a number of weeks, and will continue to be so for a little to come.

Vicario underwent surgery on a fractured right ankle last month having played with the issue for an hour in a win over Manchester City, making his performance all the more impressive.

Asked for an update last week, Postecoglou said: “It’s going well. Typical Vic. He’s pushing every boundary.

“He’s still a fair bit away, but whatever timeline it is he’ll make sure he’s back as soon as possible. He’s still very much around the group. You saw him last night. He’s at training every day. He’s one of the leaders, and he’s progressing well.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Tottenham will be without their No1 for an extended spell

AFP via Getty Images

Mikey Moore

Mikey Moore’s last appearance came at the end of October in the Carabao Cup against Manchester City.

The teenager has been out since then with illness and Postecoglou confirmed last week that the youngster will not be ready to return into the new year.

“No, no. he hasn’t been involved [in training],” he said. “We’ll need to get at least a couple of weeks’ training into Mikey and get him back up to speed.

“Hopefully not too far away.”

Potential return date: January 2025

Richarlison

A frustrating time of things on the injury front continued for Richarlison after he suffered a hamstring injury during the win over Aston Villa last month.

The Brazilian is not expected back until the New Year.

“Hopefully, he'll be back in the New Year but, again, similar to Micky [Van de Ven], we've got to be careful every step of the way,” confirmed Postecoglou.

Potential return date: January 2025

Richarlison again finds himself on the sidelines with injury

Getty Images

Wilson Odobert

Summer signing Wilson Odobert is facing an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering a “serious” setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

A club statement released on November 16 said: “We can confirm that Wilson Odobert underwent surgery to his right hamstring yesterday

"The 19-year-old will continue to be closely monitored by our medical team to determine when he can return to training."

Potential return date: Unknown

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Sport | Football

Tottenham XI vs Liverpool: Starting lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest for Premier League

Ange Postecoglou facing defensive selection decision for visit of the leaders

Dom Smith1 minute ago

Tottenham are set to be boosted by the return to Destiny Udogie for their Premier League showdown with Liverpool.

Udogie missed Thursday’s dramatic 4-3 Carabao Cup win over Manchester United after coming off in last weekend’s 5-0 win against Southampton.

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But Ange Postecoglou hopes the left-back will be available to face leaders Liverpool.

Udogie’s return would give Postecoglou a decision over who to play as his full-backs after Djed Spence impressed against Southampton and United.

Spurs remain without Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies so Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray will continue at centre-back.

Timo Werner missed the United game due to illness.

Speaking on Friday morning, Postecoglou said: “Timo was unwell yesterday, Udogie was out before the game and we hope they will be okay.”

Asked for an update on Mikey Moore, Postecoglou said: “No, no. he hasn’t been involved [in training]. We’ll need to get at least a couple of weeks’ training into Mikey.”

There could be a recall for Brennan Johnson, who came on as a substitute on Thursday.

Yves Bissouma is available again in the Premier League after he missed the Southampton game through suspension.

Confirmed team news

Tottenham XI: Forster; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison; Kulusevski, Solanke, Son

Subs: Austin, Reguilon, Udogie, Dorrington, Bergvall, Olusesi, Werner, Johnson, Lankshear

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Diaz, Gakpo

Subs: Kelleher, Tsimikas, Quansah, Endo, Jones, Elliott, Nyoni, Nunez, Jota

Injured: Van de Ven, Vicario, Romero, Richarlison, Davies, Bentancur, Odobert

Time and date: 4:30pm GMT on Sunday December 22, 2024

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

TV channel and live stream: Sky Sports

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Spurs host Reds in huge game before Christmas

The Reds are back at Spurs for the first time since that VAR mistake

Tottenham vs Liverpool LIVE!

Spurs are at home for their final run-out before Christmas, as they welcome Premier League title favourites Liverpool to north London. It’s been another entertaining week for Ange Postecoglou & Co. with nine goals in two games and the booking of a Carabao Cup semi-final after beating Manchester United for the second time this season.

The Reds will pose their biggest test for far this season, though. Arne Slot, a former managerial target for Spurs, has barely put a foot wrong since succeeding Jurgen Klopp in the summer, and will know his team are out of revenge after losing at Spurs last season in part due to a hugely controversial VAR mistake in a 2-1 loss.

The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is expected to be lively, and even more so if Chelsea beat Everton earlier in the day to leapfrog Liverpool into top spot. Spurs’ win last season was their first over Liverpool in 13 attempts. Another could do even more damage. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Dan Kilpatrick at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tottenham vs Liverpool latest updates

Team news

It’s a case of as you were for Spurs, who name the same side who beat Manchester United in the Carabao Cup in midweek. Johnson and Udogie are on the bench.

For Liverpool, it’s one change for last week’s draw with Fulham as Mac Allister comes in for Jones.

Team news in full

Tottenham XI: Forster; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison; Kulusevski, Solanke, Son

Subs: Austin, Reguilon, Udogie, Dorrington, Bergvall, Olusesi, Werner, Johnson, Lankshear

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Diaz, Gakpo

Subs: Kelleher, Tsimikas, Quansah, Endo, Jones, Elliott, Nyoni, Nunez, Jota

Tottenham XI

...and the hosts!

Liverpool XI

Here’s how the visitors look.

Team news is imminent. Will Udogie be fit, does Maddison get sacrificed for more defensive solidity?

Does Nunez get the nod for Liverpool? Robertson is also a doubt.

Lovely day for it.

Action Images via Reuters

Slot backs Postecoglou style of play

iverpool head coach Arne Slot hopes Tottenham counterpart Ange Postecoglu's bold attacking style is rewarded with a trophy.

Postecoglu's brand of football has earned him plaudits and criticism, sometimes at the same time, as was evident in Thursday's 4-3 victory over Manchester United when they almost squandered a 3-0 lead in their quarter-final tie.

Slot is a fan and believes the Australian is right to stick to his footballing principles despite the ongoing scrutiny

"I think Ange Postecoglou gives them that identity back completely. Every time it's a joy to watch them," said the Reds boss.

"Sometimes results once in a while go against them, but I think they were one of the teams that beat (Manchester) City, like us, and not all (teams) beat them in the manner like we and Tottenham did.

"It's great work that Ange is doing over there. I hope this has been seen a bit more.

"I also hope that he wins a trophy - not the League Cup - but I'm completely a fan of his team for the Europa League because people always talk about trophies, trophies, trophies (and) that it's so important.

"For his brand of football and his style, it is so much more important and if he can combine that with winning something that would be so good for football in general because people can stop talking about it's too attacking or whatever.

"How on earth can you play too attacking football? I think it is a privilege to be a season ticket holder at Tottenham because they play such a great style and it's not like since Ange arrived they don't win anything any more."

AFP via Getty Images

VAR shambles

We all remember what happened last season when Luis Diaz’s goal at Tottenham was incorrectly ruled out by VAR.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has admitted a “significant human error” led to the mistake .

Replays showed Cristian Romero had played the Colombian winger on however, and VAR officials Darren England and Dan Cook sent a “check complete” message to on-field referee Simon Hooper having wrongly assumed the goal had been given.

Liverpool threatened to “escalate” the issue and, then the audio footage of the incident was released to show the officials realising their mistake moments too late, with it decided that they could not go back and award the goal after the game had restarted.

Jurgen Klopp, remarkably, then called for the game to be replayed.

POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Tottenham vs Liverpool prediction

Spurs have raised their game in some of the bigger matches this season but Liverpool look a step above.

Spurs are one of the leakiest defences in the league and that’s a problem when a team like Liverpool come to town.

Liverpool to win, 3-1.

Liverpool team news

Liverpool are boosted by the availability of Andy Roberston today.

Roberston was sent off in last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Fulham but served his one-game suspension in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley remain sidelined but Arne Slot was boosted by the return of Federico Chiesa and Kostas Tsimikas in Wednesday’s 2-1 win against Southampton.

Slot was able to rest key players at St Mary’s and all of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Ryan Gravenberch are in line to return.

Diogo Jota is pushing for a start in attack after scoring off the bench last weekend.

On the latest on Konate and Bradley, Slot said on Friday: “These are the two that are still 'in the red', so they don't train with us at the moment. They are on their way back but they don't train with the team yet.

“The main thing is that if they come back, they are ready to come back and we must not focus on one, two or three days. It's more important for the long term that they stay fit afterwards.”

Ryan Gravenberch and Darwin Nunez are both one yellow card away from a ban.

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Latest updatesOlder updates

Rashford was dropped for last weekend’s 2-1 win at Manchester City and was not in the squad for the Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham on Thursday.

Ruben Amorim is still without Matthijs de Ligt due to illness so Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez start in defence, with Victor Lindelof missing through injury.

Asked if Rashford is available for selection, Amorim said this week: “Yes, of course. It's the same thing [why he did not feature against Spurs].”

On Lindelof, Amorim said: “Vic was recovering; trained really well, we push him, we make all the sprints that he should do before coming to a game.

“But the game is a completely different world, so they have to have more time to train. So, it's really hard. We try to manage that with rotation, but even with rotation is really hard to have all the squad.”

Sport | Football

Tottenham vs Liverpool: Prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds

Huge game to wrap up Premier League weekend