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Tottenham suffered a 5-2 Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid and have been beaten in all four games since Igor Tudor was appointed head coach.

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Igor Tudor refused to be drawn on his Tottenham Hotspur future after their chastening Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid.

Spurs sank to a 5-2 loss against the Spanish side in the last 16 first-leg clash at Metropolitano Stadium. Tudor’s decision to start Antonin Kinsky in goal over Guglielmo Vicario badly backfired, with Kinsky slipping that gifted Marcos Llorente a chance to open the scoring inside four minutes before the Czech Republic international’s scuffed pass gave Julian Alvarez a tap-in 11 minutes later.

Kinsky was subsequently substituted for Vicario. And while Tottenham did show some spirit, they stare Champions League elimination in the face. The Spurs hierarchy’s call to sack Thomas Frank and bring in Tudor for the rest of the season has been fruitless, with the London outfit losing all four games since the Croatian arrived in the hot seat.

There are calls from Tottenham supporters for the club to make another change in the dugout. Spurs find themselves in a Premier League relegation battle as they sit 16th and just a point above the drop zone.

Tottenham face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday but uncertainty grows around whether Tudor will still be in charge. Asked if he is worried about his job, the former Juventus boss replied: “It is not a topic for me. It is not about my job, it is about how to help the team. It will be always be about that.” Then quizzed on whether he deserves to carry on in the role, Tudor said: “No comment.”

Then pressed on whether being in charge of Tottenham is an impossible job, Tudor retorted: “I am not taking it that way. I recognise what we are and which problems we have. I recognise that every game, something happens. Sometimes it is very difficult to explain. I see also the wish of the players to do the right things. We started good, let's say. These two or three minutes, I feel it during the game.

“These things, when they happen, what I said before, in the moment where we are now, unfortunately, it is like that. Even these slippery things happen, it explains the moment, because they didn't do it. The pitch was the same for both teams.”

To compound Tottenham’s woes, Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha suffered a clash of heads and both had to be substituted. The pair could be absent against Liverpool because of FA concussion protocol. Asked if they could be available to face the Reds, Tudor said: “I don't know. We will see. I don't know.”

If Romero is absent then Tottenham will be without their main centre-back pairing. Micky van de Ven must serve a suspension after being given a red card in 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace.

Tottenham Hotspur suffered a 3-1 defeat by Crystal Palace and they next face Liverpool in the Premier League.

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Tottenham Hotspur’s aspirations of pulling away from the Premier League relegation scrap suffered another blow after another sobering defeat.

Spurs fell to a 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, leaving them just one point above the drop zone. Tottenham led through Dominic Solanke but crumbled before the interval.

However, the encounter took a major twist when Micky van de Ven was given a straight red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity by pulling back Palace forward Ismaila Sarr. The Senegal international netted the subsequent penalty awarded before Jorgen Strand Larsen doubled the advantage and Sarr piled more misery on Tottenham.

Since taking charge of Spurs until the end of the season, Igor Tudor has lost all three matches, having been beaten by Arsenal and Fulham. The North London outfit next face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday 15 March and will be without Van de Ven, who must serve a one-match suspension.

Speaking after the reverse, Tudor said: “I don't want to speak about the club. I want to be positive. I cannot tell the guys nothing in the end after this game. They gave everything. Unfortunately, we pay every detail. We pay every detail.

If we can say that red card is a detail, there is always something to say. With all the problems we have now, missing the defenders today, missing the full-backs, these are the problems we already know. I don't want to speak about that, but we need to stay together now.

“It's very difficult. What you can do, we need to keep working. Keep working, believe. Working on everything. Try to help these guys, because I understand, you know, I see them every day, they care. They care. They want to do, they try to do, but it's moments like that. So, what I said, stay calm, keep working and it will turn off. It will change the situation.”

With Tottenham trailing by two goals at half-time and having a numerical disadvantage, there were sections of crestfallen supporters who headed for the exit doors. Asked about fans leaving early, Tudor said: “Of course I understand the fans. It’s a normal thing that happens in football. They are disappointed. They wanted more. We are aware of that. We also wanted to give more. Unfortunately this is the moment that we pay everything. One red card change everything

“I will tell you now maybe it will sound strange but I believe more after this game than I believed before. I saw something. I need to choose the right guys because the boat is going in the direction that I want to go and needs to go and who is in the boat can stay. Otherwise they can leave the boat. So when the other players will come back and choosing the right (players) I’m sure we will have a good team and the victories will come back. It’s not easy to accept the moment where we are now but it is how it is.”

Liverpool only need to tinker with the starting XI in the summer, with a new centre-half on their radar.

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Liverpool’s summer should be a lot easier than it was last year especially without the sort of saga that Alexander Isak’s transfer created.

There aren’t as many positions that need attention with the signing of Jeremy Jacquet making the centre-half department an easier one to address. If Ibrahima Konate signs a new contract, it will be even easier. Richard Hughes is still on the hunt for a senior defender though given the uncertainty over the France internationals with several names across Europe being linked after losing out on Marc Guehi to Man City in January.

Liverpool look to strengthen the defence

At the top end of the price range is Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven. The Tottenham skipper has partnered Virgil van Dijk at international level and would be the perfect option to, potentially, one day take over from the veteran stopper. He has plenty of experience in the Premier League and his lightning-fast pace is exactly what is needed to defend on the half-way line. At £100m, he wouldn’t come cheap.

Alessandro Bastoni is the other name that Liverpool have been linked with and are said to have asked to be kept informed about the 26-year old’s situation at Inter Milan. They might be top of Serie A, however, the European campaign has not gone according to plan after being unceremoniously dumped out of the Champions League by Bodo/Glimt. According to Fabrizio Romano, neither targets would be easy to buy.

Liverpool could face tough centre-half fight

On his YouTube channel, Italian transfer supremo Romano explaiend what the situation is for both of the Liverpool targets: “For Inter, Bastoni is an absolutely crucial player, they would ask I think for big, big, big money,” he said.

“This is not an easy deal in terms of negotiations. At the moment, there is an appreciation [from Barcelona] but nothing else.” Romano added: “I think at Tottenham there is a situation to clarify with the centre-backs. Now it’s time to fight to stay in the Premier League and try their best possible in the Champions League. But in the summer it’s going to be time to clarify the future of defenders.

“Cuti Romero and or Micky van de Ven, I don’t see Tottenham selling both of them, but there is obviously a lot of attention in the players. Several clubs are following these situations.”

Alexander Isak has not played for Liverpool for two months before of a broken leg.

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Sweden boss Graham Potter continues to remain hopeful he will have Alexander Isak back for next month’s World Cup play-offs.

The striker is still recovering from a broken leg he sustained in Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur two months ago. Isak suffered his blow when opening the scoring for the Reds before he was hurt by Spurs defender Micky van de Ven, who was trying to make a tackle.

Isak has had a frustrating start to his Liverpool career after being signed for a British record fee of £125 million from Newcastle United on summer transfer deadline day. He arrived well short of match fitness, having spent much of pre-season training alone, and subsequently picked up a groin issue.

Isak is making good progress from his broken leg, with Reds head coach Arne Slot revealing last week that the centre-forward is now running outside.

Sweden face Ukraine in a World Cup play-off semi-final next month. If they win that game, they will face either Poland or Albania for a place at the tournament. Potter, who recently took over as Sweden boss, is also sweating on Spurs’ Lucas Bergvall, while Dejan Kulusevski is set to be sidelined.

Speaking to Sportbladet, former Chelsea and West Ham head coach Potter said: "Right now, we're just keeping our fingers crossed and hopefully we can get some of those guys back. But if not, we have to find a solution with the guys that are available.”

Ahead of Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest, Slot suggested that it would be unlikely Isak would be available for Sweden. The Reds have tentatively pencilled in a possible return to action for the end of March.

“I think we all know when the moment you go onto the pitch [that] it doesn’t take three months anymore,” said Slot. “But these final stages of rehab are also the ones that can make things change. So, in the gym you can hardly do too much and in this stage you constantly have to wait and see if you tick the next box, the next box, the next box… so, let’s not put a timescale on it, but it’s clear that he will be available, if things go as planned, this season.

“It will be somewhere around there and then it’s always the question if things go really well or if he gets a little bit of a setback. So, it will be around that period of time – end of March, start of April when he’s hopefully back with the group. When you’re back with the group it’s not to say that you are ready to play, let alone start, a game of football because, again, he’s been out for months and the last time he’s been out for months I think we could all see that it took him a while before he was the player we have signed from Newcastle.”

Liverpool were linked with Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven.

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Ange Postecoglou has suggested that Liverpool missed out on signing Micky van de Ven to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Reds were linked with the centre-back in the summer of 2023. However, Van de Ven left Wolfsburg to join Spurs for a fee of £43 million.

Van de Ven helped Tottenham win the Europa League last season and is known as one of the fastest defenders in the Premier League.

Liverpool have continued to be linked with a potential swoop for Van de Ven, with Spurs enduring their struggles this season. They are 16th in the table.

Speaking on the Netherland international and his potential, former Tottenham boss Postecoglou said on the Stick to Football podcast: “He is top, he can be as good as he wants. 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, he is not talking out of turn, right? But, like, 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.

“He is top mate, he could be as good as anything in terms of you think about the modern game and 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.”

Liverpool still need to strengthen in one key area of the pitch in particular

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There is still much to be resolved both on and off the pitch for Liverpool this season as we pass the half-way stage of the campaign, with Arne Slot’s side sat by no means comfortably in the top four of the Premier League.

The Reds have drawn an astounding four league matches in a row, six of their last nine, amidst an unbeaten run which is on one level impressive, but on another level beginning to look like a missed opportunity to nail down a Champions League spot.

The likes of Manchester United and Chelsea are closing in after victories over the weekend and both clubs have new managers in the dugout, both of whom have made a winning start. Liverpool’s sluggish 1-1 draw with Burnley on Saturday meant that the defending champions have drawn at home against all three newly-promoted sides this term – the first time that has ever happened in the Premier League era.

Off the pitch, several first-team stars are seeing their contracts running down and Slot may feel that reinforcements are needed.

Liverpool target massive £78m move for Van de Ven

Liverpool have been linked with a stunning move for Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven over recent months and speculation has resurfaced as per reports by Fichajes in Spain which were relayed by LiverpoolWorld on Sunday.

A massive £78million offer has been speculated for the Netherlands international, who has shone in a poor Spurs side and may seek a new challenge if Thomas Frank’s side fail to qualify for Europe. That looks to be the likelihood at present with the north London outfit down in 14th place and out of the domestic cup competitions, amidst increasing pressure on the Danish head coach.

Van de Ven was touted as “perfect” for Liverpool by Jason Cundy on talkSPORT and could be the ideal heir to 34-year-old captain Virgil van Dijk which Anfield has been crying out for, with Slot believed to be a massive fan. But with a massive transfer fee quoted and Spurs set to be reluctant to sell their prize asset for any figure, the Lilywhites’ interest in a Liverpool ace could result in a shock swap deal between the two Premier League giants.

Tottenham interest in Reds star could lead to stunning swap deal

Spurs have held a historic interest in Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, and their admiration of the Reds academy graduate was brought to the surface over the weekend, as The Times’ Paul Joyce noted that the 24-year-old is entering the final 18 months of his deal at Anfield and may soon face somewhat of a career crossroads.

Jones has earnt a strong run in the side in recent weeks with ten starts in the last eleven matches in all competitions, though doubts persist over his long-term future as a starter when everyone is fit and available. Though the boyhood Reds fan has previously expressed his desire to stay at Anfield for the entirety of his career to emulate hero Steven Gerrard, the reality remains that the six-cap England international could depart to become the main man elsewhere.

Tottenham’s previous interest in Jones could create a unique scenario for Liverpool. The inclusion of the midfielder in a deal for Van de Ven could bring the transfer fee down for one of the Reds’ dream transfer targets, while offering Spurs an incentive to sell to Liverpool over rival suitors such as Real Madrid. A sensational swap deal involving Jones and Van de Ven would certainly steal the headlines around Merseyside, London and beyond if it were to go ahead in 2026.

Liverpool transfer news as Curtis Jones is reportedly eyed by a Premier League rival.

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Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur, reports suggest.

According to The Times, the Reds homegrown midfielder has been on the radar of the London outfit previously.

Jones has made a total of 206 appearances for Liverpool, recording 19 goals and 20 assists. Since his first-team breakthrough, he’s helped his boyhood club claim six major trophies, including two Premier League titles.

Last term, Jones played 33 times as Arne Slot guided the Reds to the top-flight crown in his maiden campaign. He was often used as a substitute, though, with Slot preferring the trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

This campaign, Jones has featured more prominently, starting seven of Liverpool’s past eight league games. But he is still not a cast-iron player who is guaranteed to feature week in, week out.

The six-cap England international is out of contract at Anfield in 2027. And it is reported by The Times that Premier League rivals Tottenham have been keen on Jones in the past and could feel it’s time to become ‘more of a guaranteed starter’ elsewhere.

Jones’ ambitions

The 24-year-old has been with Liverpool since he was a child and previously revealed that he wants to emulate Kop legend Steven Gerrard by becoming a future Anfield captain.

“I think that the biggest thing is that I still have to have the humble way about myself and I don’t want to say, ‘Yeah, na, I’m gonna be captain’ or anything like that,” said Jones to Sky Sports. “But I want to be captain of the team. I want to stay here for all my life like the man who I look up to, as everybody knows is Gerrard.

“If I could follow him, I mean that would be great. I would never complain. I would always have a smile on my face, especially because of who he is in the city and stuff but then how he’s obviously seen in the footballing world.

“If you go and speak with like legends who obviously played the game and [ask] who they wish that they played with or anything like that, they always seem to say him. And then players who have obviously played with him and how he was on the training pitch and all things like that, I want to be seen the same way.”

Slot on Jones

Speaking on Jones’ recent form, Slot said last month: “One of the main qualities he has is that he always wants to have the ball no matter the situation, 99 times out of 100 that is very positive.

“Sometimes it is smarter to stay away or not go to a difficult situation but if he had one in the corner he is able to bring himself out of the situation and play the ball. The most positive thing for him is that he is able to stay fit for four or five games in a row now, 90 minutes every time.”

Liverpool need to make signings to strengthen the centre of their defence with three of their four senior options all out of contract by 2027

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Liverpool need to address their pending issues in central defence as three of their four senior options all have 18 months or less remaining on their respective deals.

Ibrahima Konate is out of contract this summer and there has been no progress on a new deal and, as things stand, he is set to leave the club at the end of the campaign.

Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are both out of contract at Anfield in 2027, with Giovanni Leoni the only senior option who has a long-term deal. He is currently out with an ACL injury and not expected to play until August or September.

The Reds have missed out on signing Marc Guehi with Crystal Palace agreeing £20m with Manchester City, who have made a move amid defensive injuries in their ranks. Liverpool do not believe signing Guehi this month for a transfer fee represents good value as they preferred to wait until the summer.

They had a £35m deal agreed with Palace back in the last transfer window but the move collapsed on deadline day as Eagles boss Oliver Glasner was heavily resistant to losing the defender.

It means the Reds will need alternatives as they look to future-proof their options in central defence.

According to reports in Spain from Fichajes, Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has been identified as the long-term replacement for Van Dijk. The Reds said to be prepared to pay £78m to sign the Dutchman.

Spurs do not want to lose him but if Liverpool follow through on their intentions, the London club are “aware that this is a difficult figure to refuse, even for a key player.”

Van de Ven has been with Spurs since 2023 and has over three years remaining on his deal. talkSPORT have also reported that the Reds are tracking the defender.

“I feel sorry for him in the sense that he deserves to be playing at a bigger club. He won’t stay at Spurs,” former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor said.

“Don’t sign a new deal there, Van de Ven. You deserve better than Spurs.”

Former Chelsea man Jason Cundy believes Liverpool should be making a move for the Spurs man. He said after Liverpool drew 1-1 with Burnley on Saturday: “Here’s the thing, if I’m Liverpool I’m going after Van de Ven.

“That’s what I would do, I would absolutely go all out. They lost out on Guehi, Van de Ven is the next big thing at centre-half. He’s perfect for Liverpool if they want to play a high line. I’m going straight after him.”

Former Liverpool assistant coach John Heitinga has joined Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur

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Former Liverpool assistant coach John Heitinga is back in the game after joining Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur as an assistant coach to Thomas Frank.

The former Everton defender spent 12 months as an assistant at Anfield and was part of the coaching team that guided the Reds to a Premier League title last season.

He departed Anfield in the summer to take over at European giants Ajax. However, he was sacked by the Dutch club in early November after winning just four of his 11 Eredivisie matches in charge.

Ajax had also lost all four of their Champions League matches under the ex-Liverpool assistant.

Technical director Alex Kroes told the club's website at the time: "It's a painful decision. We know it can take time for a new coach to work with a squad that has undergone changes.

"We have given John that time, but we believe it's best for the club to appoint someone else to lead the team."

However, he has now returned to the Premier League and agreed a deal to become part of Frank’s set-up in North London.

Frank said: “John is a great addition to our coaching staff. His ability, personality and character will add huge value both on and off the pitch.

“He had an impressive playing career across Europe – including five years in the Premier League – and with the Dutch national team.

“As a former defender, that will be one of his main responsibilities on the training pitch, and he brings great coaching and management experiences from all levels of the game, which will really help us moving forward.”

Liverpool have faced Spurs once this season, as they recorded a 2-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike both scoring for the Reds in that game.

They take on the North London club for a second time on March 14 at Anfield. Although the date of that fixture is subject to change with broadcast selections yet to be made.

Heitinga also has coaching experience in the Premier League, having worked with David Moyes at West Ham United.

He said previously of his time in the English top flight: “I got to work with two coaches of which one has been around for a long time, and the other one got to continue Jurgen Klopp‘s legacy.

“I think, together, we built something wonderful there last season.”

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a Liverpool star

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Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly been keeping tabs on the Liverpool first team this transfer window as they work on bolstering their squad.

Spurs, who are currently 14th in the Premier League table, have already made big calls this month. The North London side made the decision to sell Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace and are now closing in on a deal for Conor Gallagher.

The former Chelsea star is nearing a move back to the Premier League after leaving Stamford Bridge in 2024. Gallagher joined Atletico Madrid and he has been a key part of the team since his arrival but clubs have been eager to see him return to England.

Tottenham shortlisted Liverpool midfielder as January transfer target

It has been reported that Spurs and Atletico have agreed a £34 million deal for Gallagher, with an official announcement expected this week following his medical. However, despite nearing a deal for the midfielder, he wasn’t the only figure on their shortlist this window.

Tottenham insider Paul O’Keefe has reported that Liverpool star Curtis Jones was also being considered by Tottenham. After reporting on Spurs agreeing a five-and-a-half-year deal for Gallagher O’Keefe responded to follow-up questions from fans on social media.

When asked if Spurs would be looking to sign a ‘progressive midfielder’ this transfer window, he responded: “Not really progressive but they had Curtis Jones on their list. Presumably they scrub that now – one year left on his deal.”

O’Keefe also followed up by clarifying Jones was on a ‘list of targets’ for Tottenham before they opted to sign Gallagher.

Curtis Jones contract situation at Liverpool

Jones has made nine Premier League starts this season but sat out the entirety of the Arsenal game on the bench. The Liverpool Academy graduate has been pushing to become a regular at his boyhood club for years but has never quite managed to establish himself as an unrivalled starter.

Jones’ current contract is due to expire in 2027 and a report from September 2025 claimed the Reds were working on tying him down to new terms.

TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey said: “When it comes to Liverpool contracts, I think Curtis Jones will be sorted pretty soon. Ryan Gravenberch will be the next cab off the rank after that. In terms of contracts, Jones and Gravenberch will be the next big deals Liverpool really commit to.”