LiverpoolWorld

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com

and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Visit Shots! now

Liverpool face Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-finals next week and the home side have mounting injury issues.

Sign up to our Liverpool FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Tottenham Hotspur have suffered their latest injury blow ahead of next week’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool.

The Reds make the trip to North London less than a month since the enthralling 6-3 win over Ange Postecoglou’s side in the Premier League. Liverpool are six points clear at the top of the table - some 21 points above Tottenham.

Spurs have had an injury crisis of late, with key centre-back duo Micky van de Van and Cristian Romero absent with respective hamstring issues, along with the versatile defender Ben Davies and No.1 goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

And in their 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Destiny Udogie was forced out. The left-back sustained a hamstring problem of his own. Tottenham boss Postecoglou said: “I think it's a hamstring. Again, like I said, we've been relying on a core group of players because we just haven't had the ability to rotate, so at some point, it was going to catch up with us. Unfortunately, it caught up with Destiny.”

According to Football.London it is expected that Udogie will be sidelined ‘until late February at the earliest as he faces up to eight weeks out’. That means that the Italy international will be unavailable for Tottenham’s clash against Liverpool on Wednesday 8 January. In addition, Richarlison and Wilson Odobert (both hamstring) will remain absent.

Spurs will also be without James Maddison and Pape Matar Sarr for the last-four encounter. The pair have picked up two yellow cards in the competition so far and are therefore suspended for the first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Despite their troubles, Postecoglou is remaining optimistic that Tottenham can turn around their faltering form. Spurs are 11 points off the Champions League places, with qualification the aim at the start of the season.

The Aussie said: “I just feel that at some point we'll get a relatively healthy squad and when we do that we'll be able to perform at a high level consistently and we've already shown this year we can beat anyone. There's a chance there you can go on a run. But at the moment that's secondary to the first bit, we have to try to get some support for the players - both mentally and physically and in terms of numbers to give them the opportunity to play at their best.”

Liverpool, meanwhile, may be without three defenders against Tottenham. Ibrahima Konate (knee) and Conor Bradley (hamstring) have been unavailable for the past month. In addition, Joe Gomez sustained a hamstring issue of his own in the 5-0 thrashing of West Ham United in the Reds’ final game of 2024.

Head coach Arne Slot said: “You saw today an injury of Joe Gomez. If a player says he wants to stop, he has to be changed. In a sprint, then we all know it’s a hamstring and we all know it’s going take a while before he is back. I don’t know how long but he will be out for quite a bit. These situations can happen in a season.”

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com

and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Visit Shots! now

Former Spurs man Paul Robinson would like to see this Liverpool star in North London.

Sign up to our Liverpool FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

The January transfer window is fast approaching and once the final games of 2024 have been completed, clubs can shift their attention to potential deals on the market. The new year is known for being a more tricky window to navigate, however, plenty of clubs have been linked with significant targets to bolster their chances of titles, qualifications, and survival at the end of the season.

Liverpool were not initially expected to get much done in January but rumours have been building up in recent weeks. While the Reds still may not opt to spend big following the turn of the new year, a lot of speculation is surrounding their summer.

Liverpool are pushing for the Premier League title in Arne Slot’s first season in charge, and thanks to the latest lot of results, they have eased some extra daylight between them and Chelsea. The result of Slot’s debut season could determine whether some players stay or leave. Trent Alexander-Arnold for example is out of contract in June and remains heavily linked to Real Madrid.

However, there are some players whose departure seems inevitable at this point. Caoimhin Kelleher has been a standout deputy to Alisson once again this season but with the Brazilian back to fitness, it’s been business as usual. Kelleher is back to sitting games out on the bench and many pundits have branded him the best No.2 in the world.

The Republic of Ireland international had been linked with an exit over the summer as he longs for a permanent starting position. Celtic were heavily interested in signing him but his price tag proved too expensive.

As we approach the half-way point in the season, clubs are starting to get their ducks in a row. It’s an almost impossible scenario that Kelleher will leave Liverpool in January but Paul Robinson fancies the 26-year-old joining his former side.

The former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper has discussed Ange Postecoglou’s options between the sticks, with first choice Guglielmo Vicario currently out injured. Robinson has said there is ‘no rush’ for Spurs to panic sign a new goalkeeper in January, as Fraser Forster is a solid back-up. However, the idea of Kelleher joining in the summer has piqued his interest.

“You look at him [Forster], you look at the experience that he’s got, I don’t think for what you’re going to get on loan or as an emergency signing now for what you’re going to buy now, you need to buy better than what you’ve got. I’m not so sure you do when you look at the options out there, January is always typically, it’s a difficult month to do business,” Robinson told Football Insider.

“Don’t bring somebody in who’s not better than what you’ve already got, I just don’t think there’s anybody out there in January that would fit the bill. Kelleher’s time at Liverpool with Marmadashvili coming in, that would be a brilliant option if we were talking in the summer.”

Kelleher is under contract at Liverpool until 2026 and reports over the summer claimed they wanted £35 million for his signature. It’s unlikely the shot-stopper will commit to a new deal, especially with Giorgi Mamardashvili arriving ahead of the new season.

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com

and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Visit Shots! now

Everton opted to sell Ben Godfrey to Atalanta but he could return to the Premier League.

Sign up to our Everton FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Ben Godfrey has been linked with a Premier League return - just months after leaving Everton.

The defender left the Blues in the summer transfer window to join Serie A side Atalanta. Godfrey was down the pecking order at Goodison Park, with Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski the preferred centre-back duo.

Last season, the ex-Norwich City man made only 16 appearances for Sean Dyche’s side. With a year left on his contract, Everton banked a fee of £10 million for Godfrey.

However, he has been a bit-part player since joining Atalanta. He has made just five appearances in all competitions as La Dea sit at the summit of the Serie A table.

Football Insider reports that there is a ‘growing belief’ that Godfrey could return to England in January on loan. Nottingham Forest and Wolves have previously been linked with his services. However, it is suggested that Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the former England international.

Spurs currently have centre-half duo Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero sidelined through injury. During their 6-3 loss to Liverpool yesterday, 18-year-old midfielder Archie Gray was forced to operate in defence along with Radu Dragusin. It is claimed that Ange Postecoglou’s side are the ‘frontrunners’ to land Godfrey on a temporary basis for the remainder of the campaign.

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com

and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Visit Shots! now

Liverpool ran out 6-3 winners over Tottenham Hotspur to move five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Sign up to our Liverpool FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Ange Postecoglou admitted Tottenham Hotspur’s loss to Liverpool was ‘painful’.

The Reds delivered an enthralling 6-3 win in North London to move five points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister put the visitors in command before James Maddison reduced the deficit for Spurs.

But Dominik Szoboszlai netted to give the Reds a healthy advantage at half-time before a Mo Salah double after the interval put them in command. While Tottenham rallied somewhat, with Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke bagging, Diaz restored Arne Slot’s side’s three-goal lead.

Tottenham were missing several key players, including centre-back duo Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, No.1 goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur. Postecolgou felt that facing Liverpool was a ‘bridge too far’ for his depleted Spurs side. The Aussie said: “Look, it was a difficult day for us and a painful result. Credit to Liverpool, they are a very good side and are in a great moment.

“They are very settled, in great form, great belief. It was just a bridge too far for us today. You could tell we were lacking a little bit of energy and the ability to really compete with them at the same level.”

Postecoglou was subsequently asked if Liverpool showed him the yardstick that Tottenham need to reach. However, when starting his answer, the ex-Celtic supremo then stopped himself in his tracks. He replied: “Yeah, fair bit. Fair bit. Considering they’re...no. Fair bit. I'll just leave it there. They are a good side. A top side.”

Then pressed on how far away a full-strength Tottenham were from Liverpool, who they will face in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, Postecoglou added: “Don’t know because we are still growing as a team and we are 18 months into building a new team with a new way of playing.

It’s fair to say we have had some challenges along the way considering the availability (of players). Particularly at the moment so it is very hard to see where we are at. What I will say is the players are not wavering in their commitment to what we are trying to do. Even today, a difficult day, I’m really proud of the fact they still tried to play a certain way knowing that is our way forward.”

Mo Salah scored twice in Liverpool’s thrilling victory over Tottenham.

Sign up to our Liverpool FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Mo Salah says there is still no update on his Liverpool future.

The winger netted a double in the Reds thrilling 6-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur to secure they are top of the Premier League at Christmas. Salah has also moved to fourth on Liverpool’s all-time scorer charts ahead o the legendary Billy Liddell on 229.

But the Egypt international is out of contract at the end of the season. He admitted last month he was still to be offered a new deal by the club.

And asked by Sky Sports (via BBC Sport) if there is an update on his future, Salah simply replied: “No.”

Liverpool’s win over Tottenham will go down as a Premier League classic for the ages. Salah and Luis Diaz fired doubles, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szboszlai bagging. And Salah admitted the enthralling battle was exactly what Arne Slot’s men were braced for.

He added: We expected that [a chaotic game], the way they play, they open the game, they enjoy their football, physically tough and mentally we always have to be in the game.

"They don't change much the way they play, it’s intense. City came here and struggled, other teams too. I’m happy we won because they play an intense game."

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com

and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Visit Shots! now

Liverpool team news ahead of the Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur.

Sign up to our Liverpool FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Liverpool will without two defenders for their trip to Tottenham Hotspur today (4.30pm GMT).

Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley remain out of action for the Reds. The pair suffered injuries in a 2-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League almost a month ago. Konate sustained a knee issue while Bradley suffered a hamstring complaint.

They have been absent for the previous five games and have yet to return to training before the Tottenham encounter. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, head coach Arne Slot said: “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. Until now they [the medical staff] have done really well and hopefully with Conor and Ibou the same thing happens.”

Liverpool will welcome back Andy Robertson to their squad after he was suspended for the 2-1 win over Southampton in the Carabao Cup. Alexis Mac Allister also returned to Premier League action after being suspended for last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Fulham.

However, there were a trio of players not spotted in the latest training photos uploaded by Liverpool. On Friday, Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa and Tyler Morton were not sighted at the AXA Training Centre. It could be a case that all three were given additional recovery time. Chiesa, in particular, is being managed carefully after arriving from Juventus in the summer transfer window short of match fitness. The winger featured in the second half against Southampton.

The likes of Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch were all given a rest midweek so should benefit. A win for Liverpool over Tottenham will see them top of the Premier League table at Christmas.

Potential Liverpool players to face Tottenham

Goalkeepers: Alisson, Kelleher, Jaros.

Defenders: Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Gomez, Quansah, Robertson, Tsimikas, Nallo.

Midfielders: Gravenberch, Endo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones, Elliott, Morton, Nyoni, McConnell.

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com

and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Visit Shots! now

Liverpool team predicted to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Sign up to our Liverpool FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Liverpool aim to stay top of the Premier League at Christmas when they travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (4.30pm GMT).

Victory in North London will ensure that the Reds sit at the summit on 25 December - something that many fans did not predict at the start of the season. Sections of supporters were unsure how Liverpool would fare under Arne Slot after he succeeded Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield hot seat.

But the Reds have continued on an upward trajectory and are fighting for silverware on four fronts, having moved into the Carabao Cup semi-finals earlier this week with a 2-1 win over Southampton. Slot was afforded to rest a swathe of his first-team players and the fringe men will be hoping they have done enough to impress.

Liverpool have not won their previous two league games, with the gap at the top being cut to two points. That is why bouncing back against Spurs is important but it will be a tough test. Tottenham have been inconsistent this season but possess plenty of threats in attack, which Slot will be wary of.

Liverpool only have Ibrahima Konate (knee) and Conor Bradley (hamstring) absent so the head coach has plenty of his troops to select from. With that in mind, here is the Reds team predicted.

GK - Alisson Becker

The No.1 has admitted Liverpool are targeting 'something special' this season. A victory over Spurs would push the Reds towards that, but Alisson will know he will be kept busy.

RB - Trent Alexander-Arnold

The vice-captain was withdrawn at half-time against Southampton with this game in mind. Will have to stop Spurs captain Son Heung-min as well as contributing going forward.

CB - Joe Gomez

Enjoyed a run in the team in his favoured position while Konate is absent. Gomez will be determined not to lose his spot when his team-mate is back fit and must continue to impress.

CB - Virgil van Dijk

The Liverpool captain did not feature at all against Southampton, which will benefit him plenty.

LB - Andy Robertson

The Scotland international hit somewhat of a bonus that his suspension for a red card in last weekend's 2-2 draw against Fulham was enforced against Southampton.

CM - Ryan Gravenberch

The Dutchman has been one of Liverpool's best players this season and was so impressive in the Fulham clash when having to drop into defence. Another who had the night off midweek.

CM - Alexis Mac Allister

The World Cup winner made his return against Southampton after missing the previous two games through suspension. Mac Allister was rusty but that was to be expected given it was his first game in 14 days.

CM - Dominik Szoboszlai

It's a close battle for the No.10 role between Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones. However, the energy of the Hungary international on a big pitch may just get him the nod.

RW - Mo Salah

Liverpool's talisman has 12 career goals against Spurs - the latest coming in the 4-2 win at Anfield last season. He will be raring to go.

ST - Darwin Nunez

There are no doubt that fans would like to see Diogo Jota back but he might not be quite ready to feature from the outset. Nunez scored against Southampton and his pace against a high Tottenham backline could see him get chances.

LW - Luis Diaz

Wrongly had a perfectly legitimate goal disallowed in this fixture last season. Diaz will be determined to put that right this time around.

Subs

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com

and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Visit Shots! now

Tottenham Hotspur team news ahead of their Premier League fixture against Liverpool.

Sign up to our Liverpool FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Tottenham Hotspur are hoping that Timo Werner can be fit to face Liverpool.

Spurs will head into Sunday’s Premier League battle against the Reds without several key players. They include defensive trio Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies, No.1 goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur. Former Everton striker Richarlison, Wilson Odobert and Mikey Moore are also absent.

Werner was missing for Tottenham’s 4-3 win over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals through illness. Left-back Destiny Udogie was another left out of the squad. Spurs boss Postecoglou is optimistic both could be back against Liverpool in North Londo.

The Australian said at his pre-match press conference: "We'll see, the boys are coming in now (Friday, late morning) as it was a late night. Timo was unwell yesterday so we've got 48 hours or so before the game and hopefully he will recover. The plan is Destiny (Udogie) should be okay."

Liverpool head to Tottenham at the top of the Premier League table - two points clear of second-placed Chelsea. The Reds have lost only one game in all competitions this season. However, if they suffer defeat, they could be demoted to second should Chelsea beat Everton earlier in the afternoon.

Spurs are 10th in the league, winning as many matches as they have lost (7). Postecoglou’s attack-minded style has come under scrutiny, although Liverpool counterpart Arne Slot was full of praise for the ex-Celtic boss’ approach. In reply, Postecoglou said: “I appreciate it, kind words from somebody who is making his own impact in the game. Look, I think most fellow managers, whether they agree with my approach, will understand where I’m coming from and what I’m trying to do, so that respect is mutual from me. I said last week, we’ve all got really difficult tasks, we’ve all got our own challenges and we all go about it our own way.

“I admire the people who stick to their principles and have conviction in what they are doing whether they are successful or not, because we’re not all going to be successful as much as we’d like to. I appreciate the sentiment and most managers whether they agree with my approach or not will understand what I’m doing."

Spurs have been free-scoring, netting 36 times in the top flight - six more than Liverpool. Asked whether the encounter could finish 0-0, Postecoglou replied: "I’d be very surprised, but you never know. That would be because, like I said, they’ve got a fantastic team with unbelievable attacking threats. You’re always going to be aware of that, but we are pretty good at scoring ourselves, so we will see."

Arne Slot was booked in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Fulham.

Sign up to our Liverpool FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Arne Slot will be forced to serve a one-match touchline ban.

The Liverpool head coach picked up his third yellow card of the season during today’s 2-2 draw against Fulham at Anfield. Slot was booked for remonstrating with referee Tony Harrington after Reds midfield Curtis Jones had received a caution for a foul on Alex Iwobi in the second half.

Slot had already been given yellow cards against Chelsea and Arsenal earlier in the season. Premier League rules state managers who pick up three bookings at any point in the season must serve a one-match suspension. That will be invoked when the Reds travel to Tottenham Hotspur next Sunday.

Liverpool will also be missing Andy Robertson, who was sent-off in the first half of the Fulham clash for preventing a goalscoring opportunity. Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota were on target as the 10-man Reds twice battled from behind to earn a share of the spoils.

Andy Robertson was given a red card in Liverpool’s clash against Fulham.

Sign up to our Liverpool FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Andy Robertson was sent off in Liverpool’s clash against Fulham.

The left-back received his marching orders in the 17th minute for bringing down Cottagers winger Harry Wilson at Anfield. Robertson’s heavy touch allowed Wilson on goal and the Liverpool defender committed a foul that was deemed that have denied a goalscoring opportunity to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. Andreas Pereira broke the deadlock for Fulham on 11 minutes.

A VAR check took place as to whether Wilson had strayed offside - but he was ruled onside and Robertson was given his marching orders. It means the Scotland international has to serve a one-match suspension against Tottenham Hotspur next weekend. A statement from the Premier League Match Centre on X said: “The referee issued a red card to Robertson for a foul on Wilson which denied a goalscoring opportunity. VAR checked to confirm the red card and that Wilson was in an onside position.”

In the first minute of the game, Robertson was on the end of a foul by Issa Diop, who received a yellow card. That incident was also checked by VAR but stuck with on-field referee Tony Harington’s decision.

The referee issued a yellow card to Diop for a challenge on Robertson. VAR checked for a potential red card and confirmed the referee’s call of reckless challenge and yellow card. A statement from the Premier League Match Centre on X said: “The referee issued a yellow card to Diop for a challenge on Robertson. VAR checked for a potential red card and confirmed the referee’s call of reckless challenge and yellow card.”