Liverpool Echo

Dominik Szozbszlai is an injury doubt for Liverpool's trip to Tottenham Hotspur, but Thomas Frank is tipping the midfielder to feature

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank says he expects Dominik Szoboszlai to start for Liverpool on Saturday evening. And he has described the all-action midfielder as "a beast".

Szoboszlai is a doubt for the game in north London after hurting his ankle in the closing stages of last week's 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield. But Liverpool head coach Arne Slot confirmed on Friday that a training session would determine whether or not the Hungary captain is in contention.

Frank outlined a number of threats he feels the Reds will carry in their side and believes their star midfielder will pass a late fitness test to continue his 100% record of starting every Premier League match for the defending champions so far this season

"I think Liverpool is an excellent team," Frank said. "They were well-deserved champions last year. They started very well.

"I think they've got fantastic players. Hugo Ekitike, what a season he's had. (Alexander0 Isak, we know, is a top striker as well.

"(Florian) Wirtz is a fantastic player with a big potential, adapting to the Premier League. I think last year they had one of the best midfield three in the league, maybe most complete, in (Ryan) Gravenberch, (Alexis) Mac Allister and Szoboszlai - he’s a beast, he will play tomorrow, of course.

"So, it's a very good team that we're facing, but also know if we hit a high level, we can compete very well, and I believe we can do something good, and we'll go for the three points.”

Frank added: "I think it's very important that we do both - work very hard on what are our strengths and principles, and if you are not respectful for a team that won the Premier League, and what kind of threat they pose, then I think you don't do well.

"As far as I know, the last four times we played them, we had a good 1-0 win, and only three other scores, you can check them, we conceded a few goals in three of those games, so probably a good idea also to defend a bit. I think that's fair."

Tottenham will be without eight players for the match - James Maddison, Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma, Destiny Udogie, former Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke, Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski and Kota Takai.

For the latest Liverpool FC news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.

Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @‌LivEchoLFC - the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account - for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.

We're also on FaceookLiverpoolEchoLFC - your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.

Listen to our podcasts by searching for 'Blood Red' wherever you get your podcasts.

Tottenham Hotspur play host to Liverpool on Saturday night with manager Thomas Frank feeling the heat after four defeats in seven games

Thomas Frank is steadfast in his belief that he can fix Tottenham Hotspur if given time and has no doubts about the buy-in of his current squad. Spurs host Premier League champions Liverpool on Saturday night in another important fixture for Frank after a positive start to his tenure has been followed by painful recent defeats to Chelsea, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.

The build-up to the visit of Liverpool has been dominated by a revealing interview from centre-back Micky van de Ven, who expressed his shock at the dismissal of Frank's predecessor, Ange Postecoglou, and claimed to "still believe" in the system of the Australian.

Asked if buy-in had been difficult, Frank replied: "No, I think it has been a good buy-in. You could say that from the beginning of the season we started quite well without being sensational.

"I thought we were very good in some games and good in other games. And then, like in every season, you have some setbacks and spells where it is maybe not going the right way, but I don't see anything that they are not with me or going in the same direction."

Tottenham took baby steps with much-needed home wins over Brentford and Slavia Prague earlier this month, but a 3-0 collapse at Forest on Sunday has sparked further debate over Frank's long-term prospects.

"I feel supported. I've done that the whole time," Frank said.

"This is not a quick fix. This will take time. That's not to say that we're not going to do everything we can to beat Liverpool. I believe we have a good chance of doing that, but this is something where we are building.

"I'm very comfortable and confident that I will, how can I say, fix it, but just to make sure it's not me. When this club comes out on top, there will be a lot of good people working together, aligned at the same time through the years.

"I just know one thing I'm pretty good at, I'm good at analysing things. I know what good looks like and I know where we should get, and one thing is I'm 1000 per cent sure, we haven't seen any club be successful unless they had key people in the right decisions for a long time.

"And I'll back myself to be one of those key people to be in that position."

Frank revealed he had not watched Van de Ven's interview on The Overlap, but was made aware of his comments.

The main focus of the Danish coach is to ensure Spurs end a torrid run of form at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2025 on a high – with the club only able to register four home wins in the Premier League in 17 matches this year under Frank and Postecoglou.

"If you are not respectful of a team that won the Premier League and what kind of threat they pose, then I think you don't do well," Frank said.

"As far as I know, in the last four times we played them, we got a good 1-0 win and then I know the three other scores you can check them. We conceded a few goals in those games.

"We work very hard on our breakthrough phase. We work very hard on our positions and then also worked very hard on our defensive side of the game."

Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Gomez – Liverpool injuries and return dates ahead of Tottenham  Liverpool Echo

Arne Slot lays down challenges to two of his Liverpool team ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Tottenham Hotspur

Arne Slot has challenged Ibrahima Konate to keep up the form that has helped Liverpool keep back-to-back clean sheets ahead of Saturday's visit to Tottenham Hotspur. Konate has started every Premier League game this term alongside captain Virgil van Dijk and has seen his displays come under fire during a difficult run that saw the champions lose six times between late September and November.

However, Liverpool are unbeaten in five across all competitions and have secured three clean sheets during that time, in victories over West Ham United, Inter in the Champions League, and last week's 2-0 triumph at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Slot said after the 3-3 draw with Leeds United that France international Konate is "too often at the crime scene" when it came to conceding goals but the Reds boss has been pleased with the response from the former RB Leipzig defender, who is expected to start at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday evening.

"For centre-backs that is not an uncommon thing to be on the crime scene if you concede goals but he has been unlucky a few times, where he played a good game in my opinion but a moment decides the game," Slot said.

"We play a low scoring game, football, that is the nice thing about football and why teams who are not as good can also win the game, and then when you are involved in a moment like Ibou it has an immediate impact on the result. And then maybe people are not as positive about that as they should be if you look at his performances.

"But recently he has not been on the crime scene and that is the way we prefer to see him. We prefer to see all of our players [away from the crime scene], but that is not only about him.

"He has helped out recently than before, we are less vulnerable in situations than we were earlier in the season. And that has had an immediate impact on centre-backs and Ibou is a centre-back. So let's keep it like this."

Slot also asked Curtis Jones to maintain his current level after turning in eye-catching performances from the start in his last three games, the most recent of which was his 200 appearance for the Reds.

Slot added: "He has done really good in the last three games and I think that is not the first time, but maybe since I am here it is the first time that three times in a row he brings in very very good performances.

"He's had good performances in the past and then maybe the game later I didn't like the performance as much recently in his last three. It is again the challenge to go to the fourth, the fifth, the sixth game. "But I think I am not the only one who liked the way he played with so much confidence, with so much work rate, giving it all in every single moment for the team and really comfortable on the ball as well. "So his last three performances are the base for where we expect him to go on but that starts tomorrow against a difficult opponent in Spurs."

It is a question only the future can answer...we conceded more chances v Brighton than four other games combined [during unbeaten run]. We kept Inter away from danger, maybe one chance with Martinez. Brighton arrived a lot of times in our 18-yard box but we created a lot ourselves. It was good from us first half, second half was more open, a lot of nice situations in both boxes. But Brighton has a good plan and players.

"We are getting closer to the team I want us to be, and it has come with ups and downs. Make sense with all the changes in the summer and we felt we needed to. If I am honest, I didn't expect it to take this long but you have to adapt and it takes some time. We have been a bit unlucky with some referee decisions."

He's done really well in the last 3 games, and it is not the first time but maybe since I am here it is 3 times in a row for the first time very good performances. Maybe I didn't like them as much as I did recently so it is a challenge for him to go to 4th or 5th game in a row. So much confidence, so much work rate, really comfortable on the ball as well. Last 3 performances are the base for him to go on and that starts tomorrow against Spurs."

For centre-backs it is not uncommon to be at the crime scene if you concede but he has been unlucky at times and moments can decide games. When you are involved in some moments like Ibou, it has an immediate impact on the result. Recently he has not been at the crime scene and that is how we prefer to see it. But it is not only about him, he has helped out more recently than before. So we are less vulnerable than at other times in the season."

No he didn't [surpass expectations] because we knew who we had signed. He had to go off in the Brighton game after 70 minutes with cramp but he almost did double the work 3 months ago when he also went off with cramp. His ability to score, his technique, speed, he has all this, so no-one is surprised to see it. But he has improved a lot how much he runs in the games and works. That is a big help for the team as well, so that is important for No.9 as well. In our talks, I have probably told him what I expect more defensively from him than offensively. I am more excited to see what he is doing defensively."

I think it is always helpful for a manager to work on the training pitch. If you bring in players in the window, Alex, for example September 1 but you can also influence players with video meetings but I would prefer more of these weeks because you can implement new things or point out what needs improving. Next week it is the same, so I have liked it and it is a mini pre-season for us."

Winning always gives ua good feelings and spirit, especially for a team who had so many changes in the summer. The table, the first 12/13 teams are so close. Man City are getting closer to Arsenal but they are quite a way from us. Other games we have been solid defensively and that is a good base, combine with the players getting more ready to compete at PL intensity as a group, so I think we can expect more from us in upcoming part of the season. But I assume everyone would expect that as well!"

It took us 92 mins to score away against Brentford, a Thomas Frank team last season. Spurs are mainly same players, Frank, a new manager, so you cannot compare last season with this for our games with Spurs. We added a lot and lost a lot of players too, so you cannot compare with us and the results.

"I felt [we're building momentum] earlier. I hope we all see this in the results, I see we are progressing. Too many times this season, I have played players who were fit but weren't ready for 90 minutes of PL intensity. You can ask yourselves if that is true. We missed out on players who had injuries during the season, now I see them progressing fitness-wise and I see that in their performances. We are making progress, definitely, because the players are fitter for the demands. That is a good base to start from.

I have seen so many moments in games where we played well but not enough for 90 minutes."

Gakpo, had a scan that looks promising, so we're not that worried anymore that we were a few weeks ago. He will come back early but not tomorrow or next week.

Gomez not in the squad.

Szoboszlai trained y'day, parts, so let's see how he is today. Frimpong back in the squad.

I said last week, actions speak louder than words. We moved on, he was in the squad and was first sub. Now he is at AFCON, big games for him and the country, so it is fair to them and us that all the focus is over there for him and no distractions for me saying anything about his time at Liverpool here. He is there, so it is fair for that country and him and us to talk about Spurs."

Both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur will be left without a number of players when they lock horns in the Premier League on Saturday

Arne Slot will find his options somewhat depleted when Liverpool travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. The Reds are set to welcome back Conor Bradley from suspension, after he served a one-match ban against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.

But having bemoaned having only 13 available senior outfield players for the clash with the Seagulls, Slot’s hand will be forced even more against Spurs despite Bradley’s return.

Joe Gomez and Dominik Szoboszlai both limped off against Brighton with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively, while the Reds will also be without Mohamed Salah after he departed for Africa Cup of Nations duty.

While Szoboszlai faces an outside chance of being fit for the trip to North London, Liverpool could find themselves without as many as seven senior players for Saturday’s game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

They are not the only side affected by enforced absences though, with Thomas Frank also facing up to the prospect of being without eight of his players for the game.

With Slot set to offer an injury update at his pre-match press conference at 9.45am on Friday morning, the ECHO takes a look at which players are currently at risk of missing the weekend’s match…

LIVERPOOL

Giovanni Leoni - ACL

The Italian suffered an ACL injury on his debut against Southampton back in September. Undergoing surgery, he has been ruled out for the season.

Jeremie Frimpong - Hamstring

Frimpong has been sidelined since the end of October after suffering his second hamstring injury of the season against Eintracht Frankfurt. The Netherlands international is closing in on a return though, with Slot recently confirming he is expected to soon return to team training.

As a result, if passed fit, he could return to the matchday squad against Tottenham. But for now, his possible involvement remains uncertain.

Cody Gakpo - Muscle

The forward suffered an unspecified muscular injury in Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United, with Slot confirming he was set to be missing for a number of weeks as a result.

Wataru Endo - Ankle

Like Gakpo, Endo has been missing since the Reds’ draw at Elland Road. Slot confirmed last week that the Japanese had suffered an ankle injury and would be sidelined for a number of weeks.

Joe Gomez - Hamstring

Forced off with a hamstring injury against Brighton, Slot has already confirmed that he expects Gomez to miss the trip to Tottenham. Reports suggest the injury is not too serious, but Liverpool will not wish to take any unnecessary risks with the defender, given his injury past.

Dominik Szoboszlai - Ankle

The Hungarian limped off with an ankle injury late on in Liverpool’s win over Brighton despite initially trying to play on. While the issue is not thought to be serious, a late decision will be made on whether or not he is passed fit to be involved against Tottenham.

Mohamed Salah - AFCON

Salah has now departed for Africa Cup of Nations duty ahead of Egypt’s opening game against Zimbabwe on Monday. He will definitely miss at least the Reds’ clashes with Spurs and Wolves, as well as possibly the visit of Leeds to Anfield on New Year’s Day even if the Pharaohs suffer a group-stage exit.

Should Egypt progress in the tournament, with the final taking place on January 18, Salah could miss up to a further five club matches with Liverpool travelling to Fulham and Arsenal before hosting Barnsley and Burnley, ahead of their penultimate Champions League league phase fixture away at Marseille on January 21.

Other

Slot also remains without the services of academy trio Stefan Bajcetic, Jayden Danns (both hamstring) and Kaide Gordon (meniscus) because of injury.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Dejan Kulusevski - Knee

The Swede has been absent since suffering a knee injury towards the end of last season. While Spurs hope he could return to action over the festive period, Saturday’s clash with Liverpool will likely come too soon.

Radu Dragusin - ACL

The Romanian is closing in on a return after injuring his ACL against Elfsborg back in January. He recently featured for Tottenham Under-21s in friendly clashes with Leyton Orient and Dagenham & Redbridge.

In the final stages of his rehab after stepping up his return, he is closing in on a comeback but may need more game-time before being considered for first team selection.

James Maddison - ACL

The England international injured his ACL last summer and is expected to be out for the season.

Kota Takai - Thigh

The summer signing is yet to play for Spurs having dealt with plantar fasciitis in his foot and a thigh injury since his £5m move from J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale.

However, he too featured in the Under-21s’ friendly clash with Dagenham & Redbridge as he steps up his return, though the clash with the Reds might come too soon for the 21-year-old.

Dominic Solanke - Ankle

The former Liverpool striker remains sidelined after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury and is yet to return to training.

Destiny Udogie - Hamstring

Udogie hasn’t featured for Spurs since their 2-2 draw away at Newcastle United at the start of the month after suffering a hamstring injury. Frank has confirmed the Italian won’t return until January.

Pape Matar Sarr - AFCON

Sarr has departed for Africa Cup of Nations duty and will represent Senegal in this year’s tournament.

Yves Bissouma - AFCON

The Mali international has also departed for Africa Cup of Nations duty, though he has not been selected by Frank this season regardless, and was recently suspended by Spurs for disciplinary reasons.

Our ECHO Jury have their say on the latest goings on at Anfield ahead of Saturday's trip to Tottenham Hotspur

Liverpool have enjoyed a relatively quiet week after back-to-back victories over Inter Milan and Brighton saw the Reds' season shift back towards the tracks, and Arne Slot will now have Tottenham Hotspur in his sights this weekend.

The Reds head to North London on a five-match unbeaten run and no doubt recalling last season's fine 6-3 victory over Spurs which cemented their position at the top of the table.

Liverpool remain a long way from such lofty heights now, but spirits are high among our Reds jury as they survey the scene ahead of another big weekend.

Here's what they think about the latest goings on at Anfield.

Rhys Buchanan

Have Liverpool turned a corner? After the season we’ve had with many false dawns, I think even the most optimistic of Liverpool fans will need a few more performances and results to truly believe the tide has turned.

With that being said you can’t not take enormous heart from our respective wins against Inter Milan and then Brighton last weekend. Not only have obvious names like Dominik Szoboszlai and Hugo Ekitike stepped up and delivered, I’ve been equally excited by the likes of Curtis Jones who had backed up his comments a few weeks ago with positive performances on the pitch.

Overall there seems to be a fluidity and flow about our play which is what seems to be a huge positive. I think the Reds have every reason to feel buoyed and confident heading into tomorrow’s clash against Spurs in what looks like a good time to play the North London side.

Yet in front of a home crowd with speculation about the manager’s future, they’re also a team needing results fast so it should be a gripping and fun encounter to watch.

Andrew Cullen

There is a bit more Christmas cheer in the air. A sturdy, gritty win against Inter, followed by a convincing win against Brighton has lifted spirits. The Salah tempest has settled, for now at least. It is still worrying though that the issue has been brushed under the carpet; it feels like a storm which could appear as quickly as it disappeared.

In a strange season with more failings than successes so far, there have been some small success stories. Szoboszlai continues to underline his leadership qualities, performing in an underperforming team.

Ekitike too has been a bright spark. Although he has been brought into a turbulent, changing, and chaotic front line, his quality hasn’t dimmed. He has a Torres-like quality to his play. The quandary for Slot is that Isak cannot be a luxury bench player.

But what can you do you when Ekitike continues to produce? Slot needs to be bold and lead with Ekitike as his star player. Competition for places should ignite the talent that we have, and once our talent ignites, we should start to see some stability and then success.

This season has felt like one step forward, 12 steps back. It would be uplifting if we could now get some momentum building, so we can salvage what has been a stuttering start to the season.

James Noble

Football, and its accompanying noise, changes quickly. That’s not exactly news, but hey. There are almost always broader patterns and trajectories, though, which can offer an overarching sense of direction.

Liverpool’s direction of travel this season has often appeared tough to read. It will, almost certainly, continue to fluctuate somewhat, but there’s now evidence of relatively sustained headway. Five unbeaten, featuring three wins and three clean sheets, is something for Arne Slot’s team to work from.

First and foremost, clearly, a collective effort. Yet, as ever, there are notable individual storylines weaved in.

Hugo Ekitike, rightly, took much of the acclaim at Anfield on Saturday, as his superbly taken double secured a valuable 2-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion and capped another rounded display from the 23-year-old. 10 goals in all competitions now, and so much encouragement.

Curtis Jones is another who has acted as a driving force, in and out of possession and on and off the pitch, while Miloš Kerkez continues to grow into the left-back role.

Dominik Szoboszlai has epitomised consistency, and Joe Gomez has stepped in classily recently– the concern around their respective injury issues reflects the level of their contributions, but the early indications appear quietly encouraging.

While seemingly ongoing, the situation around Mohamed Salah developed promisingly prior to his AFCON departure, too. Hopefully, that broader upward trajectory can continue at Tottenham on Saturday evening.

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.

Latest on Dominik Szoboszlai's hopes of being declared fit for Saturday's trip to Tottenham Hotspur

Dominik Szoboszlai is facing a race against time to be declared fit for Liverpool's trip to Tottenham Hotspur.

And a decision will now likely be taken on Friday ahead of the trip to North London the following day as Arne Slot's men look to make it six unbeaten in all competitions.

Szoboszlai has been one of the standout players of a difficult campaign so far for Slot's Premier League champions and has started all 16 fixtures of the Reds' league term, filling in as a right-sided full-back on occasion due to injuries and suspension to the likes of Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley and most recently Joe Gomez.

However the Hungary captain picked up an ankle injury during Saturday's 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion and was withdrawn in the second period for Federico Chiesa. Prior to that late substitution at Anfield, Szoboszlai had played every minute for Slot in the league.

A decision is now expected to be taken over his inclusion for the travelling squad on Friday, with Slot set to speak to the media to preview the game from 9.45am at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby.

A fit Szoboszlai would be a significant boost for Slot given the form of the former RB Leipzig midfielder. The 2023 signing has arguably been the Reds' most consistent performer and the hope is that he will be able to declare himself ready for the trip to face Thomas Frank's side in the capital.

Joe Gomez is expected to miss the game after suffering what was feared to be a hamstring issue in the first half of Saturday's victory over Brighton but Conor Bradley is once more available for selection after serving a one-match ban against the Seagulls.

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been tipped as the ideal candidate to take over at one major Premier League rival

Jurgen Klopp has been touted for an unexpected Premier League comeback, with Tottenham Hotspur being encouraged to appoint the ex-Liverpool manager. The rallying call was made by the club's former chairman, Lord Alan Sugar.

Klopp has been away from management since departing Anfield at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, following nearly nine years at the helm of Liverpool. He has since taken on a position as Red Bull's head of global football, though rumours of a return to the touchline continue to circulate.

Most recently his name has been mentioned in connection with the Real Madrid vacancy as Xabi Alonso faces mounting pressure following a difficult spell at the Bernabeu, but now a surprising return to England has been mooted.

Lord Sugar called on the Reds' next opponent, Spurs, to pursue Klopp as their next manager, with current head coach Thomas Frank coming under increasing scrutiny after an inconsistent start to the campaign.

The north Londoners are languishing in 11th place in the Premier League following a 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Sunday - their sixth league loss of the season so far, fuelling questions about Frank's position.

Writing on X after the match, Lord Sugar proposed that the club should make a determined effort to bring in Klopp as the Dane's successor.

"With the massive fortune of the Lewis family it would be a win-win situation if they hired Jurgen Klopp in January," the star of The Apprentice said.

"Loads of money for players and a great manager. Who agrees?"

However, Klopp himself appears to be amongst those who wouldn't be in agreement. The 58 year old has displayed minimal appetite for returning to management, though he hasn't entirely dismissed the possibility.

What he has categorically rejected, however, is any chance of managing another Premier League club besides Liverpool.

"If you ask me, 'Will you ever work as a manager again?' I would say now no," Klopp remarked following his announcement to depart the Reds.

"But I don't know obviously how that will feel because I never had the situation. What I know definitely – I will never, ever manage a different club in England than Liverpool, 100 per cent. That's not possible. My love for this club, my respect for the people is too big. I couldn't.

"I couldn't for a second think about it. There's no chance. This is part of my life, we are part of the family, we feel home here. There's no chance to do that. But all the rest, will I ever work again? Of course, I know myself, I cannot just sit around."

For the latest news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter @‌LivEchoLFC - the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account - for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.

We're also on Facebook/LiverpoolEchoLFC - your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.

Listen to our podcasts by searching for 'Blood Red' wherever you get your podcasts.