Liverpool Echo

“After today’s game we will have only eight league matches left to play, which serves to underline that we are now entering the home straight.

“While some of our objectives might have changed since the start of the season, the basic requirement of finishing as high as we can in the league table remains.

“The key to this, of course, is to win as many games as possible and then we will see where it takes us. There is no point dwelling on what might have been or getting drawn into what might have been different, our total focus has to be on reaching the finishing line as strongly as possible.

“Going into this weekend we are sixth in the table, which is not where we want to be and also not where we want to end up. The aim has to be to go higher so that we can push ourselves into the Champions League qualification places and hopefully stay there.

“That particular race is going to be highly contested – as it should be – with a number of teams having the same aim going into the final months. Again, our focus should not be on what they are doing. It should only be on what we are doing. After all, it is our results and performances that will dictate our outcome.

“Today, this means taking on a Tottenham team which has its own reasons for needing a strong finish to the campaign. For someone like me who always followed English football from a distance before coming to this country, it is strange seeing them in their current situation and this is one of the reasons why I do not expect it to last.

“At the same time, their circumstances mean they will arrive at Anfield not just as a wounded animal, but also as a team which knows it has to scrap for survival and which has a point to prove. This makes them a dangerous opponent regardless of recent results or league position and we will treat them as such.

“We also know that we need a response of our own having narrowly lost our last game away to Galatasaray. While we have the opportunity to overturn that result at Anfield on Wednesday night, the best way to go into the second leg would definitely be on the back of a positive result against Tottenham.

I regretted my transfer to Liverpool - but very nearly died while at Tottenham

Liverpool and Tottenham face off in the Premier League this weekend, with several players having turned out for both clubs in the past

This weekend sees Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur face off in the Premier League, with plenty of players counting both teams on their CVs. For Christian Ziege, though, there are difficult memories from his spells at the two clubs.

Ziege, a Germany international, joined Liverpool in 2000 after first moving to English football with Middlesbrough. However, the versatile former Bayern Munich star - who could play at left-back or in midfield - endured a challenging spell at Anfield and left after just one year.

He had a more settled time at Spurs, scoring five league goals in his first season at White Hart Lane. He was clear in his belief that moving to Liverpool was a mistake, but faced a scary moment in 2002, which nearly cost him his life.

Ziege joined a Liverpool team that had narrowly missed out on Champions League football under Gerard Houllier in 2000. They would go on to win a famous cup Treble the following season, but the German was left frustrated, starting just 11 league games and 20 in all competitions.

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"I didn't play enough and still don't know why," Ziege told The Mail in 2019. "I scored a penalty in the shootout to win the League Cup but then didn't play in the FA or UEFA Cup finals.

"Gerard Houllier had a problem that he never bothered to explain. It made me think, 'If I'm a coach, I'll always tell my players the truth.'"

Ziege would eventually move into coaching, working with Borussia Monchengladbach and Germany in their youth set-ups. He held a number of other jobs in Germany, Austria, Spain and Thailand before returning to work with Gladbach's Under-17 side earlier this year.

That lengthy coaching career was no guarantee, though. During his second season as a Tottenham player, he suffered a freak injury on Boxing Day in 2002, which could have killed him.

"I had a dead leg, no big deal. But my thigh was swelling and swelling," he said. "I learned later that the blood was trapped between two skins, it had nowhere to go.

"I did not want to go to hospital, not at Christmas, but my wife insisted. Thank God she did. By the time we arrived I was unconscious. There was pressure on everything inside my body, I was fighting for my life.

"They opened the leg and it went down like a balloon. But it left a big hole, something went completely wrong. I still suffer now, but I am also lucky. Another 30 minutes and they would have cut off my leg to save me. In this moment, you realise that life is so much more than just a football game."

At the time, Spurs manager Glenn Hoddle put everything into perspective as he prepared to be without his player for several months. "It's a big blow football-wise, but I'm not concerned about that," Hoddle said.

"First and foremost, it's his health that's more important. That will always come first in front of football. I would think it would be very difficult for him to return before the end of the season but the major thing is that he's okay."

Liverpool will be looking to earn three points toward their top four crusade today when they face struggling Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield

Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday at Anfield with the two clubs also potentially set to meet on the transfer front. Arne Slot will be aiming for a return to form for his team after they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League round of 16 first leg on Tuesday.

Points are crucial for both sides: embattled Spurs manager Igor Tudor is yet to claim victory since arriving at the club, with the Lilywhites facing a relegation battle, whilst the Reds are seeking to secure a top-four finish this season.

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A subplot could also be developing between the two regarding the transfer of a Liverpool icon, with discussions potentially taking place when they meet on Merseyside. Meanwhile, the Reds have been linked with a summer move for an international star.

Transfer talks

Spurs are reportedly still keen to sign Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson. The Scottish star reportedly rejected the opportunity to swap Anfield for north London in January but discussions could be reopened on Sunday with the two clubs facing each other at Anfield.

Should Spurs retain their Premier League status this season, speculation suggests they are optimistic about being able to persuade the defensive veteran to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer. There's no doubt representatives from both sides will be at the match on Sunday where conditions of a transfer could be negotiated.

The 31-year-old Robertson is nearing the end of his contract with the Reds but he could stay on Merseyside if he agrees to another supporting role under Arne Slot next season. The left-back, a two-time Premier League champion and Champions League winner, would undoubtedly be a desirable addition for Spurs given his extensive experience winning the sport's most prestigious trophies.

Following Liverpool's 3-1 win over Wolves in the FA Cup earlier this month, Robertson spoke about his future. He said: "There was obviously interest there - there were discussions had with both sets of clubs. But the decision was that I wanted to stay. We stayed at Liverpool and that was the decision made."

He concluded: "When a decision is made, and we're getting to the point where I only have three months left on my contract, it will be announced to you guys."

Reds eye £43m option

Spanish outlet Marca reports that Real Madrid might be inclined to sell Eduardo Camavinga for around £43million this summer.

Camavinga has been with Madrid since 2021, having transferred from Rennes. He is contracted to the Bernabeu until 2029, but a proposed squad overhaul in the Spanish capital this summer could result in the French star's departure.

Liverpool have been associated with Camavinga for a whilst. The 23-year-old was reportedly closely monitored by the club's recruitment team during his breakthrough at Stade Rennais between 2019 and 2021.

Camavinga operates as a holding midfielder but is equally capable at left-back and on the wing, making his adaptability a significant draw for the Reds. Liverpool may be seeking midfield additions this summer with uncertainty surrounding the futures of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo.

Liverpool line-ups vs Tottenham as Alexis Mac Allister dropped and Rio Ngumoha decision made

Our writers have picked their starting XIs for Liverpool's Premier League clash at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon

Arne Slot will be hoping that Liverpool can put their recent results in the Premier League and Champions League behind them when they face Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday.

The Reds currently sit outside the Champions League qualification places but they have the perfect opportunity to move level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea and up the pressure on fourth-placed Aston Villa and third-placed Manchester United, who face each other at Old Trafford earlier in the afternoon.

Injury-hit Tottenham are in crisis, having lost their last six matches in all competitions and having not won in the Premier League since December 28.

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So what team does Liverpool head coach Slot pick against Igor Tudor's struggling team? Our writers have their say...

Paul Gorst

Let's start with the now age-old debate at right-back, shall we? Jeremie Frimpong is vying for a recall and Joe Gomez will be looking to keep his place after a rare start on Tuesday night in Istanbul.

Since Liverpool will likely see more of the ball on Sunday, Frimpong's electric pace might be needed to help break down this Spurs side, which we can now refer to, without irony, as 'relegation-threatened'. Yikes.

Milos Kerkez keeps his place and if Alisson Becker is fit to play, he starts over Giorgi Mamardashvili, even though the Georgia international did little wrong against Galatasaray on Tuesday night.

In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister drops out and Curtis Jones comes in. Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch also complete the midfield, meaning Florian Wirtz once more starts on the left of the attack. Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha can wait in reserve, as tempted as I was to start the teenage winger.

Mohamed Salah is stationed on the right side and Hugo Ekitike leads the line.

Liverpool must take full advantage of this game against a Tottenham side currently at its lowest ebb.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Ekitike, Wirtz.

Ian Doyle

Liverpool made hard work of seeing off a nine-man Tottenham Hotspur with a two-goal start before Christmas, so anybody expecting a 5-0 home win has probably not watched any football in the last nine months.

This is going to be an absolute slog of a game despite Tottenham seemingly having to play their third string on Sunday. What, then, is Reds boss Arne Slot to do?

Slap bang in the middle of the two Champions League legs against Galatasaray, there are going to be changes.

Not in goal, though. That should remain Giorgi Mamardashvili who did pretty well in Istanbul, so there's no need to rush back Alisson Becker. However, Joe Gomez can move to centre-back alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk, Jeremie Frimpong is the right-back and Andy Robertson left-back.

In midfield, Curtis Jones can join Ryan Gravenberch at the base with Florian Wirtz switched to the number 10 role.

That means Dominik Szoboszlai can go on the right of the attack with teenager Rio Ngumoha making his first Premier League start on the left and Cody Gakpo moved up front. A lot of players can therefore be fresh for Wednesday.

My team (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Gakpo.

Richard Garnett

Arne Slot appeared to pick a risk-averse line-up in Istanbul against Galatasaray, although you would never have guessed that given how they played on the night. There is less need to approach the match against Spurs like this, however, so I'm expecting a more positive approach on paper.

I fear that Alisson Becker may miss out on this match, and if he does, Giorgi Mamardashvili will retain his place. Joe Gomez has a lovely long throw, it turns out, but Jeremie Frimpong is about five times faster and more exciting, so he returns to provide some much-needed width at right-back.

The Dutchman can play alongside Ibrahima Konate (who can never be dropped due to a lack of viable options), Virgil van Dijk and the returning Milos Kerkez.

Recently, Liverpool's midfield has looked like it couldn't fight its way out of a wet paper bag, so I am unconvincingly making a tweak. Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai can protect the back four, with Florian Wirtz pulling the strings in front of them.

Mohamed Salah continues to retain his place thanks to little pressure to dislodge him, but fortune favours the brave and now is the time to hand Rio Ngumoha his Premier League debut, with Hugo Ekitike leading the line.

Liverpool need a win against struggling Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday to boost hopes of finishing in the Champions League spots, but they've been here before

It was a game which had so much riding on it that Rafael Benitez would break with tradition.

The Liverpool boss, usually so stubborn and stoic in front of the press, shocked members of the media when he was faced with the question of whether or not a January 2010 meeting with a Tottenham Hotspur side four points ahead of them in table - and at a time when both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, as well as an in-form Yossi Benayoun, were injured - was a 'make or break' moment for his side's season and ambitions of finishing in the top four.

"Yes," was the extremely matter of fact, nonchalant reply. "There's a big difference between being one point behind and seven points behind. It's an important game for us.

"If Tottenham win, it will give them a buzz and a lift and they will have confidence, but if we can beat them, then we'll be in a good position. And when a team is fighting from behind it gives you more confidence."

Those comments, coming at a time when the pitch battle between Benitez and owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett was at its height, lit the red touch paper, and flags and banners in support of the manager were out in force for the arrival of the team coach before such a thing was commonplace at Anfield.

One of the great Premier League nights in L4 would unfold, as a vociferous home crowd played their part and left Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp in awe.

Attacking the Kop end in the first half, it would take the Reds just six minutes to establish an advantage.

In the absence of Gerrard and Torres, it was Alberto Aquilani and Dirk Kuyt who were asked to provide the attacking thrust, and after the Italian - on a rare positive night in his Anfield career - was challenged on the edge the box the ball broke to Kuyt to fire home a controlled finish and set Anfield alight.

It was a moment the crowd had been baying for, and Kuyt almost added a second with a header that was cleared off the line by Gareth Bale, before Luka Modric saw his effort saved by Pepe Reina. As those names suggest, this was quite the Spurs side.

It wasn't a classic Liverpool XI, as evidenced by Albert Riera and Philipp Degen both missing chances to double the lead, with the former hitting the bar.

As the Anfield noise turned to nerves, Jermain Defoe would have a goal disallowed and Jermaine Jenas brought another excellent stop from Reina, before Kuyt missed a glorious chance to seal the win late on. No matter.

Substitute David Ngog brought his own brand of busy but limited action to proceedings, and when he was chopped down by Sebastien Bassong in the box it fell to Kuyt to bring the night to successful conclusion with one kick.

He ended up having two, with his first successful penalty past Heurelho Gomes ruled out by Howard Webb for encroachment. The second was just as emphatically dispatched, and was greeted with the loudest roar of the evening.

“You have to give credit where it’s due, Liverpool worked their socks off," said an impressed Redknapp after the game.

"They closed us down and pressed us. I have said before you never get an easy game here.

"You stand out there and hear the crowd sing - it's the most amazing sight in football, and it lifts the players. I said to my players 'Don't think they are going to come out here and give a half-hearted performance because they have got some good players missing.

"Their players responded to the crowd and deserved the win in fairness. Dirk Kuyt never stopped working and chasing, the whole team played with great enthusiasm."

A night that started with Benitez's words hanging over it ended with the crowd singing his name.

Liverpool have had plenty more celebrated occasions in the 16 years that followed this raucous January evening, but this one was special.

The ECHO spoke to football.london Tottenham Hotspur reporter Alasdair Gold ahead of the crisis club's visit to Anfield to take on Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday

Liverpool face a Tottenham side on Sunday afternoon that could hardly have imagined they would find themselves in the position they are now when they won the Europa League against Manchester United last May.

Despite ending their 17-year wait for silverware under Ange Postecoglou, a 17th-place finish in the Premier League meant the European triumph was not enough to save the Australian manager's job. He was replaced by former Brentford boss Thomas Frank, but after a dismal run of results and little to no apparent progress, the German was replaced by Igor Tudor.

However, the Croatian could not have got off to a worse possible start, presiding over four straight defeats that have left Spurs, perilously over the relegation zone.

Their plight makes Liverpool overwhelming favourites when the two sides meet at Anfield on Mother's Day. And to find out exactly what has been going on in north London, the ECHO caught up with football.london Tottenham reporter Alasdair Gold, to get his verdict from the other side of the fence.

Tottenham appear to be free-falling in the Premier League. How has this been allowed to happen?

Poor decisions at every level, in terms of managers sacked and appointed, a January transfer window that didn't respond to the problems in the squad, a horrendous injury list that is rarely out of double figures - it will be 12 missing for Liverpool - and a group of players who are yet to realise - or maybe care - just how much danger the club is in.Igor Tudor didn't even get a honeymoon period in charge and should he suffer a defeat at Anfield, will have presided over five straight losses since taking the job. How much of this is his fault, and is there any hope amongst fans at all that he can keep his job and get on top of the situation?

There's been no bounce nor improvement with Tudor. He's been an instant football firefighter at each of his previous five clubs and brought immediate change, but the problems at Tottenham are just too big and deeply rooted. His usual right-hand man, Ivan Javorcic, has been unable to join him as of yet due to work permit problems and that's limited him as well. The club will be panicking about relegation, the players don't appear impressed by the Croatian and that could cost Tudor his job.It seems unimaginable that Spurs could get relegated, but are fans really now thinking that way and if they did go down, what would be the knock-on effect?

Many fans believe they will go down. They haven't won a Premier League match yet in 2026, so there's no momentum there. Relegation would be huge for the club. They would have to sell most of the best players, they'd lose out on around £250million financially, and cuts would have to be made internally, meaning likely redundancies across staff who work in and around the club.The last time Spurs came to Anfield, Liverpool clinched the title. Things haven't gone so well since then for the Reds and teams low down the Premier League have picked up points here this season. Does that give you any confidence that Spurs could pull off an unlikely result?

Not particularly, purely because of the huge list of players Spurs have missing. Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha managed to add themselves to it through concussion by competing for the same ball late on in the defeat at Atletico Madrid and clashing heads on Tuesday night.

That means young midfielder Archie Gray may have to step into central defence at a time when there are barely any midfield options. Tottenham are also lacking in creativity, so no, positivity isn't exactly rampant at Spurs right now.Amid all of Spurs' current problems, who should Liverpool be looking out for as the current danger men?

Dominic Solanke has scored in each of his three past Champions League matches and netted in his last Premier League outing, so he can cause problems, while Richarlison is Tottenham's top scorer this season and enjoys facing Liverpool.

Pedro Porro can cause problems with his delivery, while Xavi Simons, who has been marginalised under Tudor, can create something out of nothing if he's allowed to play.Similarly, who worries you most in the Liverpool team?

Pretty much all of the front line, but I'll always go into midfield to Dominik Szoboszlai, because he's just a terrific player. He's been a nightmare for Tottenham every time they have taken on Liverpool and he's just got so much quality.Finally, what is your prediction for not only this game, but the eventual outcome of this season for both Liverpool and Spurs?

I think Liverpool will win this comfortably against a makeshift Spurs side with various players out of position. I reckon 3-1 to the home side. At the end of the campaign, I think Liverpool will sneak into the top four, while I hope Tottenham sneak away from the very real threat of relegation.

Liverpool will host Tottenham this weekend with Arne Slot's side in dire need of points as they chase a spot in the top four

Liverpool will host Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday, with both sides desperately requiring points at opposite ends of the table. Whilst the Reds are aiming to recover from their midweek Champions League loss to Galatasaray, Spurs are fighting to avoid relegation.

The Lilywhites are dangerously near the drop zone following a terrible sequence of results under new manager Igor Tudor and are grappling with a significant injury crisis. A Liverpool victory, combined with favourable results for West Ham and Nottingham Forest, will only plunge Tudor's team further into trouble.

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Arne Slot has not experienced a straightforward campaign with Liverpool. Lacking consistency, the Reds now face a significant challenge to secure a top-four finish. Here, the ECHO examines what seven of the sport's leading pundits have forecast ahead of this weekend's encounter between the two clubs.

Paul Merson - 3-0

Former Arsenal star Merson anticipates Liverpool will defeat Spurs 3-0 and the outcome will see Tudor lose his job. He said: "It's just a matter of by how many goals Liverpool can win. How long is Igor Tudor going to be around? My question is who wants the Spurs job at the moment?

"Tottenham will wait it out. They will get the Liverpool game out of the way before making a decision on Tudor. No one expects Spurs to win this game.

"If Tottenham lose at Anfield, I will be shocked if Tudor is still in charge of the team for next weekend's massive relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest. I'm expecting Arne Slot to go with his best team for this game. I expect Liverpool to turn it around against Galatasaray in the second leg next week."

Chris Sutton - 2-0

Former Blackburn Rovers striker Sutton believes that Liverpool, despite facing their own challenges, will prove too strong for Spurs and emerge as comfortable winners.

The former Premier League champion said: "There just seems to be so many things wrong at Spurs. They sacked Thomas Frank, thinking they were going to get this short-term fix from Tudor, but they have got a guy who has had a short-term shocker.

"Liverpool are far from convincing either, mind you. It's not impossible that Spurs scramble a win here because Arne Slot's side were lousy in Turkey on Tuesday. Slot has got the second leg against Galatasaray to think about, and they will make changes, but they surely can't lose to Tottenham, can they? Prediction: 2-0."

Wayne Rooney - 6-0

Manchester United legend Rooney reckons the Reds will demolish Spurs. Speaking on the most recent episode of the Stick To Football podcast, the former England captain suggested Slot's squad could dominate at Anfield and notch up a substantial scoreline, whilst predicting the north London outfit will suffer relegation.

"I think six," Rooney said. "The players need to take a hard look at themselves because I think they've been an absolute disgrace. The performances, the attitude, the lack of desire, the lack of fight and there's a lack of everything in them. After witnessing what's transpired in the last few matches, I believe they will be relegated."

Jamie Carragher - Liverpool win

Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Liverpool defender suggested that the prospect of facing Spurs amidst their current difficulties would be a delight for his old team. The ex-centre-back believes that Slot's team will secure a substantial win.

"Liverpool will be thrilled to play a Spurs team in turmoil, and should secure a resounding victory," he said. Last month, Carragher also proposed that the mere notion of Spurs being relegated would constitute one of the Premier League's most astonishing shocks ever.

"It is often claimed that a club is too big, or even too talented, to be relegated. No one is making that assertion about Tottenham Hotspur," the former Liverpool defender wrote in The Telegraph.

"If they descend into the Championship, it would represent the most shocking downfall of the Premier League era, and the most humiliating for a club of such wealth and prestige since Denis Law's back-heel for Manchester City relegated Manchester United into the old Second Division in 1974."

Gary Neville - 5-1

Ex-United captain Neville predicted a 5-1 home victory for the Reds. However, he ultimately expressed confidence that Spurs would avoid relegation.

"I don't think they will go down," he said on Stick to Football. "I think if you're going to make another change [of manager] that, for me, probably needs to be today or tomorrow because you don't wait. My view is they will make a change and stay up just. That's what I think will happen."

Alan Shearer - Liverpool win

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer predicted a comfortable victory for the Anfield side. Speaking to Betfair, he said: "I have no confidence whatsoever in Spurs, so Liverpool home win. It could be messy. Anything could happen at Anfield, if Liverpool score early, then Spurs could capitulate.

"The size of the game for Tottenham, I know Liverpool have got a huge game against Galatasaray which they have to get through and win, but the magnitude of this for Tottenham is incredible. I have no belief or confidence that they'll go there and win. Liverpool win".

Tim Sherwood - draw

Speaking to NewBettingOffers, the former Spurs caretaker manager suggested Spurs could secure a point, or perhaps more, at Anfield if they remain disciplined and defend effectively.

He said: "Liverpool haven't been great, but Anfield is never an easy ground for Tottenham. It's historically a disastrous ground for them, even in their best periods.

"They need to go there, try to frustrate the home crowd, who need points for their own Champions League aspirations, and be well organized with a counter-attacking threat.

"Hopefully, they can nick something, maybe from a set piece or a quick counter-attack, and then they have something to hold onto, forcing them to really fight, dig in, and defend their box, as all teams at the bottom of the table must do."

Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has been talking ahead of the Premier League clash at home to Tottenham Hotspur

Dominik Szoboszlai admits he was left "pretty angry" by the manner in which Liverpool let themselves down in the Champions League in midweek.

The Reds delivered an underwhelming display when losing 1-0 against Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday evening in their round of 16 first leg.

The teams meet again at Anfield next Wednesday, with Arne Slot's side first having to negotiate a Premier League clash at home to strugglers Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.

And Szoboszlai is eager to make amends for the disappointment in Turkey and help Liverpool keep alive hopes of a seventh European crown.

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"I was pretty angry after the game because of the result but not only about that," said the Hungary international. "Because I feel that we didn't play in a way like we should and we can.

"Because we showed it so many times that we are able to win against any team actually or compete against any team in the league or in European football.

"We have to really focus on the upcoming games because now it's Tottenham on Sunday and next week on Wednesday is going to be a big game – I can't wait for it."

Liverpool are currently in sixth place in the Premier League and outside the top four automatic Champions League qualification places, although it remains likely that fifth spot will be sufficient to secure a berth.

Tottenham go into Sunday's match just a point above the relegation zone, while missing a host of players and recovering from a dismal 5-2 Champions League loss at Atletico Madrid in midweek.

And Szoboszlai said: "To be honest, I'm not thinking about them. I'm thinking about us because also we have some things to fight for. We want to play next year in the Champions League, so there is a spot to go for.

"But first of all, we have to focus on ourselves and do the right stuff, do the right things and then everything is going to be alright."

Joe Gomez admitted Liverpool were affected by the noise in Galatasaray's Rams Park on Tuesday, but Szoboszlai is confident the Anfield crowd can step up over the next few days.

"It's a huge difference," the midfielder said to liverpoolfc.com. "We need them on Sunday, for sure, Everybody who is able to come should come.

"I think that's never a problem but also we need them as loud as they can be, especially next week on Wednesday.

"We felt in Istanbul how it is to play in such a loud stadium with such great fans, but I think we can show the same at home. We're going to need each of them."

Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this weekend and will have several players on the sidelines with injuries

Both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur will have players on the sidelines when they meet in the Premier League this weekend. The Reds will host Spurs at Anfield on Sunday as they look to return to winning ways.

Liverpool were beaten 1-0 by Galatasaray in the Champions League in their last match, and also lost to Wolves in their previous Premier League match.

Arne Slot’s side go into the game in sixth place in the Premier League table and could find themselves even further behind in the race for a top four finish by the time kick-off arrives on Sunday afternoon at Anfield.

Liverpool have been forced to deal with several injury concerns throughout the season, and that will continue when they face Spurs this weekend.

Alisson Becker remains a doubt for Liverpool after missing the defeat to Galatasaray in midweek with a muscle injury, but Slot explained that he hopes to have the goalkeeper back in training ahead of the match.

"He [Alisson] has been with the physios and rehab until now and we are training today, so let's see if he can join today [Friday], that is something I expect but not 100% sure yet,” Slot said. “I've not spoken to him. I'm hopeful."

Federico Chiesa could also return for Liverpool after the Italy international missed the midweek trip to Turkey through illness.

"I expect he [Chiesa] feels better now, because he felt unwell the day before the game and we are now three or four days further ahead, so I think he's able to train with us today again,” Slot said.

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Liverpool are expected to be without Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni for the remainder of the season, while Alexander Isak is continuing to work on his recovery after suffered a fractured fibula and an ankle injury in December.

For Tottenham, they have a lengthy injury list as they prepare to face Liverpool.

Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha will both miss the match as they enter the concussion protocols after a collision during Tottenham’s 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in midweek.

Micky van de Ven is sidelined with a suspension, while there are also doubts over the availability of Yves Bissouma and January signing Conor Gallagher.

"Micky [Van de Ven] is out,” Spurs boss Igor Tudor said. “[Yves] Bissouma has a problem and Conor [Gallagher] has a fever but we hope he will be ok. Always something happen. Very rare and I've never seen this in my career."

Tottenham will also be without James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert, Destiny Udogie, Ben Davies and Lucas Bergvall who are all on the sidelines with their respective injuries.

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If Tottenham Hotspur were hoping for good news on the injury front for Sunday's Premier League trip to defending champions Liverpool, then they haven't got it

Crisis-club Tottenham Hotspur will head to Anfield on Sunday to take on defending champions Liverpool in the Premier League with potentially up to 13 first-team players missing.

Attackers Wilson Odobert, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski andMohammed Kudus were already sidelined along with midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur andLucas Bergvall and defenders Ben Davies and Destiny Udogie.

Another defender, Micky van de Ven, will also miss the match. He is suspended after being sent off in the 3-1 home loss to Crystal Palace, which left Tottenham just one point above the Premier League relegation places and in very real danger of going down for the first time since the English top flight was rebranded in 1992.

And to make matters worse, captain and centre-back Cristian Romero and midfielder Joao Palhinha are also out after they clashed heads toward the end of the 5-2 Champions League loss at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

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Under-fire Spurs boss Igor Tudor confirmed at his press conference today (Friday) that the key pair, who are undergoing concussion protocols, would not be able to face Liverpool.

But it does not end there. Yves Bissouma is also rated as doubtful and while fellow midfielder Conor Gallagher is expected to play, he has been feeling unwell.

"No, no, no, they (Romero and Palhinha) are out," Tudor said. "Micky is also out, Bissouma is out, for the muscles. Conor has some fever but probably will be in.

"So, we have again a lot of problems to make first 11. This is how it is in this club. This happen all the time. We start to build something, then happens something, or a red card, or last game, or three or four injuries.

"This is very rare that happens in my career. I never see these situations. Every game, missing two players. The next game and a red card. It's very rare, very unusual, but we need to accept this. And try to change the things you can change. On these things you cannot do nothing."

Tottenham have lost their last six matches in all competitions including the first four of Tudor's reign.

With calls for the Croatian to be sacked already, he said: "Tough, for sure. Not just because of last game, but because of the period and the past.

"Not easy situation, not an easy moment and from other side a big challenge to change things. Like everything in life, you can choose how to see the situation.

"So, you can stay and cry or you can fight. You can be the victim or you can say I can change something. This is the message I want to start and what I told to the players.

"Everyone speaking, everyone has opinions and the life is always how you see it. The bottle is always half empty or half full. Here there is nothing full, there is a lot of empty things but difficult moments don’t last forever.

"It will pass and I believe the players who will take this as a challenge, as an opportunity will stand up with the courage to change things, after this period they will become better people and better players.

"So, in tough moments it’s always about that, it’s always about us. In the last period, a lot of things about what is the club, the problems, no-one can do nothing and this like victim-ism, like we were victims.

"I said this morning to the players totally opposition things. We are the team and we are the staff.

"It’s all about us. All the bulls***, all the other things are bullsh*** and sorry to use this word, but it’s on us."