Liverpool Echo

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The pundits have been making their predictions ahead of tonight's Premier League clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool

Liverpool will look to stretch their unbeaten run in all competitions to six matches when they head to Tottenham Hotspur tonight (5.30pm). The defending Premier League champions are picking up form after a dreadful run.

That run has made their hopes of retaining the championship incredibly difficult indeed but all is not lost and, as well as a Champions League and a FA Cup to go for, victory in north London this evening would lift Liverpool up to fifth at least.

That would further ease the outside pressure on Arne Slot, who after leading the Reds to a glorious title triumph in his debut campaign in charge, has endured a challenging second season at the helm.

That said, it is opposite number, Thomas Frank, who is under more scrutiny going into the match after last weekend's miserable 3-0 loss at Nottingham Forest made it four defeats in seven games.

So how do the pundits see it going? We've taken a look.

Chris Sutton

Writing in his BBC Sport column, the 1995 Premier League winner with Blackburn Rovers said: "It is normally a good game when these two sides meet but, going into it this time, I suppose both sets of supporters are unsure how their team will perform.

"At Tottenham, poor Thomas Frank is having a tough time of it. He was so furious after their defeat at Nottingham Forest that he said it feels like there is a hurricane inside him. I can understand why he is so angry, because Spurs were so limp and offered so little in that game.

"If you look at where they are in the table, 11th, then they are doing all right but it is their performances that are lacking something. They have never really found any fluency under Frank.

"They did win their past two home games and Frank can cling on to that but, the way Spurs fans are, they are probably thinking: 'It was only against Brentford and Slavia Prague.' Winning this game would be far more of a statement.

"Even though Mohamed Salah has left for Afcon, there are still questions over Liverpool too. Brighton had their moments last week and it was not entirely comfortable for Arne Slot's side, although I thought Hugo Ekitike was excellent.

"I certainly don't trust Spurs to turn up, but I don't think you can fully trust Liverpool again either, especially away from home in the Premier League. Because of all of that, I can't back either of them to win it."

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Liverpool 1

Paul Merson

Writing in his SportsKeeda column, the two-time title winner with Arsenal said: "Tottenham were atrocious last week against Nottingham Forest. If you take away the games against Brentford and Slavia Prague, Spurs have struggled so bad in recent weeks.

"I said to you before, the day Thomas Frank came out and called Tottenham fans out for not being real supporters, I thought he was done at the club! Spurs are 11th in the league now. If Newcastle draw, Bournemouth and Brentford win like I've predicted, Tottenham could be 14th or 15th by the end of the weekend, which is not good enough.

"Hugo Ekitike has to start ahead of Alexander Isak in this game. When we look at Isak's struggles, it just reminds us how important it is to have a proper pre-season. Liverpool could be in the top four or top five if they win, so they should play Ekitike.

"Who comes in for Salah on the right? There is the option of using Federico Chiesa and he deserves more minutes. But I just feel like Dominik Szoboszlai might play there in this game. His best position is in midfield, but Slot may use him there and deploy Curtis Jones in midfield.

"Liverpool have not set the world alight with their performances but they are unbeaten in their last five games with three wins. I can see them beating Tottenham comfortably."

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Liverpool

Alan Shearer

The legendary striker, who won the title alongside strike-partner Sutton 30 years ago, told Betfair: "It's a tough one to call. After what happened to Spurs last week, and Liverpool have got a couple of results. I'm going to go draw. I'm going to go sit on the fence. I think that won't be great for either side, but it wouldn't be a disaster coming out with a point apiece. So, I'm going to go draw.

"Salah came on last week and did really well. I guess he had an hour last week and I thought his performance was excellent. He brought an energy, still looked as if he was strong and fit and did really well. He should have scored though missing a big chance.

"I think they'll miss that. They haven't got him to do that if that happens again this week, particularly with the injuries Liverpool have got. So yeah, without doubt, even with all the noise that was around him, there's no doubt that they'll miss him as an option.

"I would still have Liverpool getting into the top four, despite what I've seen all season. I still think they've got enough to make a push, and they might even sign one or two in January. So, for me, it would still be Liverpool getting in the top four."

Our Liverpool writers select their line-ups for tonight's Premier League showdown at Tottenham Hotspur

It was a Christmas cracker when Liverpool visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this time last year. And the Reds will be looking for more of the same as they aim to keep their improved form going this evening.

Rewind 12 months ago and Arne Slot's ran out emphatic 6-3 winners in north London to move four points clear at the top on their way to winning the Premier League.

Fast-forward to the present day and any thoughts of defending their crown have been effectively banished by a dreadful run of six defeats in seven league games. However, since then, the title holders have started to show promising signs.

So can they add to Tottenham's woes today? And who should Reds boss Slot select? Our writers have their say...

Paul Gorst

A sixth unbeaten game will be further evidence that Liverpool are over the worst and a trip to a Tottenham Hotspur who are at a low ebb means Arne Slot's players must take full advantage.

The home form of Thomas Frank's side has been frustrating for the Spurs' faithful and they will likely have dark memories of this time last year when the then league leaders turned up in North London and stuck six past them.

Liverpool, in fact, scored 16 times in four games against today's hosts last season - and one of them they failed to score in.

That was a different Reds side, though, it must be stressed, and a new-look team heads to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium looking to build on what has been an encouraging couple of weeks for a club which is still looking to delicately move away from a deeply unsettling period between late September and November.

Conor Bradley returns to the team and Milos Kerkez keeps his place. Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk continue their partnership in the middle.

With no Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo sidelined, the temptation is to play both Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak together but I am going to pack the team with midfielders who can operate in a couple of positions.

So ahead of a midfield three of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones is Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai, who start the game on the left and right, respectively.

Ekitike leads the line and Isak and Federico Chiesa can wait in reserve if needed.

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

Ian Doyle

It's Christmaaaas! In a few days, anyway. And while Arne Slot would very much like the present of three points at Tottenham Hotspur this evening, it's Christmas presence that will be bothering him more immediately.

Primarily because there aren't many players from which he can choose. What, then, is the Reds boss to do?

He at least has a number of goalkeepers, so between the sticks is Alisson Becker. The only two fit available centre-backs are Ibrahima Konate and captain Virgil van Dijk, so they can start. At right-back, Conor Bradley returns from suspension while Milos Kerkez can continue at left-back.

In midfield, it's all about the formation. And I'd suggest sticking with 4-2-3-1, with Alexis Mac Allister alongside Ryan Gravenberch at the base and Curtis Jones as the number 10.

Up top, Florian Wirtz is on the left, Dominik Szoboszlai can be patched up and put on the right and Hugo Ekitike continues down the middle.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Jones, Wirtz; Ekitike.

Theo Squires

Liverpool might be welcoming back a couple of players from injury and suspension against Tottenham, but Arne Slot still has little to play with due to enforced absences elsewhere.

As a result, there are only really a couple of decisions for the Dutchman to make ahead of the trip to North London.

Firstly, does Alexander Isak come into the starting XI or does he retain an additional midfielder? I’m opting for the latter on this occasion. The Swede can be unleashed alongside Hugo Ekitike over the festive period against Wolves and Leeds United instead.

The in-form Frenchman leads the line as a result, with Alexis Mac Allister continuing at number 10 and Florian Wirtz on the left. Dominik Szoboszlai has fortunately appeared to shake off his ankle injury, so retains his starting berth too.

Jeremie Frimpong is at least back from injury so can spare the Hungarian the full 90 minutes if required with a cameo off the bench.

Meanwhile, Conor Bradley replaces the injured Joe Gomez at right-back, with the rest of the back five remaining unchanged.

Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday and ahead of the match, we have rounded up all the latest news from the Reds

Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday. Arne Slot's side began the campaign strongly, securing five straight victories before enduring a surprising slump with just a few wins to salvage some dignity.

Nevertheless, it appears the momentum is shifting back towards the Reds, who remain undefeated in their previous five matches across all competitions. Blocking their path are Thomas Frank's Spurs, who have been just as unpredictable throughout this season. Whilst they have managed victories against teams like Manchester City, there have been heavy losses to local rivals Arsenal, plus suffering a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend.

The balance appears to be swinging towards Liverpool for this encounter, but Spurs have much to demonstrate and Frank will recognise that a victory against the Premier League title holders could be the spark needed to properly ignite their campaign. Before this fixture, the ECHO examines all the major developments emerging from the Red half of this showdown.

Arne Slot squad update

During his pre-match press briefing on Friday, Slot offered an injury update regarding some of Liverpool's missing players.

Slot revealed that Dutch international Cody Gakpo and England defender Joe Gomez are confirmed absentees for the journey to London. "He [Gakpo] had a scan that looked promising so that means that we are not that worried anymore, as we were maybe one or two weeks ago," said Slot.

"So that means he might come back a bit earlier than expected two weeks ago, but that's definitely not tomorrow and also not next week. Joe is not in the squad as well for the weekend and Dominik trained yesterday, parts of the training [session], for the first time so let's see where he is today and how he is tomorrow. Jeremie is in the squad again as well."

Regarding Szoboszlai, he added: "That completely depends on how he does today. So if he can fulfil the whole training session and then you speak to the player and the medical staff.

"If the player feels comfortable to play and he did all the things he had to do, then he will start. If he can fulfil the whole session or he fulfils it but he doesn't feel comfortable himself, we will have a discussion.

"But Dom has been a starter for me in the one-and-a-half years I am here now and for the performances he's brought in, he would be a starter tomorrow if he is completely fit."

Salah's next step

Mohamed Salah sparked controversy with his claims that he had been 'thrown under a bus' following Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Leeds United earlier this month.

He was then omitted from Arne Slot's squad for the Champions League encounter with Inter Milan, before appearing as a substitute last weekend against Brighton. Salah has now left Liverpool as he gets ready to represent Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations and his future at Anfield remains uncertain.

The Liverpool striker is now preparing for his next step with his nation as he commenced training with Egypt at the Taghazout Stadium in Agadir, as they gear up for their match against Zimbabwe on December 22. The national team's inaugural training session with their complete AFCON squad took place on Thursday, featuring Salah among the 28-player ensemble.

Salah shared a couple of snaps on his Instagram story, one showing the entire team aboard the plane and another of him working out in the gym donning the Egypt training kit. The Egypt FA also posted pictures from the training session, where Salah can be seen gearing up for his country's first match of the tournament.

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.

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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.