London Evening Standard

Sport | Football

Tottenham player ratings vs Liverpool: Cristian Romero lets Spurs down as Xavi Simons sees red

Richarlison did give Tottenham hope with an impressive cameo off the bench but it’s another loss for Thomas Frank’s side

Dismissed: Cristian Romero

AFP via Getty Images

Sam Tabuteau

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Tottenham, down to nine-men, were unable to stage a late comeback as they were beaten 2-1 by Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs started the better of the two teams, but were reduced to ten-men after Xavi Simons was sent off for a late challenge on Virgil Van Dijk.

Liverpool took charge after half-time and scored twice in ten minutes through Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike to make their advantage count.

Richarlison gave Spurs a lifeline, coming off the bench to score with seven minutes to play, but after Cristian Romero was sent-off for a second bookable offence, Liverpool held on for all three points.

Sam Tabuteau rated the Spurs players at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium...

Guglielmo Vicario 6

Made a few smart saves, but there was little he could do about Liverpool’s goals.

Pedro Porro 6

Linked up well with Kudus early on, but was penned back in his own half once Simons was sent off. Alisson gratefully claimed his late cross into the area.

Cristian Romero 2

It was Romero’s poor pass that was easily intercepted as Liverpool took the lead through Isak, and he had to be stronger as Ekitike headed in the second. He was sent off in stoppage time to cap a wretched personal performance.

Read More

Hugo Ekitike on target again as Liverpool beat nine-man Tottenham

Tottenham vs Liverpool LIVE: Result, reaction and updates from Premier League

Everton vs Arsenal: Premier League - LIVE

Sponsored

Get ahead with expert services designed to boost business development

Micky van de Ven 5

The Dutch centre-half had spoken about Isak’s threat in the week, and he was punished by the Liverpool forward in ruthless fashion.

Djed Spence 7

Offered an outlet in attack, with some nice driving runs. At times, he carried the Spurs attack by himself. Unlucky to see Frimpong’s cross deflect off him and into the path of Ektike for Liverpool’s second.

Archie Gray 6

Frank kept faith in the teenager, and in difficult conditions, he competed well as Spurs tried to restrict Liverpool.

Rodrigo Bentancur 6

Given a thankless task after Spurs were reduced to 10 men, but he did not hide from his responsibility.

Mohammed Kudus 4

Slowed play down with some poor touches, while his passing in tight areas was sloppy. Difficult for the Ghanaian to influence the game once Tottenham were reduced to 10. He was replaced shortly after losing the ball in the lead-up to Liverpool’s opener.

Lucas Bergvall 5

Brought into the team ahead of Richarlison, he provided Spurs with an out ball after they were reduced to 10 men.

Xavi Simons 2

Sent off just past the half-hour mark. Simons has threatened to be punished before for being late in the tackle, and will now miss Spurs’ next three games.

Randal Kolo Muani 6

Put himself about, but should have done better with a free header in the first half. Nearly pulled Tottenham level when his ball was deflected onto the crossbar.

Substitutes

Brennan Johnson 5

Tried to make things happen as Tottenham made a late push for an equaliser, but was unable to create any clear-cut chances.

Wilson Odobert 6

Caused all sorts of panic with his direct running. His late cross forced a flying save from Alisson.

Joao Palhinha 6

Did well to keep the ball alive for Richarlison’s goal. Tough in the tackle to keep Tottenham pushing forward.

Richarlison 8

Dragged Spurs back into the game with a composed finish in a packed penalty area.

MORE ABOUT

Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua purse: How much prize money will both fighters be paid?

Paul vs Joshua purse: How much prize money will fighters be paid?

Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua purse: How much prize money will both fighters be paid?

Paul vs Joshua purse: How much prize money will fighters be paid?

Sport | Football

Tottenham vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction

Huge fixture for both Thomas Frank and Arne Slot in north London this evening

Spurs are looking to bounce back after a damaging 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend, but remain without long-term absentees Dominic Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski, and James Maddison as they welcome the Premier League champions to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Solanke has not played since August due to a recurring ankle injury, while Dejan Kulusevski is still recovering from a patella injury, for which he underwent surgery after last season’s Europa League final.

“Everyone is doing fine. Last game, I think it's the same players available. No one new is available,” Frank said.

Destiny Udogie is out until the new year with a hamstring injury, while Maddison continues his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

There could be a change in midfield, with Frank potentially opting to bring Joao Palhinha in ahead of Archie Gray, who was at fault for Nottingham Forest’s opening goal last weekend.

The Tottenham boss was, though, keen to state that Gray had reacted well to his mistake and was in a good place mentally ahead of the visit of Liverpool.

“He has been good. When I watched the game back, I think actually he was the one who wanted the ball instantly after the mistake. So I like that mentality, wanting to get on the ball.

“It’s part of it, everyone who has played football at this level, you know, made a mistake in life, you need to go back on it and go again.

“If you make a mistake, you can be pretty sure there will be a few questions about it. But, of course, you need to be able to manage it, and he will do that.”

Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma are both unavailable, having been called up to play at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Bissouma has not played a competitive game for Tottenham this season, but has been named in Mali’s squad in the hope that he can feature in Morocco to build up his fitness.

Dane faces lofty expectations but can win fans over this afternoon

Work to do: Thomas Frank is in dire need of three points this weekend

AFP via Getty Images

Sam Tabuteau

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Warped expectations have prevented Tottenham from facing up to the reality of their situation.

This is a club in a deep malaise, one that predates Thomas Frank, and one that will take time to fix - as per the Dane’s assertions.

Micky van de Ven, speaking to the Overlap this week, was never going to downplay Tottenham’s aspirations for the season, but in harbouring dreams of Champions League qualification, he touched on a crucial point of contention.

The expectation for Tottenham each year is to qualify for the Champions League, yet not since the 2021/22 season have they finished inside the top four. That is four seasons and four managers ago, counting Ryan Mason’s brief stint.

Spurs are, by virtue of their Europa League win, a Champions League team and, to their credit, on course to qualify for the knockout stages.

Frank, though, admits that in reality the club has not been in a position to compete for Champions League qualification for some time.

The Dane mused ahead of hosting Liverpool at Hotspur Stadium: “So, what is the potential of Tottenham?

“They would like to win trophies, we would like to compete with the best clubs in the country, and hopefully win the championship one day. I think that's what all Spurs fans are dreaming about, that's what I'm dreaming about.

Read More

How to watch Newcastle vs Chelsea: TV channel and live stream

Maresca out to prove worth as Chelsea size up 'perfect' Newcastle

Guardiola sets Man City exit timeline after playing down 'quit' claims

Sponsored

The new face of whisky investment

“But how do we get that? Reality is if we finish eighth with Champions League, then we finish 5th with no European contest, then we finish 17th with Europa League, and now we're in the fourth season, and then there's been some players through the systems and so on, so that's the reality.”

A promising run of performances had provided hope that Tottenham were turning a corner under Frank, but a harrowing defeat away to Nottingham Forest has seen the pressure intensify ahead of a crunch fixture at home to Liverpool this weekend.

Spurs were comprehensively beaten at the City Ground, and again, it was the manner of the performance more so than the result that caused concern.

Frank has now won just six of his opening 16 league games as Spurs boss, but with a full, undisrupted week of training, the 52-year-old is confident they can take the game to a resurgent Liverpool side.

“A full week definitely helps a lot. (I would) be very surprised if we don't have the energy.

“I think it's quite normal. No one wants to speak about it. But when you play in Europe and in the Premier League at the same time, it's just a massive physical and mental load.

“No excuses. That's what we want. That's what we want to do. But being able to produce every third day, that's also a development in individual players' mentality and physicality. And there's not many in this squad that have been used to do it every third day.”

Tottenham are a team developing under Frank, but they are also a side he acknowledges are underperforming, with the Lilywhites languishing in 11th.

Three points at home could change the narrative again in a season of marked inconsistency up and down the league, and Frank believes Spurs need to become more resilient.

“I think that's probably a fair comment (that Tottenham are underperforming), and I think the best teams, they create a stamina where they are very resilient to setbacks. That's something we're working very hard on.

“But it is not a quick fix.”

Spurs have been poor, particularly at home, under Frank, but the truncated nature of the league table means they remain just six points off the top four.

A victory against Liverpool would act as a timely statement of intent, but a unified performance would do much more to spark Frank’s reign back to life.

MORE ABOUT

Thomas Frank hopes he can draw on his experience working with David Raya as he looks to help Guglielmo Vicario overcome his mistake-ridden performance against Nottingham Forest.

Vicario was twice at fault as Spurs fell to a 3-0 defeat away to Forest last weekend - playing Archie Gray into trouble on the edge of his own area before misjudging a pass from Callum Hudson-Odoi.

The Italian last month gifted Harry Wilson a goal during Spurs’ 2-1 loss to Fulham, and despite coming to his side’s rescue on a number of occasions this season, questions have been raised about whether Vicario, who signed from Empoli in 2023, is the long-term answer in goal.

“I think he is a very good goalkeeper. I think he is a fantastic shotstopper,” Frank said.

“I think he has saved us a lot of times this season where we needed it the most. Then, like with any goalkeeper, there are a few development areas or any player that we need to do our best we can to improve.”

Frank worked with Raya on his confidence from crosses when the pair were at Brentford, and the Spaniard has since gone on to become one of the world’s most renowned ‘keepers at Arsenal.

The Tottenham boss, under increasing pressure heading into Saturday’s game against Liverpool, hopes to be able to develop Vicario in the same way he did Raya and said it was natural for ‘keepers to be under the spotlight more so than other players.

“I think he has a good level in distribution. I think it's a level he could work on and get even better at, that’s something we are working on,” Frank continued.

“I think every keeper will always be highlighted. I experienced that with David Raya when he was with Brentford in the beginning with some crosses or some distribution where he was wrong, we worked on it and it became better and then he was sold to a club (Arsenal) we can’t mention.”

Frank, who believes the criticism around Vicario this season has become overblown, also highlighted the development of Mark Flekken during his two seasons at Brentford.

Flekken openly admitted to using the services of a mental coach during his time in west London and after a shaky debut campaign, became a reliable presence between the sticks for the Bees.

“Mark Flekken, when he came to us in Brentford, the first six months also took a little bit of time, but developed over time which is natural.

“I think Vic, some of the key areas Fabian (Otte) the goalkeeper keeper coach and I identified from the beginning, I think he worked very hard on it but I think he showed that that is the way to go.

“I've actually looked at his (Vicario’s) data for this season it's better than his previous two seasons at Tottenham which slightly surprised me, because the narrative around him because of a couple of mistakes is that he is probably not having a great season.”

‘Beatlemania wasn’t like Taylor Swift — it came out of nowhere, like a meteorite’

Sean Ono Lennon's thoughts on the actor who’s about to play his dad

Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua purse: How much prize money will both fighters be paid?

Paul vs Joshua purse: How much prize money will fighters be paid?

Sport | Football

Tottenham vs Liverpool: Prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds

Spurs welcome the reigning Premier League champions to north London this weekend

Goals are almost a guarantee as Tottenham host Liverpool in the Premier League

ES Composite

Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

For the second year in a row, Tottenham and Liverpool face off in their final Premier League matches before Christmas.

It’s a must-win fixture for both teams, though for differing reasons as Liverpool will begin the weekend in seventh place, two points off Chelsea in fourth with Spurs in the bottom half of the table.

Thomas Frank can ease the pressure on his shoulders, which increased after last weekend’s disappointing 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, by recording another victory over one of the traditional big-six teams.

Meanwhile, Arne Slot will be hoping his side have turned a corner as the 2-0 win over Brighton last time out made it four games without a defeat.

Here’s everything you need to know about the game...

Date, kick-off time and venue

Tottenham vs Liverpool is scheduled for a 5.30pm GMT kick-off on Saturday, December 20, 2025.

The match will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in north London.

Where to watch Tottenham vs Liverpool

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports. Coverage starts at 5pm GMT on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League ahead of kick-off at 5.30pm.

Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau at the ground!

Read More

Furry doll craze and papal election among most talked-about moments of 2025 on X

‘She dreamed a dream’: Timothee Chalamet reveals he is a Susan Boyle fan

Crystal Palace top targets revealed ahead of busy January transfer window

Sponsored

Why Oxford Street is so much more than a shopping destination

Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights shortly after the final whistle is blown with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10.20pm GMT.

Tottenham vs Liverpool team news

Thomas Frank is set to be without as many as EIGHT senior Spurs players for the visit of Liverpool.

James Maddison, Destiny Udogie, Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski are all out injured, while Kota Takai and Radu Dragusin are still someway short of full match sharpness.

Yves Bissouma, currently suspended by the club, departed this week for Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) duty which means Pape Matar Sarr is also unvailable for selection having been selected by Senegal.

Frank is likely to make changes to the side that started at Forest with Joao Palhinha and Lucas Bergvall pushing for returns in midfield, while there is a big decision to make over Xavi Simons as the Dutchman was overlooked to start recent big games against Arsenal, PSG and Newcastle.

As for Liverpool, they will certainly be without Mohamed Salah (AFCON), Cody Gakpo (muscle), Giovanni Leoni (knee), Wataru Endo (ankle) and Conor Bradley (suspension).

Jeremie Frimpong could return from a hamstring injury, but Dominik Szoboszlai and Joe Gomez are doubtful after picking up knocks during the win over Brighton.

Lucas Bergvall is pushing to start against Liverpool

AFP via Getty Images

Tottenham vs Liverpool prediction

Spurs have won their last two at home, albeit against Brentford and Slavia Prague. Before that, they hadn’t won at home in the league since the opening weekend of the season.

During the winless period there were some really poor performances, notably against Chelsea and Manchester United, so there is pressure on the players to produce a much better performance.

If Liverpool can keep the number of chances they concede to a minimum, they should be in a position to pick Spurs off and claim all three points.

Liverpool to win, 3-1.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

These two teams shared nine goals in the corresponding fixture at the same time last season. Liverpool did score six times in a ruthless display of attacking football.

Tottenham wins: 50

Liverpool wins: 93

Draws: 44

Tottenham vs Liverpool match odds

Tottenham to win: 21/10

Liverpool to win: 10/11

Draw: 21/10

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

MORE ABOUT