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Here are our Tottenham player ratings after their battling draw at Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon

Tottenham grabbed a much-needed 1-1 draw at Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday and here are our player ratings from the game at Anfield.

Igor Tudor had to name a Tottenham team that was missing 13 players including Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha as they are in the concussion protocol following their clash of heads at the end of the Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid. He was also missing Yves Bissouma with a muscle problem, Micky van de Ven through suspension and Conor Gallagher who has had fever.

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Guglielmo Vicario returned in goal for Antonin Kinsky among four changes for Spurs with Dominic Solanke, Souza and Radu Dragusin coming into the side. To make a point about just how few players he had to pick from, Tudor named just seven substitutes on the bench with two goalkeepers, two senior outfield players and three youngsters.

Tottenham started brightly with Souza, playing as a right winger, forcing Alisson Becker into a save but Dominik Szoboszlai put Liverpool ahead with a free-kick that Vicario should have done better with, getting only a weak hand to it and helping it on its way in.

Richarlison had a couple of big headed chances at the end of the first half, Alisson saving one well. The Liverpool keeper remained busy in the second period even if Spurs looked vulnerable at the back.

It was the busy Richarlison who found a leveller in the 90th minute. A long Vicario kick ended up at the feet of substitute Randal Kolo Muani and he knocked it to the Brazilian to scuff low into the net.

Here are our Spurs player ratings from the game:

Guglielmo Vicario

Should have done better with Szoboszlai's free-kick, pushing it into his own net. Did make a terrific save on 36 minutes, pushing Gakpo's strike on to the left-hand post. His kicking puts his team-mates into trouble too many times. Has now conceded 11 goals from outside the area, four more than any other keeper. Was involved in the equaliser though with his long kick. 5

Pedro Porro

Ngumoha gave him nightmares, turning him inside out but he got better as the game wore on. 5

Kevin Danso

Spurs' best defender by a mile. Limped around, battling for everything. 8

Radu Dragusin

Awful with the ball at his feet. So many misplaced passes or nervy touches. He got better as the second half wore on but he had some scary moments. 4

Djed Spence

Didn't offer too much at either end of the pitch. To be fair to him, playing alongside the nervy Dragusin won't have helped him. 5

Souza

Started on the right wing and had an effort tipped over by Alisson 11 minutes in. Some iffy moments when coming back to defend but was also involved in a chance for Richarlison later in the first half. Struggled to track back in the second half and was replaced by Xavi. A mixed bag from the teenager and he only touched the ball nine times. 5

Archie Gray

Back in midfield and he once again put in the performance of someone much older than him. Switched to left-back late on and had to deal with Salah. 7

Pape Matar Sarr

A willing runner if not always using the ball well. Getting used to playing alongside Gray though and he was instrumental in Spurs keeping things tight throughout with his work rate. 7

Mathys Tel

Worked hard after taking an early clearance to the face. Set up Richarlison for a big chance late in the first half. Switched to the right after Xavi's introduction but couldn't offer as much down that flank. 6

Dominic Solanke

Almost picked out Souza after a good early run into the box. Still trying to find his sharpness although he looks fitter. 5

Richarlison

Involved in most Spurs' best attacking in the first half, heading wide himself later ahead of the break before forcing Alisson into a save with another header. Another effort saved on 54 minutes when Van Dijk looked to be pulling him back. Sent another powerful effort at his compatriot Alisson which the goalkeeper gathered at the second attempt. Deserved his late equaliser. 8

Subs

Xavi Simons

His first touch was a blocked shot. Took the game to Liverpool late on even if his final ball was lacking. 6

Callum Olusesi

On for Premier League debut and having just turned 19, he looked bright and confident with some assured touches. 6

Randal Kolo Muani

Grabbed the important late assist and battled well in his cameo. 7

James Rowswell

Here's the Tottenham team that Igor Tudor has selected to face Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon

Igor Tudor has named the Tottenham team that he hopes can pull off the club's first victory at Anfield since 2011 as they take on Liverpool without 13 missing players on Sunday.

The Croatian has confirmed at his pre-match press conference that captain Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha would be missing on Merseyside as they are in the concussion protocol following their clash of heads in the closing stages of Spurs' 5-2 Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid.

Tudor's job is at risk after four successive defeats since arriving in N17 with no improvements to the form or performances since he replaced Thomas Frank. He is also missing Yves Bissouma with a muscle problem, Micky van de Ven through suspension. Conor Gallagher has been suffering from a fever and has not recovered for the game.

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That means Archie Gray appears to be back in midfield alongside Pape Matar Sarr, with Pedro Porro on the right of a back three with Souza and Djed Spence as the full-backs to face Liverpool.

Guglielmo Vicario is back in goal for Antonin Kinsky. Richarlison and Dominic Solanke have both scored in recent games and start with Mathys Tel while Xavi Simons remains on the bench alongside Randal Kolo Muani. There are just seven substitutes on the bench with two goalkeepers.

Here's the Tottenham team Tudor has selected:

Here's the Tottenham Hotspur starting line-up that we reckon Igor Tudor will select to face Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday

Igor Tudor must pull off an unlikely victory at Liverpool without at least 12 missing Tottenham players to call upon at Anfield on Sunday.

Tudor confirmed on Friday afternoon in his pre-match press conference that Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha would be missing on Merseyside as they are now in the concussion protocol following a clash of heads in the closing stages of Spurs' 5-2 Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid.

The interim Spurs head coach knows his job is at risk with four successive defeats since arriving in north London and no improvements to the form or performances since he replaced Thomas Frank last month.

It never rains but it pours at Tottenham and as well as the concussed Romero and Palhinha, Tudor will also be missing Yves Bissouma with a muscle problem, has Micky van de Ven suspended and Conor Gallagher suffering from a fever. The latter is expected to recover in time and if he does not then Spurs will have 13 players out.

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The Spurs boss hinted to football.london that at Anfield, Archie Gray would be required to play in yet another new position under him. That suggests the 20-year-old will fill on the right of a back three as he has already played at left-back, right wing-back and in midfield for the Croatian. That would mean Pedro Porro and Djed Spence as the full-backs to face Liverpool.

Tudor also confirmed that Guglielmo Vicario will be back in goal. If Gray is in the backline then that only leaves Pape Matar Sarr and potentially Gallagher as the remaining fit central midfielders.

Richarlison and Dominic Solanke have both scored in recent games and deserve to start over Randal Kolo Muani, who continues to struggle to make an impact in the Premier League. That leaves Xavi Simons and Mathys Tel to take the other attacking spot in either a front three or behind the two front men.

Here's the Tottenham team we reckon Tudor might select:

The Tottenham boss came under fire for his reaction after taking the young Czech goalkeeper off just 16 minutes into the Champions League defeat in Madrid

Igor Tudor deliberately ignored Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky following his 17th minute substitution in the Champions League as he did not want to escalate the situation further.

Kinksy will be back on the bench for Sunday's Premier League match at Liverpool after a horror show at Atletico Madrid. First he slipped and gave away an opening goal to Marcos Llorente within six minutes, then failed to stop a second from Antoine Griezmann after Micky van de Ven had also slipped. Finally, the Czech goalkeeper scuffed a pass straight to Julian Alvarez in his own box to make it 3-0 all within the first 16 minutes in Spain.

Tudor had seen enough and after selecting the 23-year-old stopper to challenge Guglielmo Vicario, he hauled him off. The Spurs interim boss drew criticism from many for blanking Kinsky as he left the pitch heartbroken but the coach has now explained that it was a deliberate move.

"When you make this decision to change, you always lose. When you do that substitution after 15 minutes, the coach loses in both cases. First case, because you put him in so everyone says 'why are you doing this? You killed the guy'," said the 47-year-old.

"If you don’t, you are taking risk to concede one or two more goals, so I took the decision after thinking and if I needed to, I would do the same again. It was an act of helping to preserve the guy and to preserve the team.

"Why didn't I go to give him hug? Because maybe he was angry. Maybe coaches do things to avoid this scene and make a situation worse than it was. Sometimes it is better to stay there and we hugged each other at half-time. At half-time we spoke and nothing [more], the situation happened there. It finished there."

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One player who has struggled for starts under Tudor is Tottenham's big summer signing Xavi Simons. The 22-year-old has been a marginal figure under the interim head coach yet Spurs have won only three games in all competitions this season when Xavi has started on the bench and he ranks top for chances created at the club.

The Netherlands international is desperate to keep improving. He has his own data analyst and video analyst, as well as a strength and conditioning coach, personal trainer and even a mindset coach. He has been spotted at Hotspur Way on days off, looking to train and improve himself physically for the Premier League.

"I choose what I think is best for the club," said Tudor. "In this moment, I choose different players. That doesn’t mean he won’t play at Liverpool. Maybe he will play. A good player, an important player for us. There’s a lot of games to play."

When asked if Xavi still has his trust, the former Juventus boss simply said: "Everyone has my trust."

Spurs will go to Anfield on Sunday with 12 players unavailable. Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha are ruled out through concussion after an aerial collision late on in Madrid, Yves Bissouma has a muscle problem, Micky van de Ven is suspended and Conor Gallagher is suffering from a fever, although it is hoped the midfielder will recover in time.

So how do Tottenham's patched-up defence, which could feature young midfielder Archie Gray as a centre-back, keep out Liverpool's attackers on their home turf?

"We prepare the best possible way. We’ll see who is ready, who can play in which position," said Tudor. "Trying to change the least possible - which is impossible [because of the lack of players] and see. Let’s go there.

“The message is how I want to see this game at Liverpool - as a challenge and an opportunity rather than go there and be a victim because we are missing players."

Tottenham travel to Liverpool on Sunday with Igor Tudor's future in north London firmly in the balance

Igor Tudor takes his depleted Tottenham side to Liverpool knowing his job is firmly on the line as the threat of relegation from the Premier League looms large.

The Croatian's time in north London has so far not gone to plan, with the former Juventus man losing all four of his games in charge since taking over the reins from Thomas Frank.

Tudor has suffered 29 days of pain so far and Liverpool will be intent on heaping even more misery on the interim head coach. The 47-year-old's future hangs in the balance going into the clash and a heavy defeat at Anfield may even be the final straw for the Spurs hierarchy.

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Some would argue Tottenham's next three games are perhaps the most crucial of their season, with the Lilywhites welcoming Atletico Madrid to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday before a six-pointer clash against Nottingham Forest four days later.

Spurs have conceded 14 goals under Tudor and there is a sense his methods of working his players extremely hard in training are not benefiting the squad at all. Some players even feel Tudor has imposed himself too forcefully since his arrival at the club, with some viewing his approach as 'disrespectful' and others finding it 'borderline mocking,' football.london understands.

"Tough, for sure," Tudor said when asked how the last week has been. "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."

Spurs will go to Anfield on Sunday with 12 players unavailable. Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha are ruled out through concussion after an aerial collision late on in Madrid, Yves Bissouma has a muscle problem and Micky van de Ven is suspended.

Elsewhere Wilson Odobert, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Ben Davies, Lucas Bergvall and Destiny Udogie are all out through injury. Conor Gallagher is suffering from a fever, although it is hoped the midfielder will recover in time.

Liverpool have struggled under Arne Slot this season and pundit Paul Merson has made a prediction about the Dutchman's future

Paul Merson has cheekily suggested that Arne Slot might find himself managing Tottenham Hotspur should Liverpool fail to secure Champions League football. Slot's side have tumbled from title winners to a team struggling to cement a top-four finish and qualification for Europe's premier club competition.

The Merseysiders currently occupy sixth position in the league standings with nine fixtures remaining. Slot's squad welcome struggling Tottenham Hotspur to Anfield on Sunday afternoon (4:30pm).

They must then attempt to overturn a 1-0 first-leg disadvantage against Galatasaray in their Champions League round of 16 encounter. The reigning English champions also remain in the hunt for FA Cup glory, having been drawn against Manchester City in the last eight.

Yet Merson reckons Slot will face the axe should the Reds fail to qualify for the Champions League, before playfully hinting that the Dutchman could be destined for the Spurs hotseat. Slot was linked with a move to Spurs back in 2023 when they were looking for a replacement for Antonio Conte.

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Speaking to Sky Sports News, Merson said: "If he won the FA Cup, but didn't finish in Champions League positions it wouldn't make any difference at all. I think Liverpool have got to get in the Champions League with the [financial] fair play rule.

"The more you get into the Champions League, the better quality player you can bring in. I think they need to get a centre half and they'll be right back up there again next year. They've just been off it this year, it's been weird really, and it is hard when you've won the league like they have.

"They've been in a fight the last two or three years as well, new players come in. Again, they're playing for Liverpool, one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"It's taken them time to handle it, and they're top-quality players, but the club's just a huge football club.

"He will have to get in the top four, I would have thought, otherwise he'd be Tottenham manager."

Slot has recently indicated that Liverpool represents the 'nicest club to struggle' with while reflecting upon his 100 matches in charge with a candid assessment of his tenure thus far.

The 47-year-old commented: "This might sound weird if I say only positive [things], because this season has not been only positive. The support I have always felt - not talking about social media I don't follow that much - but the support I have felt from the home crowd, away crowd, people inside the building, the ownership.

"What we have done here together to achieve the things we have achieved, is in my head and memory only very special. We are struggling now, that is also very obvious.

"This is probably the nicest club to struggle [with]. This club has always shown in different periods, everyone is there for you. You try even harder.

"It is a fantastic club to work because of the facilities, people, fans, it is not all negative when we don't have the performances we want. It is still a great place to be. Even better if you win the league! Even in a season like this, it is still a privilege."

Liverpool will host Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday with both teams facing significant injury problems

Both Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool will be without key players when they face each other in the Premier League this weekend.

Spurs make the trip to Anfield in desperate need to return to winning ways after suffering a 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League in midweek.

Igor Tudor and Co. are currently in 16th place in the Premier League table and just one point above the relegation zone with just nine matches left to play.

That has led to speculation surrounding Tudor's future as Tottenham boss, with the caretaker manager offering an update on the fitness of the squad ahead of the trip to Merseyside., reports the Liverpool Echo.

Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha will both be absent from the fixture as they undergo concussion protocols following a collision during Tottenham's defeat to Atletico in midweek.

Micky van de Ven is ruled out through suspension, while question marks also hang over the respective fitness 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."

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Tottenham will also be missing James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert, Destiny Udogie, Ben Davies and Lucas Bergvall, who remain unavailable with their various injuries.

Liverpool have been forced to navigate numerous injury setbacks throughout the campaign, and that situation will persist when they take on Spurs this weekend.

Alisson Becker remains uncertain for Liverpool having missed the defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League in midweek with a muscle problem, though head coach Arne Slot indicated he hopes the goalkeeper returning to training before the fixture.

"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 feature for Liverpool after the Italy international missed the midweek trip to Turkey due to 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.

We have predicted the Premier League relegation battle as Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and Nottingham Forest look avoid falling into the Championship

The battle to avoid the third and final relegation spot is looking increasingly like a three-horse race.

While not officially down, it's hard to see the current bottom two, Wolves and Burnley, getting out of trouble, even if the teams above them keep slipping up. Leeds United, just three points above third-bottom West Ham, are certainly not out of the woods.

But, as it stands, it looks like one of Tottenham, Nottingham Forest or the Hammers will plunge into the Championship. It's been a wretched season for all three clubs, who have had eight managers between them.

That number could rise further with Spurs boss Igor Tudor already under pressure following a disastrous start to his reign. Here are the trio's remaining games and predicted results…

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Tottenham

Position: 16th

Points: 29

Goal difference: -7

Liverpool (a): The champions may have had a poor season themselves but it's hard to see Spurs getting anything at Anfield. Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Spurs

Forest (h): The biggest game of the season for both clubs, where not losing will be paramount. Prediction: Spurs 0-0 Forest

Sunderland (a): The Black Cats have dropped away over the second half of the season and Spurs need to take advantage. Potentially, with a new boss at the helm, they could sneak a vital three points. Prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Spurs

Brighton (h): The Seagulls should be completely safe by then. But a team under no pressure is a dangerous one. Prediction: Spurs 1-1 Brighton

Wolves (a): It's too little too late, but Rob Edwards' side is rejuvenated and could be too much for Spurs. Prediction: Wolves 2-0 Spurs

Aston Villa (a): Villa's recent form has been patchy but they're still fighting for Champions League football. Prediction: Villa 3-1 Spurs

Leeds (h): Another monumental game in the battle to avoid the drop. Too close to call. Prediction: Spurs 1-1 Leeds

Chelsea (h): The Blues would love nothing more than to send Spurs down, and they may just get their wish. Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Spurs

Everton (a): The Toffees may need to win to secure European football. Spurs might need three points to stay up. It could be chaotic. Prediction: Spurs 3-3 Everton

Final points: 36

Forest

Position: 17th

Points: 28

Goal difference: -15

Fulham (h): The sort of game Forest must take points from if they are to beat the drop. Prediction: Forest 2-1 Fulham

Spurs (a): See above

Aston Villa (h): Another home game against a Villa side in iffy form. Prediction: Forest 1-1 Villa

Burnley (h): Must win for Forest to put it mildly, although Burnley will be no pushovers. Prediction: Forest 1-0 Burnley

Sunderland (a): Forest's final game before a very tough run of fixtures. Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Forest

Chelsea (a): It's hard to see Forest getting anything at Stamford Bridge, unless the Blues continue their habit of ending matches with 10 men. Prediction: Chelsea: 2-0 Forest

Newcastle (h): You don't know what you're going to get with the Magpies but Forest might just catch them on a good day. Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Forest

Manchester United (a): Against a United team gunning for the Champions League, Forest will have it all to do. Prediction: Man United 2-1 Forest

Bournemouth (h): Home advantage on the final day could be crucial. Prediction: Forest 2-0 Bournemouth

Final points: 40

West Ham

Position: 18th

Points: 28

Goal difference: -19

Manchester City (h): It's hard to see the Hammers getting anything from a wounded City side. Prediction: West Ham 0-2 Man City

Aston Villa (a): Villa's form gives the Hammers an opportunity to get something. Prediction: Villa 1-1 West Ham

Wolves (h): Wolves aren't the pushovers they were earlier in the season. This will be tight and tense. Prediction: West Ham 1-1 Wolves

Crystal Palace (a): With little to play for, the Eagles are one the sides you want to play. Prediction: Palace 1-2 West Ham

Everton (h): As Hammers fans know, a David Moyes side is a tough side. Prediction: West Ham 0-0 Everton

Brentford (a): The Hammers will find it tough to breach a side potentially chasing European football. Prediction: Brentford 2-1 West Ham

Arsenal (h): On the day the Gunners could clinch the title, the nerves will be jangling. A draw might suit both clubs. Prediction: West Ham 2-2 Arsenal

Newcastle (a): A tough trip but a winnable one. Prediction: Newcastle 0-1 West Ham

Leeds (h): This could be do or die for both clubs. Prediction: West Ham 2-1 Leeds

Points: 41

football.london reporters pick their Tottenham starting XIs for the trip to Liverpool on Sunday in the Premier League

Igor Tudor could have as many as 13 players missing this weekend when crisis-hit Tottenham head to Liverpool in desperate need of a big result.

Spurs are now fighting for Premier League survival and have lost all four of their matches under Tudor, who replaced Thomas Frank in mid-February.

Tudor confirmed on Friday during his pre-match press conference that Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha will be missing on Merseyside following a nasty clash of heads in the closing stages of the 5-2 Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid.

There are also doubts over the availability of Conor Gallagher (fever) while Yves Bissouma (injured) and Micky van de Ven (suspended) will also be missing on Sunday.

The Croat is somehow going to have to put together a scratch XI to get a result and football.london reporters Alasdair Gold (Tottenham Correspondent) and Ryan Taylor have had their go at selecting the starting team that should take to the field.

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Alasdair Gold - Tottenham Correspondent

It never rains but it pours at Tottenham and with Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha ruled out through concussion after headbutting each other in the air, Yves Bissouma having a muscle problem, Micky van de Ven suspended and Conor Gallagher suffering from a fever, Tudor will have 12 players unavailable if the latter recovers in time as expected.

The Spurs boss hinted to football.london that Archie Gray would be having to play at Anfield in yet another new position under him which suggests the 20-year-old will fill on the right of a back three as he has already played at left-back, right wing-back and in midfield for the Croatian.

Tudor confirmed that Guglielmo Vicario will be back in goal and then there are decisions to make up front. I'd personally like to see a front pairing of Richarlison and Dominic Solanke with Xavi Simons playing behind them but Tudor seems to have banished Xavi from starting XI existence.

Gold's T ottenham XI vs Liverpool: Vicario; Gray, Danso, Dragusin; Porro, Gallagher, Sarr, Spence; Xavi; Solanke, Richarlison.

Ryan Taylor

Defensively, this is a major roll of the dice but it surely can't get much worse?

Tottenham need to somehow remain compact at Anfield and Liverpool are hardly free-scoring - just look at their below-par display in Istanbul on Tuesday against Galatasaray.

It goes without saying that I would bring Guglielmo Vicario back in from the start in place of Antonin Kinsky, then I'd go for a back-three of Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin.

I'd have Djed Spence and Souza as the wing-backs with Archie Gray and Pape Matar Sarr providing energy in midfield.

Then I'd select Mathys Tel and Xavi Simons behind Dominic Solanke, though I find it hard to envisage Tudor naming Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani on the bench.

The back-three is hardly inspiring and Spurs will have to defend in a deep block out of possession before hitting on the counter through Tel, Solanke, Simons, Spence and Souza.

The interim Tottenham Hotspur head coach has been unable to get his players to win matches but he believes they are turning in the right direction

Igor Tudor has defended how he speaks to his Tottenham players and hailed "beautiful" Archie Gray as a light amidst the dark of the club's struggles.

Spurs have lost all four matches since the Croatian replaced Thomas Frank last month and football.london reported this week that some of the players have been unhappy with how Tudor has communicated with them. His attempts to instil discipline have backfired with a section of the dressing room with a belief that he's over asserted himself, coming across as disrespectful to some and borderline mocking others, while marginalising some important stars in the squad.

However, the Spurs players also need to hold themselves accountable, having failed to perform for a string of managers, all with different styles of dealing with them.

Ahead of Sunday's trip to Liverpool, Tudor was asked whether the players needed to accept being criticised by him.

"It's not criticism. I give advice. It’s not about criticising players. We are together. It’s not that I say ‘You are not good, you need to do this.’ It’s not about that," he said.

"It’s about making them understand this is advice to become a better player and when you become a better player we become a better team. It’s about accepting this, which is not easy because it’s easy to stay in the comfort zone.

"When you stay in the comfort zone, you don't change. It's about thinking why we are here. That’s the main thing the coach needs to bring to the player."

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The Spurs boss can at least see improvements in the team's fitness levels, if not results.

"We are working on that now. It is better. It will be strange that I tell you after the last game that I see progress. It will be very strange to see [with] what happened in the pitch," he said. "In this moment, it’s even difficult to speak about football, about tactics, about physical things [given] what happened.

" But I can say that apart from those 15 minutes [against Atletico], I saw progress. I saw more compactness, more quality in the play, more structure, more energy. Good pressing. So apart from that [the 15 minutes] it was an equal game. This can sound now very strange but it’s the truth.

"So we were there second half trying to do our things which is not easy because psychologically what happened in 15 minutes will kill everyone. Instead, I repeat, not easy to say after what happened but this is true. So when when we start not doing mistakes we start to win. Football is a game of mistakes so when you do mistakes you lose the points. So we need to stop doing mistakes.

"When we start doing this we start to perform better. We will have more confidence, we will start to win. So now that everything is pulling you down. the first time you have a complete team, or let’s say a serious team and then happen what happened. So now we are missing three or four [more] players, we need to rebuild again something in one or two trainings, go to Liverpool … [exhales]. So, not easy but it is how it is."

One player who has impressed Tudor is midfielder Gray, who turned 20 on Thursday. The former Leeds youngster has made 29 appearances this season and has turned out at left-back, right-back and in midfield for the current boss in just four games.

He could now play in a back three at Anfield this weekend with Micky van de Ven suspended and Cristian Romero concussed.

"That's the problem. He needs to, every game, change the position, tomorrow again. Four games here, four positions for Archie Gray," said Tudor.

"He's an amazing player, but that's been that [for him]. Something's wrong. Beautiful guy, beautiful player. I didn't know him before so much, so from inside, he has my big respect."

Yves Bissouma is out with a muscle problem to make it 12 players unavailable for Spurs this weekend, although Conor Gallagher is expected to have recovered from a fever to stop it becoming unlucky 13.

Tudor confirmed that Guglielmo Vicario will return in goal but backed Antonin Kinsky after the 23-year-old's 16-minute horror show at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.

"He came back the day after and was very good in training. Positive. [Tuesday night] was very rare, probably the first and last time in my life and the life of a lot of people but this can happen," he said.

"You can go out from the situation as a victim. 'Poor me what happened'. Everybody sending a message of help and I am with you. This is nice also.

"Sometimes in 2026, social media life became that it is more important what you say than what you do. This is a mistake that will happen. For sure in his career there will be other mistakes but he has strength and quality and in front of him is a very good career."