Football London

Here are our Tottenham player ratings from their defeat to Liverpool on Saturday night in the Premier League

Nine-man Tottenham lost 2-1 to Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday night and here are our Spurs player ratings from the match.

Spurs came into the game off the back of that 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest and they started the match in 14th place in the Premier League, having seemed to arrest their slump with a draw at two victories. In contrast, Liverpool came into the game off the back of an unbeaten run of five matches.

Frank made one change to the starting XI that began the loss at the City Ground as he took Richarlison out for Lucas Bergvall.

Spurs found themselves down to 10 men though just after the half hour mark when VAR told referee John Brooks to look again at his decision to hand Xavi Simons a yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Virgil van Dijk and the man in black duly flourished the red card.

The hosts had the better chances in the first half with Randal Kolo Muani having a hat-trick of opportunities before hitting the crossbar with a deflected effort in the second period.

However, by that point Liverpool had taken the lead in the 56th minute when Cristian Romero's pass struck the back of Alexis Mac Alister and ricocheted back towards the Spurs box. The ball was worked to Florian Wirtz, who played in Alexander Isak to fire home. The Swede took a big hit from Micky Van de Ven in doing so and departed the pitch with what looked like an ankle injury.

The visitors' second followed 10 minutes later when Hugo Ekitike rose above Romero, with the aid of a push, to head in Jeremie Frimpong's deflected looping cross.

Richarlison hit one back on 83 minutes when Joao. Palhinha's scuffed shot from a corner bounced through to the Brazilian to fire into the bottom left corner.

Romero then completed his day to forget when he picked up a second yellow card and a red for kicking out at Ibrahima Konate during a tangle on the floor.

Here are our Tottenham player ratings:

Guglielmo Vicario

Saved well from Wirtz in the first half but couldn't stop Isak or Ekitike's strikes. Dealt well with most set pieces. 6

Pedro Porro

Put in a cross for Spence that led to a Kolo Muani chance. Worked hard down the right without rewards. 6

Cristian Romero

Played really well in the first half but gave the ball away for Liverpool's first goal and was then beaten by Ekitike for the second, albeit while being shoved. Then picked up a needless red card as Spurs were pushing for an equaliser as he kicked out at Konate. 3

Micky van de Ven

Solid enough display with not to much coming for Liverpool from his areas. Almost blocked Isak's shot and caught his ankle in the process. 7

Djed Spence

Made some surging runs down the left as the only real width down there and had a penalty shout towards the end of the first half. Unfortunate to deflect Frimpong's cross up into the box. Spurs' best starting player on the night. 8

Rodrigo Bentancur

An industrious display in the centre of the pitch as he tried to make up for the lost man. 7

Archie Gray

A fourth start in a row for the teenager and he worked hard before coming off. 6

Mohammed Kudus

Spurs' main outlet before and after the red card in the first half but he slowed down their breaks in the second half and the fans cheered the change which brought on Johnson for him. 6

Xavi Simons

Had started the game busily before clumsily running into Van Dijk and catching his Achilles with his studs. His yellow card was overturned for a red after VAR told the referee to go to his monitor. There was no need to make the challenge in that area of the pitch. 3

Lucas Bergvall

Tried to use his energy to trouble Liverpool and caused the visitors problems. 7

Randal Kolo Muani

Had one early shot blocked and sent a header over not too long after before sending another effort at Alisson before the half hour mark. Had a deflected effort loop onto the crossbar in the second half. Got into some great positions but needed to score at least one. 6

Subs

Brennan Johnson

Brought more zip to Spurs' breaks. Was involved in the goal and sent Richarlison away for a chance soon after. 6

Joao Palhinha

Involved in the goal with his scuffed shot falling to Richarlison to tuck home. 6

Wilson Odobert

A couple of late crosses but needed to get at the Liverpool defence more. 5

Richarlison

Cristian Romero was sent off in the dying embers of Tottenham's clash against Liverpool after Xavi Simons was shown a red card in the first half

Gary Neville had laid into Cristian Romero after Tottenham went down to nine men in the latter stages of their Premier League clash against Liverpool. Romero was shown a second yellow card by Craig Pawson for kicking out at Ibrahima Konate with Xavi Simons dismissed earlier in the clash for a reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk.

Speaking on the incident, Gary Neville told Sky Sports: "Has he done something on the ground with Konate? He's not right, him, is he?

"He just literally - he cost his team a goal with the first goal, they're just about to get back in it, or have a chance of getting back in it; he does that. I mean, what is he doing? What is he doing?

"Forget the fact that it's madness because he's already on a yellow card, his team have got a chance to get a goal back. Who's he shouting at? Get in the dressing room.

"Absolute madness from him, it really is. He's left the referee nowhere to go."

Watching back a reply, Neville added: "There's the little kick, right in front of the referee. He's only two or three yards from him. Stupidity."

Romero will now miss Spurs' next game against Crystal Palace and remain two cautions away from a two-game ban. His first yellow card was for his complaints aimed at Pawson that a foul was committed by Hugo Ekitike for his goal.

While Jamie Redknapp agreed it was a foul, he also hammered Romero for his actions with the former Spurs midfielder describing him as a "four-year-old".

He said: "What Romero did was what Romero does. It was just ridiculous to get involved right in front of the referee, and just kick out at someone. It's just so stupid. If my four-year-old did that I'd go 'what are you doing?' Ridiculous."

Neville meanwhile, had plenty to say on Simons following his very late challenge on Van Dijk. Pawson initially showed a yellow card but following VAR intervention, that was upgraded to a red.

The pundit said: “Simons was never going to get there. He rakes his studs right down the back of Van Dijk's leg. That's not clever. It’s a poor, poor challenge. It’s a ridiculous challenge.

“He is absolutely nowhere near the football. Malicious, nasty, reckless? Whatever you want to call it. Stupidity.

"Virgil van Dijk is six foot four and 15 stone. If it is the other way around, it's a leg breaker.”

Simons saw red after his challenge was deemed as serious foul play, which constitutes as “a tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality."

Xavi Simons was sent off in the first half of Tottenham's Premier League clash against Liverpool after a dangerous challenge on Virgil van Dijk

Tottenham star Xavi Simons has been shown a red card for a late challenge on Virgil van Dijk in their Premier League clash against Liverpool. As it was serious foul play, he will be banned for three games.

VAR recommended a review after Craig Pawson initially showed a yellow card, with the referee overturning that to hand Simons a red card.

An explanation of the decision was later made by the Premier League Match Centre on X. It read: "#TOTLIV – 30’ VAR OVERTURN After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of yellow card to Simons and issued a red card for serious foul play.

"Referee announcement: 'After review, the Tottenham No.7, with studs, catches the Liverpool player [No.4] on the calf high - it's an act of serious foul play. My final decision is red card.'"

On the incident, Gary Neville said on Sky Sports: "It is a ridiculous challenge, considering he was never going to get there. He is absolutely nowhere near that football. He is going to get a red card."

Given the nature of his dismissal, Simons will be suspended for Tottenham's next three matches.

Spurs have short trips to Crystal Palace and Brentford before 2026 begins, then hosting Sunderland and Simons will miss all three unless the club decide to appeal the decision.

The Dutchman has endured a challenging start to life at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following his big move from RB Leipzig in the summer.

After grabbing his first two goals in Lilywhite against Brentford and Slavia Prague earlier this month, it looked as though he had turned a corner.

However, a red card and three-match ban arriving is likely to dent any momentum that he had built up. Frank spoke highly of Simons after his standout display against Brentford earlier this month.

He said: “After a bit of adaptation… but also the team is growing more and more in sync, I think that hasn't helped him.

"Then, when a new player comes into the club and then we play all the games, we need to rotate some players and all that. So, all that now just coming more together, I think the team looked bright today.”

"It was put to Thomas that the way Xavi’s goal came about, with him snapping in to win back possession, would have particularly pleased him. “Yes, that’s hugely important, that quick reaction, that counter-press.

"The rest is fantastic. Actually, it's a top individual action, but I actually like the first goal as much - a little movement, the ball in behind from Pedro, running down there and a perfect pass for Richy.”

Here's the Tottenham team that Thomas Frank has selected to face Liverpool on Saturday evening in the Premier League

Thomas Frank has made one change to his Tottenham side to take on Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday night.

Spurs have lost once in their past four matches but that loss to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground was so poor that it has lingered around the 11th-placed side. Now Frank's side host a Liverpool side with some of their mojo back, although the hosts have had a rare six full days to prepare on the training pitches of Hotspur Way for the clash with the reigning champions.

Frank has rejig his team and that will mean changes to the misfiring side that lost at the City Ground. Spurs struggled to create chances with both Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani on the pitch and the head coach has swap Richarlison for Lucas Bergvall.

That appears to mean it could be either a diamond formation with Mohammed Kudus and Kolo Muani up front and Rodrigo Bentancur at the base of the midfield and Bergvall and Gray ahead of him with Xavi Simons at the tip. It could also be the Dutchman on the left wing with a midfield of runners or a 4-2-3-1 with Xavi or Bergvall on the left. The back four picks itself right now with the injury to Destiny Udogie.

Here's the Tottenham team Frank has chosen to face Arne Slot's team:

'We can win this game'

Former Tottenham star Sandro believes it is an ideal time to play Liverpool.

Speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest football betting, Sandro said: "It is a good moment for the Tottenham players to play Liverpool and build themselves back up so let's hope.

"It's very hard to predict the game but I know Tottenham and we can win this game. It's at home. We need the atmosphere from the fans but if we feel that, score an early goal, get the fans behind the team, it is completely different.

"We always look like we can score from set pieces at the moment but I want Kudus to keep doing what we know he can do because Kudus is very important for us. He can affect games against the big clubs and it would be a good day for him to perform.

"I hope Kudus can score and I will say 2-1 to Tottenham but there could be more goals maybe."

Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank has spoken to Djed Spence about his conduct after the wing-back threw a jacket after being substituted at Nottingham Forest

Thomas Frank has revealed he's held talks with Tottenham wing-back Djed Spence over his conduct in light of last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

The England international, who apologised to Frank in November after both he and Micky van de Ven appeared to ignore the Dane following the frustrating 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, threw a jacket after he was subbed off on 59 minutes at the City Ground.

Spence was initially limping after suffering a blow to his leg but he appeared to shake off the issue after the interval and was angered by his withdrawal.

Frank said: “I spoke to him. He was disappointed because he thought because of an injury he was subbed off and it wasn't, or that we thought he had an injury because of a dead leg. And he's fine, by the way."

The Tottenham boss added when asked whether Spence's behaviour must improve given it's the second incident in as many months: “I think he’s been highlighted twice, which, of course, is never perfect because then we need to use time on it here in the press conference so it’s best if we haven’t.

"It’s two situations where he’s very aware of the fact it didn’t look the best and we are dealing with young people.

"He’s 24 or 25 years old. How can I say, A big focus and pressure, and sometimes you don’t do exactly what is the perfect way, and you learn from it. You should learn from it and do it better in the future.”

Meanwhile, Frank is adamant he's the right man to "fix" Tottenham as he's working "24/7" to turn Spurs' fortunes around.

The under-fire Dane insists he's not yet feeling the heat in N17 after acknowledging that he's received private backing from the club's hierarchy in the aftermath of last weekend's horror 3-0 humbling at Nottingham Forest.

However, defeat to Liverpool today would mark a club-record 11th Premier League home loss in 2025 and that has never happened at Tottenham during a single calendar year.

Frank said: "I feel supported, I have done the whole time. As I said after the game and I haven't changed my mind, this is not a quick fix.

"This will take time but 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."

The former Brentford boss continued when asked if he's the right man to wrestle back the tide and drive the club forward: "I'm very comfortable and confident that I will, how can I say? Fix it.

"But 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 good at and that's analysing things.

"I know what good looks like and I know where we should get and one thing is I'm 1000% sure we haven't seen any club be successful unless they had key people making the right decisions for a long time."

The Tottenham Hotspur boss needs to get his team back on the right path as Liverpool come to town on Saturday evening in the Premier League

Thomas Frank needs to breathe life back into his Tottenham side as they welcome Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday night.

Spurs have lost one of their past four matches but that defeat at Nottingham Forest was so woeful that it knocked the momentum out of the team, who sit 11th in the Premier League. Now the north London side host a Liverpool side who appear to be getting some of their own mojo back but will be missing Mohammed Salah, Joe Gomez and Cody Gakpo for the clash while Dominik Szoboszlai, who has tormented Tottenham in recent years, is back in partial training with his role unknown.

The Lilywhites have had a rare six full days to prepare on the training pitches of Hotspur Way for the clash with the reigning champions.

Frank will be looking to rejig his team and that will mean changes to the misfiring side that lost at the City Ground. Spurs struggled to create chances with both Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani on the pitch and the head coach could swap one of them for a winger such as Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson, who has been linked with a move away from the club. or Mathys Tel.

With Xavi Simons needed in the middle for his playmaking ability, the Dane might decide to go with experience behind him in the partnership of Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur, which has not proved popular with the fans at home this season. The back four picks itself right now with the injury to Destiny Udogie.

Here's the Tottenham team we reckon Frank might go for to face Arne Slot's side:

Interest in Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson is mounting ahead of the January transfer window with Crystal Palace among his growing list of admirers

Thomas Frank has indicated he would like to keep Brennan Johnson at Tottenham in January - despite growing transfer interest in the out-of-favour Welshman.

Crystal Palace are understood to be leading the charge for the 24-year-old, who joined Spurs for £47.5million from Nottingham Forest in September 2023.

Frank said when asked whether Johnson could depart, providing the financials were right: "Overall, I’m happy with Brennan. He trained well today.

“We mentioned before that he has played some very good games on the right and [Mohammed] Kudus has come in, so that’s been a little bit of bigger competition there, not that he can’t play to the left. “In general I’m happy with Brennan. We haven’t done too much in terms of [preparation for moving] players out. I think he’s a big part of what we have when we’re playing a lot of games."

While Frank claims he'd like to retain the versatile forward's services, Johnson has been an unused substitute in two of the past four Premier League matches.

When pushed on whether he'd like to keep hold of the Wales international, Frank replied: “Yeah, I think we will be playing a lot of games so it’s important to have enough to shoot with."

He added when asked whether he would accept the prospect of Johnson eyeing a new challenge due to his lack of minutes: "I will not speak about Brennan, but I think any player that maybe does not play all the time will probably always have a thought about that, but we need more than 11 players."

Johnson's Tottenham contract runs until the summer of 2029 and Frank is also hopeful the club will recruit new players this winter.

The Spurs head coach said: "We will 100 per cent be in the market and be ready and if we can find the player or players to improve the team we should be ready for that.

"If we can’t and we know the January window is super super complex and a difficult window, I don’t think we should use money on a player we don’t really believe in, who can’t really move the needle.

"Because will that be a little bit helpful for maybe the next six months but doesn’t do anything long term? Then I’m not interested. For me we need to think now we need to win tomorrow and then we need to make good decisions for the long term. If we don’t do that there is no chance we can fulfil the potential of this club."

Here is the full transcript from Thomas Frank's press conference ahead of Tottenham's Premier League home clash against Liverpool on Saturday evening (5:30pm)

Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media ahead of Tottenham's home Premier League fixture against Liverpool on Saturday evening.

The Dane is under increasing pressure at Spurs, though he insists he feels supported by the club's hierarchy.

It's been a busy week off the field too as Micky van de Ven sat down with The Overlap for a far-ranging interview with Gary Neville.

Here is every word Frank had to say on Friday as he looks to get Tottenham back to winning ways ahead of Christmas.

Team news?

Everyone is doing fine. [From the] Last game, I think it's the same players available. No one new is available for the squad, yeah.

Reflecting on Forest, tough result, what have you learnt about your team from the game?

I think it was a bad performance, no two ways about it. I think there were a couple of things in it, it seems like we lacked energy to produce again. That was one element. And I think it was not a particularly good football game for any of the teams until our mistake [opening goal]. So when you lack energy and you maybe don't play the best game and then unfortunately make a mistake, that happens in football. And then struggle to come back from that in terms of handling that setback. And then you come out in the second half and do another mistake and back 2-0. So that's also part of the narrative around the game. So the big thing here is there is always something to learn. You learn more about the players, more about the team. And we need to have that bounce-back mentality and come flying out tomorrow against Liverpool.

Do you feel support, have you had conversations this week?

I feel supported. I've done that the whole time. And as I said, also after the game, that hadn't changed my mind. 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. And I've said it many times. We, of course, first and foremost, are the most critical of myself. So that's one thing. But I think it's fair to say that there are a lot of people in it that need to perform well together. With me in charge, of course, and taking the right decisions.

What do you identify as the main missing elements in this team at the moment?I don't know if there's one main thing. But there's no doubt that we can't run away. We need to create a bit more. And that's both principles and good training. And it's been nice to have a good training week where we could actually focus a lot on that. So that definitely helps. But also, how can you say? I've said it a few times. I think we have a few good players out with a lot of goals and assists in them. And we have a very good, talented group of players that haven't produced the same numbers yet. So that's part of it as well.Rare week of full training, have players recovered better physically this week?

Yeah, definitely. A full week definitely helps a lot. So I'd 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 Europa 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 game, that's also a development in individual players' mentality and physicality. And there's not many in this squad that's used to doing it every third day. I know we played Europe last year. I think it's fair to say that managing both the Premier League and Europa League didn't go particularly top. And now we just added that extra layer in terms of our Champions League level. So that's part of it. Sometimes you can lack a little bit of energy. And then when you lack that little bit of energy, and you maybe make a mistake in a game, then it maybe drops a little bit more, make another mistake. Then it's just very difficult to come back. Other times you play an average game and you maybe put it to the top corner. You gain more energy and then you don't think about whether you actually have lower energy going into the game. So that's part of it.

How has Archie been this week, he was in the spotlight after Forest?

He's been good. Also, when I watched the game back, I think actually he was the one that wanted the ball instant after the mistake. So I like that mentality, wanting to get on the ball. It's part of it. Everyone who played football at this level or any level made a mistake. You make a mistake in life, you need to go back on it and go again. The beautiful thing about football, especially at this level, and in Tottenham, if you make a mistake, you can be pretty sure there will be a few questions about it. But you, of course, need to be able to manage it and he will do that.

What have you made of Liverpool and how Arne Slot has handled the season?

I think Liverpool is an excellent team. They are the champions, the well-deserved champions last year. They started very well. I think they've got fantastic players. I think Hugo Ekitike, what a season he's having. [Alexander] Isak, we know, is a top striker as well. He will come [good]. [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 midfields in the league, maybe the most complete, in [Ryan] Gravenberch, [Alexis] McAllister and [Dominik] Szoboszlai is a beast, so he will play tomorrow, of course. It's a very good team that we're facing. But also, we're at a high level. We can compete very well. I believe we can do something good and we'll go for the three points.

You said this isn't a quick fix, how confident you can be the man to fix it? Postecoglou said the same and won a trophy? How long can it be to fix it?

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% 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. So for whatever reason that I was not here, when you said whatever, the number of head coaches were sacked. I don't know the reason why. I just know that if you want to have success, you need to have the right people aligned and go forward together. And there will be good times and there will be bad times. And that's part of it.

What's your message to the fans, they were key to your success at Brentford?

No, I think there will always be, no matter where you are, I think definitely 10% of the fans will always question the head coach, no matter where they are. And then there will be a big group that are the loyal ones or the ones that can see a little bit bigger perspective. But I would say to the Spurs fans, I would say that first and foremost, it's a privilege to be part of this fantastic club. And I think it's a fantastic club with a fantastic potential that we haven't fulfilled yet. So it's a club with a top potential that we need to fulfil. And to fulfil that, there's a lot of stages we need to go through. And one thing for sure, I'm working 24-7. I've never been thinking so much about football in my entire life. And I think a lot about football to make sure we get everything right.

How much reward do you get from playing out from the back? Vicario has made two mistakes in past few months?

I think it's two completely different situations. I think one is a missed clearance. So that happens. And the other one is a situation where I think it's, you know, for me, that's more on Archie. I've spoken to him. He knows next time it's a one-touch bounce. And there's no situation there. And it's a situation that we have seen a thousand times in this league and across Europe. And we see a thousand times after this game where you play that bounce and you get out. So it's like the same thing. My big philosophy is that you can't play long and direct all the time or can't play short all the time. You need to find a good balance. So it's all about that.

Back to a quick fix and how long it will take. Are the players just underachieving? They won the Europa League but it seems when they lose, they lose badly but when you’re good, you’re not and when you’re not, you’re not?

I think that is probably a fair comment and the best teams create a stamina where they are very resilient to setbacks and that is something we’re working very hard on, but it’s not a quick fix. That is small, good habits in training and in games. Sometimes you see things that some may think is a crazy example, but the Fulham game was not the best start. Clearly struggled for the next 30 minutes and then we found a way back and second half bit by bit there were bits where they stuck with the game plan, stuck with the structure and did the right things. OK, we didn’t get the fantastic comeback that would be fantastic and beautiful, but that would be a good step as an example. There is no doubt that demands and we’re working with the characters, with the leaders, with the culture and everyone that has done that before knows it is not a quick process.

Sounds like only so much you can do on training pitch?

Yeah, you can say that. Psychologically, mentality, character-wise, yeah bit by bit.

A word on Solanke?

I will probably say the same that I look forward to naming when he is in the squad, but he is progressing forward.

Micky van de Ven did a revealing interview this week, saying he still believed in Ange’s system, what did you make of it, have you seen it?

I haven’t seen it, so… I’ve talked (with press officer) about the interview, but I haven’t seen it.

It came across how much van de Ven believed in Ange’s system – I wondered has buy-in from the players been difficult given the contrasting styles?

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. I think Micky it is fair to say scored more goals, played more consistent minutes and been more fit than he has ever been, so looks like he is buying into it.

Had a clear week of training, how much has been spent on what Tottenham can do to hurt Liverpool versus what Liverpool can do to Tottenham?

I think it is very important that we do both and we work hard on what are our strengths and principles are. And 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. 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. Probably a good idea to also defend a bit, I think that’s fair, but we work very hard on our breakthrough phase. We work very hard on our positions and how we do that this week and then also worked very hard on our defensive side of the game.

Thomas Frank is under mounting pressure at Tottenham following a poor run of form, with some pundits describing the clash against Liverpool as a 'must-win' game for the Spurs boss

Under-fire Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has confronted questions over his job security following a poor start to the season that has seen Spurs slump into the bottom half of the Premier League table.

"I feel supported," he said. "I've done that the whole time. And as I said, also after the game, that hadn't changed my mind. 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. And I've said it many times. We, of course, first and foremost, are the most critical of myself. So that's one thing. But I think it's fair to say that we are a lot of people in it that need to perform well together. With me in charge, of course, and taking the right decisions."

Regarding questions from fans, Frank added: “There will always be fans questioning the coach wherever you are. Then there will be the loyal ones that can see the perspective.

“First of all, I'd say to Spurs fans it's a privilege to be part of this big club. To fulfil that, there's a lot of stages we need to go through.”

Former Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas has claimed that the home clash with Liverpool on Saturday is a game Frank needs to take three points from.

Jenas told 10bet: "I think it's going to be huge. I think this is a manager that could be under pressure. I think when there has been no real consistency with the line-ups and the tactics, it’s difficult to predict how players are going to perform. I want to see a bit of an improvement in the forward areas too.

"Yes, there are injuries at the football club but they've still got decent players there." When asked about the weekend fixture against Liverpool, Jenas described it simply as a "must-win."

Since the start of November, Tottenham have won just three games in all competitions. This is reduced to one win when focusing purely on the Premier League - a 2-0 victory over Brentford.

Frank's side are now set to face Liverpool who, despite enduring a rocky start to the season, look to have found some good form in recent performances. A win will take the Red's into the top four.

When asked about his opponents this weekend, Frank stated: "They're an excellent team, they're the champions. They started very well. They signed fantastic players, Hugo Ekitike, what a season he's having.

"[Alexander] Isak is a top striker, he will come good and [Florian] Wirtz is fantastic but still adapting to the league. [Dominik] Szoboszlai is a beast, he will play tomorrow of course."

If results don't go Tottenham's way this weekend, they could go into Christmas 15th in the table. If scores do favour Frank's side, and they are able to get three points on Saturday, they could jump two spots to ninth.

Fortunately for Frank, there are no new injury concerns ahead of this weekend. The Spurs boss claimed: "Everyone is doing fine. Last game, same players available. Nobody new is available."