tottenhamhotspurnews.com

Xavi Simons: Tottenham midfielder better suited to impact role after Liverpool show – here’s why

Xavi Simons came off the bench and was excellent as Tottenham Hotspur put a massive point on the board against Liverpool on Sunday.

Igor Tudor’s side looked to be heading for a seventh-straight defeat in all competitions at Anfield, with Liverpool leading 1-0 as the 90th minute approached.

However, Richarlison would prove to be Liverpool’s nemesis once again, as he netted in the dying minutes of the game to level the scores at 1-1.

Tottenham’s draw with Liverpool has stopped the losing rot in N17, and with a huge relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest next on their Premier League agenda, it could be the point that makes all the difference.

🏟️ TOTTENHAM MATCHDAY HUB 🏟️

Line-ups, predicted XIs, player ratings, tactical verdicts, match analysis, and live Spurs form guides.

Get 24/7 updates from your definitive Lilywhites source

MORE SPURS STORIES

Xavi Simons made Tottenham impact from the bench vs Liverpool

Now is the time for Tottenham’s best players to step up, and drag Spurs out of the situation they find themselves in.

One of Spurs’ big-name stars is Simons, who signed from RB Leipzig in this season’s summer window for a reported fee of £52million.

However, Simons hasn’t quite taken to life at Tottenham in the way that was expected of him, as he’s registered just one goal and four assists in 24 Premier League outings this season.

And, he would put in one of his most impressive and impactful cameos in a Tottenham shirt so far, despite only being on the pitch for 34 minutes.

As per Sofascore, Simons played one key pass, completed both of his two long ball attempts successfully, registered three shots on goal and made four progressive carries with the ball.

He also completed two of his three dribble attempts successfully, won his lone tackle attempt, won three of his four ground duels and registered a passing accuracy of 82 per cent respectively.

Simons was everywhere for Tottenham when he entered the fray, looking like a player with a point to prove and a fire in his belly to boot.

Simons may have unlocked his best Tottenham role

Now, given the money Tottenham spent to go and get Simons from Leipzig, it’s fair to say that a role as an impact sub was not the one anyone hoped nor believed he’d be destined for in N17.

And he doesn’t have to be long-term either, but for now, whilst the 22-year-old is still figuring out the league and his new surroundings, tasking him with this responsibility in games could be a very pragmatic one.

Over the course of 90 minutes, Simons hasn’t really proven he’s got the stamina levels yet to prevent himself from fading in games the longer it goes on.

However, over shorter bursts of 15, 20 and 30-minute cameos from the bench, that’s where Spurs may be able to get the best out of him right now, as his performance against Liverpool suggests.

Tottenham Hotspur boosted their Premier League survival hopes with a battling 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday, and their improvements were clear to see.

Igor Tudor finally got on the board for the first time since replacing Thomas Frank after Richarlison scored a 90th-minute equaliser to stun the champions at Anfield.

It was a match sorely lacking in quality, but Spurs will not have minded after the result kept them a point above the drop zone with eight matches remaining.

While interim boss Tudor is still under severe pressure, he looks to have bought himself time, with the performance against Liverpool a significant step in the right direction.

🏟️ TOTTENHAM MATCHDAY HUB 🏟️

Line-ups, predicted XIs, player ratings, tactical verdicts, match analysis, and live Spurs form guides.

Get 24/7 updates from your definitive Lilywhites source

MORE SPURS STORIES

Tottenham’s impressive work rate revealed

Tottenham had conceded first after Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick, which led Wayne Rooney to rip into Guglielmo Vicario, but they rallied back to grab a share of the spoils.

According to the post-match statistics, Spurs comprehensively outworked the hosts, which helped to set the foundations for a potentially season-defining result.

Indeed, the visitors covered 118.27km, 8.67km more than their opponents, while the North London outfit also sprinted for 10.05 per cent across that distance.

Tudor will have been delighted with the effort, but these promising signs have actually been there for much of his temporary stint, despite the largely chastening results.

Jonny Blain shared on X that the most distance Spurs have covered in Premier League matches this season have both come under Tudor – against Liverpool and at Fulham.

In addition, three of his four top-flight matches are in the top five of the same metric across the entire campaign, with the loss at Crystal Palace the only exception.

That effectively puts to bed speculation that his squad are not trying their utmost under him, and can be compared to their relentless energy under Ange Postecoglou.

While covering ground doesn’t automatically translate to results, it does set the tone while justifying Tudor’s decision to focus on fitness during his first training sessions.

What are Tottenham’s chances of relegation?

Spurs did not open up a cushion over 18th-placed West Ham despite their sterling fightback against Liverpool, but the result will have done their confidence a world of good.

Having lost 3-1 to Palace on March 5, they were given a 16.10 chance of being relegated by Opta Analyst. Now, however, that has been reduced to a 14.90 per cent likelihood.

Despite being just a marginal decline, every percentage point matters.

In comparison, Nottingham Forest have a 34.05 chance of going down, with West Ham’s odds now 45.26 per cent.

Clearly, then, the momentum is with Spurs, and if they can get the better of Forest in next weekend’s relegation six-pointer, they will be able to breathe a little easier.

Pedro Porro was embarrassing yet again for Tottenham Hotspur against Liverpool.

Spurs left it late at Anfield to secure a point against Liverpool, with Richarlison once again proving to be the saviour.

His 90th-minute equaliser looks to have bought Igor Tudor some more time in charge of the North Londoners, despite the fact that he remains winless after five games.

However, Tudor is still under pressure, and that pressure will break him unless he drops Porro from his starting 11 for the foreseeable future after yet another shameful display against the Reds.

🏟️ TOTTENHAM MATCHDAY HUB 🏟️

Line-ups, predicted XIs, player ratings, tactical verdicts, match analysis, and live Spurs form guides.

Get 24/7 updates from your definitive Lilywhites source

MORE SPURS STORIES

Pedro Porro almost broke unwanted Premier League record vs Liverpool

Porro was once the man that Spurs looked to for some creativity and composure, but this season, he has been unable to offer anything of that.

And that was again the case against Liverpool, where the Spaniard was quite literally hopeless at anything he tried to do.

Porro completed just 24 of his 35 attempted passes, with only 55 per cent of his attempted long balls reaching a teammate.

Defensively, he was even worse, having won zero of his seven ground duels, which is even more alarming considering he was defending against Rio Ngumoha, a recently turned 17-year-old youth prospect.

As demonstrated via his Sofascore graphic below, Porro was also dribbled past on six occasions in the game, and had it happened two more times, he would have taken the record of being dribbled past the most times in a single Premier League game this season.

Porro has been linked with an exit from Tottenham, and if that is the level of display he is now capable of, then an exit should be his next step.

Who could replace Porro at Tottenham?

Tudor made the bizarre choice to start Souza out wide, and that needs to change next time out.

The Brazilian could slot back in at left-back, with Djed Spence shifting over to the right in place of Porro, who looks to be getting worse with every game he plays.

It could allow Xavi Simons to return to the starting 11 after he was named on the bench against Liverpool, to give Spurs some added creativity.

However, whatever Tudor decides to do, it has to be without the services of Porro.

Tottenham: Fans’ group make right decision to postpone Nottingham Forest protests

Tottenham Hotspur fans’ group, Change For Tottenham, have confirmed that they will postpone protest action ahead of the Nottingham Forest game.

Tottenham have never been relegated from the Premier League since its inception in 1992, but in 2026, never has that threat been more grave.

With just eight games to go, Spurs sit one point above 18th-placed West Ham, and are without a win in 12-straight league games.

As such, Tottenham’s clash with Nottingham Forest on Sunday is a true relegation six-pointer, and perhaps the league game with the most consequence riding on it in recent Spurs memory.

🏟️ TOTTENHAM MATCHDAY HUB 🏟️

Line-ups, predicted XIs, player ratings, tactical verdicts, match analysis, and live Spurs form guides.

Get 24/7 updates from your definitive Lilywhites source

MORE SPURS STORIES

What have Change For Tottenham said about protest action?

Tottenham fans have protested already this season, and fans’ group Change For Tottenham had recently announced plans to plan further demonstrations ahead of Spurs’ game against Forest.

However, in a statement released to their official X account on Monday, the group have announced that these plans will no longer go ahead, as instead, they will focus on getting behind the team for that huge match.

“Although this ownership and Board don’t deserve it, we feel duty bound to stand with other supporters’ groups and the fan collective generally at the Nottingham Forest game, and have made the difficult decision to postpone any potential protest for this game,” the statement begins.

“In what feels like an immediate generational threat to Tottenham Hotspur’s status as a Premier League club, we are putting on hold any announced matchday protests for now whilst continuing with our other initiatives. We will however continue monitoring the situation.

“This is a very difficult decision to make in the light of the fact that the ownership are responsible for putting us in this perilous position, but first and foremost we are fans of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.”

The statement finishes by saying: “As always, we support the team and not the regime, and we hope this only further galvanises our fanbase on this immediate threat of helping pull the team over the line, whilst cementing the deserved critique of what has been a shambolic ownership where the time for more action will come.”

Spurs players need the supporters on their side against Forest

Loving a football club is easy, but continuing to love them even when they keep breaking your heart is the hard part.

Needless to say, Tottenham fans have had their hearts ripped out many times down the years, but no pain would quite match the feeling of seeing their team be relegated to the Championship.

It’s an unthinkable prospect in N17, but this proverbial barbarian is at the gate, and if they’re going to survive, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium must become their fortress.

Games such as the one against Nottingham Forest is specifically what the South Stand was designed for: a relentless wall of intimidating noise.

Fans in the North Stand mustn’t let the travelling Forest supporters be heard either, because if there was any match to put rightly held frustrations towards the boardroom to one side, it’s this one.

As such, Change For Tottenham should be commended for the reversal of their protest stance for this match.

If there’s one thing all Spurs fans can agree on, it’s that nobody wants to see the team playing second tier football next season, and a win against Forest would go a very long way to ending that possibility.

Tottenham: Pape Sarr reaffirms his starting role in Liverpool draw – here’s why

Tottenham Hotspur did their Premier League survival chances the world of good at Anfield on Sunday.

With both West Ham and Nottingham Forest picking up draws over the weekend, it was crucial that Tottenham at least matched those results when tackling a tough away test against Liverpool on Sunday.

And, as the clock reached 90 minutes, it looked as though that wasn’t going to be the case, as Igor Tudor was staring at a fifth-straight loss as Spurs’ interim head coach with Arne Slot’s side leading 1-0.

However, a dramatic late equaliser from Richarlison earned Tottenham a precious point against Liverpool, and gave the Lilywhites something to build on heading into a massive relegation six-pointer against Forest on 22 March.

🏟️ TOTTENHAM MATCHDAY HUB 🏟️

Line-ups, predicted XIs, player ratings, tactical verdicts, match analysis, and live Spurs form guides.

Get 24/7 updates from your definitive Lilywhites source

MORE SPURS STORIES

Pape Sarr was superb for Tottenham in Liverpool draw

Pape Sarr took heavy criticism for his Atletico Madrid performance on 10 March, as he played the full 90 minutes in the 5-2 defeat in their Champions League Round-of-16 first leg tie.

The 23-year-old central midfielder has been in and out of Spurs’ starting lineup this season, with 12 starts from his 21 Premier League appearances this term.

However, he kept his place in Tudor’s team for the trip to Anfield, and he certainly repaid the faith shown in him by his under-pressure manager.

As per Sofascore, Sarr completed both of his two dribble attempts successfully, made 17 carries with the ball, took 67 touches in the game and only one unsuccessful touch respectively.

He also made nine recoveries, cleared the ball four times, made two interceptions and eight defensive contributions against the Reds.

Overall, Sarr was Tottenham’s midfield metronome at Anfield, keeping things tidy whilst also driving Spurs forward whenever he could, as he looked every bit of a top-class player in his position on Sunday.

Tottenham are going to need Sarr in relegation battle

With injuries to Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, James Maddison, Joao Palhinha and Yves Bissouma respectively, Tottenham’s central midfield options have been decimated.

Conor Gallagher was also unable to recover from his fever in time to play against Liverpool, forcing Tudor to deploy a central midfield pairing of Sarr and Archie Gray.

However, that looks to be no bad thing, as Gray is a central midfielder by trade, but has been forced to play in defence for significant periods of both his Tottenham, and Leeds United careers respectively.

At Anfield though, these two looked like a very strong and exciting pairing indeed, with Sarr in particular showing his class: which Tottenham are going to need plenty more of from him this season.

If Spurs are going to stay up this season, they need to start taking greater control of football matches, but that can’t really be done if they’re losing the midfield battle every week.

Sarr, however, showed that he can run a game in the middle of the park against Liverpool, as he didn’t allow their talented midfield department to overrun Spurs in that area.

Tottenham are going to need Sarr a lot between now and the end of the campaign, as the weight of running Spurs’ midfield looks set to rest largely on his shoulders due to the injury crisis they’re facing.

Keith Hackett believes Virgil van Dijk was fortunate not to have been sent off after bundling over Richarlison in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Spurs delivered an almighty boost to their Premier League survival hopes after clinching a late result at Anfield, courtesy of Richarlison’s superb 90th-minute finish.

Igor Tudor avoided defeat for the first time since replacing Thomas Frank, and in truth, the visitors were good value for it, despite conceding first to Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick.

Tottenham’s draw on Merseyside moved them a point clear of the drop zone, but it could have been even better for them had Van Dijk been shown a red card.

🏟️ TOTTENHAM MATCHDAY HUB 🏟️

Line-ups, predicted XIs, player ratings, tactical verdicts, match analysis, and live Spurs form guides.

Get 24/7 updates from your definitive Lilywhites source

MORE SPURS STORIES

Why wasn’t Virgil van Dijk sent off?

Richarlison was a constant thorn in the side of the soon-to-be dethroned champions, with his late runs in behind and link-up play with Dominic Solanke causing all sorts of problems.

In the 54th minute, he found himself through on goal again after Guglielmo Vicario’s long ball forward, but his strike was beaten away by Alisson.

However, the frontman immediately appealed for a penalty – and he certainly had a point.

Replays showed Van Dijk had grabbed hold of his shirt during a tangle inside the box, effectively preventing him from keeping his footing as he pulled the trigger.

Former PGMOL chief Hackett has now claimed that the defender should have been handed his marching orders, while Spurs should also have been given a spot-kick.

Hackett exclusively told Tottenham News: “These two photographs highlight that a penalty kick and red card should have been the outcome here.

“Clear holding offence and the denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity.”

Fortunately for Spurs, they got what they deserved and now have a platform to build on.

Richarlison superb in Tottenham fightback

Tottenham were relying on Richarlison in their quest for a season-defining result against Liverpool, and the ace duly stepped up with an outstanding performance.

He was able to get the better of Van Dijk on numerous occasions, as shown after he was unceremoniously impeded in the box, and his goal was a deserved reward for his efforts.

According to Sofascore, he recorded four attempts on target and missed one big chance, an impressive return despite him taking just 38 touches across his 90-minute runout.

Richarlison was often isolated at Anfield, as demonstrated by the fact that he chalked up just 10 accurate passes, but he worked brilliantly off scraps and inspired his team-mates.

In the end, his equaliser may well be the difference between relegation and survival.

Tottenham Hotspur secured a point away to Liverpool, but Guglielmo Vicario failed to cover himself in glory yet again.

The Lilywhites are finally on the board under Igor Tudor after Richarlison netted a late equaliser to land a 1-1 draw at Anfield.

Neither side were particularly great, and Arne Slot’s side have come under plenty of scrutiny for their performance after several changes to their starting XI.

That didn’t stop the Reds from taking the lead in the first half on Merseyside through a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick.

Serious questions have since been raised about Vicario as he so nearly cost Tottenham a point away to Liverpool on Sunday.

MORE SPURS STORIES

🏟️ TOTTENHAM MATCHDAY HUB 🏟️

Line-ups, predicted XIs, player ratings, tactical verdicts, match analysis, and live Spurs form guides.

Get 24/7 updates from your definitive Lilywhites source

Wayne Rooney slams Guglielmo Vicario error vs Liverpool

Spurs have had their fair share of goalkeeper problems recently, with Antonin Kinsky summing that up in mid-week.

The Czech international was subbed off after 17 minutes against Atletico Madrid and was unsurprisingly left on the bench for the Anfield trip.

Vicario came in from the start, but once again left the away supporters frustrated when Szoboszlai smashed home a free kick.

At first view, it appeared to be a stunner, but on closer inspection, it feels as if the Italian should have kept it out.

That is the opinion of Wayne Rooney, who hit out at the Tottenham keeper on Match of the Day, highlighting his footwork as a major issue.

He said: “Szoboszlai has hit some incredible free-kicks this season, but I think the keeper has to do better. It’s in the middle of the goal, he gets a full hand on it, and I think it’s another goalkeeping mistake after seeing a few in the week.

“He doesn’t move his feet; he’s almost tiptoeing across the line. Look at him, he’s tiptoeing, and he gets a full hand on it, and he should save it.”

Tottenham players put in a mixed showing away to Liverpool, but the keeper wasn’t at his best when the Hungarian’s free kick flew in.

Vicario under pressure at Tottenham again

The 29-year-old has hardly covered himself in glory this campaign, so his performance away to Anfield hardly came as a surprise.

It has to be said that he made a few saves that made a positive impact to keep the Lilywhites in the game and in a position to grab an equaliser.

The issue is that he kept out just 0.18 expected goals, while conceding one goal from a free kick where he could have done better.

He also maintained a long ball accuracy of just 37 per cent, which really needs to be improved moving forward.

No high claims, times acted as a sweeper or punches show a lack of authority in his game, which also doesn’t help his cause.

Rooney is right to question his showcase against Liverpool as Vicario continues to raise concerns in North London.

Tottenham Hotspur‘s chances of being relegated from the Premier League have changed for the better following Sunday’s draw at Liverpool.

Igor Tudor snapped a four-game losing streak in all competitions since replacing Thomas Frank with a 1-1 draw at Anfield.

Richarlison struck late on to cancel out Dominik Szoboszlai’s first-half opener, with Spurs good value for their point.

Tottenham’s draw at Anfield keeps them one point above the relegation zone, but exactly what are their chances of going down?

🏟️ TOTTENHAM MATCHDAY HUB 🏟️

Line-ups, predicted XIs, player ratings, tactical verdicts, match analysis, and live Spurs form guides.

Get 24/7 updates from your definitive Lilywhites source

MORE SPURS STORIES

Tottenham now less likely to get relegated after Anfield point

While the gap on West Ham in 18th may remain as it was heading into the weekend, Spurs ultimately ticked off an extremely tough looking fixture.

After losing 3-1 to Crystal Palace in their most recent league match prior to Sunday, Spurs were given a 16.10 per cent chance of being relegated.

However, as per Opta Analyst‘s updated standings, the Lilywhites’ relegation chances now stand at a 14.90 per cent likelihood.

That is only a marginal decline, but it could be telling. Nottingham Forest, who Spurs face next weekend, have a 34.05 per cent chance of going down and West Ham a 45.26 per cent chance.

That means, as it stands, West Ham are still the favourites to join Wolves and Burnley in the Championship next season.

Richarlison makes Anfield history

With his late strike on Merseyside, Richarlison became the first visiting player to score more than one 90th-minute goals at Anfield.

The Brazil international has six Premier League goals against Liverpool – against no side does he have more – and he now has 100 direct goal involvements to his name in the competition.

That places him with Roberto Firmino (132) and Gabriel Jesus (118) as only the third Brazilian to achieve that feat.

While a point can be considered a good result, it must be remembered that Tottenham are now winless in 12 league games in 2026.

That makes them one of only two teams in England’s top four tiers, along with Sheffield Wednesday (15 played), yet to win this calendar year.

Guglielmo Vicario was beaten far too easily for Tottenham Hotspur in their away draw with Liverpool.

Tottenham’s relegation fears remained present despite securing a 1-1 draw away to Liverpool on Sunday, with Vicario once again emerging as a weakness in their fragmented side.

The Italian was somehow beaten by a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick, despite his effort being very central, casting more doubt over whether he is good enough at this level.

Igor Tudor still looks set for the sack at Tottenham, and he may well look to his goalkeepers as a big reason behind it.

MORE SPURS STORIES

🏟️ TOTTENHAM MATCHDAY HUB 🏟️

Line-ups, predicted XIs, player ratings, tactical verdicts, match analysis, and live Spurs form guides.

Get 24/7 updates from your definitive Lilywhites source

Jamie Carragher slams Guglielmo Vicario

Vicario has come in for a lot of criticism this season, and for good reason.

The Italian has managed to save just 62.7 per cent of the shots he has faced in the Premier League, while also having conceded 4.79 more goals than expected.

The latter places him in the bottom 5.9 per cent of Premier League goalkeepers, while his woeful save percentage also has him in the bottom 23.5 per cent.

For context, Szoboszlai’s effort had an xGOT of just 0.02, and yet it still managed to beat Vicario, who palmed the ball into the back of his own net, much to the shock of Carragher.

Via Sky Sports, he said: “Wow, that’s awful. Absolutely shocking from the goalkeeper. Tottenham have got huge problems in goal.”

And after Antonin Kinsky’s mishaps in Tottenham’s heavy Champions League defeat against Atletico Madrid, it’s hard to disagree with the latter part of his statement.

Igor Tudor sack surely still imminent at Tottenham

Many were left baffled that Tudor stayed in charge after such a humbling defeat away to Atletico, and it’s still just as difficult to see him remain in a job.

Spurs’ draw means they are now just one point above West Ham in the relegation zone, with just eight games left to be played.

It’s now four defeats and just one draw from five for the Croatian in charge of the Lilywhites, with 15 goals conceded within that period.

His exit from North London is still surely imminent, or at least it should be if Tottenham want to avoid the prospect of Championship football next season.

Keith Hackett insists Tottenham Hotspur defender Souza was lucky to avoid being cautioned in Tottenham’s draw with Liverpool at Anfield.

Richarlison earned Spurs a potentially crucial point late on in Sunday’s Premier League contest after Dominik Szoboszlai’s first-half opener.

Igor Tudor’s side produced a much-improved display on Merseyside, with Souza among those to impress prior to being taken off.

But Hackett believes Tudor should have seen a yellow card in Spurs’ draw with Liverpool due to a gesture towards referee Chris Kavanagh.

🏟️ TOTTENHAM MATCHDAY HUB 🏟️

Line-ups, predicted XIs, player ratings, tactical verdicts, match analysis, and live Spurs form guides.

Get 24/7 updates from your definitive Lilywhites source

MORE SPURS STORIES

Souza lucky to avoid booking at Anfield

Souza was involved in an incident early in the second half in which he sent Rio Ngumoha crashing to the ground.

However, referee Kavanagh rightly adjudged that Souza did not make near enough contact on his opponent to warrant a penalty being awarded.

Tottenham’s players were unhappy that Kavanagh did not book the Liverpool ace for diving, with Souza waving an imaginary yellow card in the referee’s direction.

Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News about the incident, Hackett said: “Ngumoha did go to ground, but he was moving at pace before he went to ground.

“This was a natural fall and not one where he had committed an act of simulation to deceive the referee. The referee therefore made the correct call.

“However, when you see the Spurs player waving an imaginary card, if the referee sees this then a yellow card should have been shown to Souza.”

Premier League referees have clamped down on players waving imaginary yellow cards, but Kavanagh may not have seen Souza do just that on this occasion.

Tottenham still winless in 2026 but major positives to take

A defeat would have been tough to take for Spurs on the basis of their performance, especially after going behind.

Richarlison went close multiple times prior to finding a way past Alisson late on, with that a fully deserved equaliser.

The Brazilian has now been directly involved in 100 Premier League goals, which is an impressive personal milestone.

Tudor may be without a win in five games since succeeding Thomas Frank, but he has at least stopped the losing run.

Spurs are one of two clubs out of 92 in England’s top four tiers without a league win in 2026, along with Sheffield Wednesday, but Tudor can take plenty of positives from both the performance and the result.