The Daily Star Ireland
Tottenham continues to struggle with consistency, as has been the case in previous seasons. Despite having a well-structured squad and a competent coach, the team lacks strong leadership in crucial matches and key moments. Nevertheless, Spurs remain in contention, going up against Liverpool, who have been the most dominant team in Europe since the start of the season. This will be a tough challenge, especially as Tottenham has gone three Premier League games without a win, including two losses to top-three teams—falling 1-0 to Nottingham and suffering a heavy 6-3 defeat against none other than Liverpool. Their final match of the year ended in a 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton, a game that also saw Heung-Min Son miss a penalty in the first half.
Despite these struggles, Postecoglou’s men showed resilience in the EFL Cup quarter-finals, overcoming Manchester United 4-3 in a chaotic match that saw costly errors from goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Their journey to this stage also included an impressive 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the Round of 16.
Liverpool, on the other hand, has been in outstanding form since the start of the season, led by the exceptional Mohamed Salah, who is enjoying one of the most prolific campaigns of his career. The Reds have been nearly unstoppable both domestically and in Europe, maintaining a perfect record in the Champions League and already securing qualification for the knockout stages. Their dominance is evident in the Premier League as well, where they currently sit at the top of the table.
Since their only defeat of the season—an unexpected 1-0 loss to Nottingham at Anfield in September—Liverpool has been ruthless. They recently secured a commanding 5-0 win over West Ham, following a 3-1 victory against Leicester and the 6-3 thrashing of Tottenham. In the EFL Cup quarter-finals, they eliminated Southampton with a 2-1 away victory, further cementing their reputation as one of the strongest teams in Europe.
Injuries could pose a significant challenge for Tottenham, as several key players are unavailable. Ben Davies, young French talent Odobert, Brazilian forward Richarlison, World Cup-winning defender Cristian Romero, his defensive partner Micky van de Ven, and first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all sidelined. This extensive injury list includes crucial players, particularly in defense, which has contributed to Spurs’ struggles in recent weeks. Son, despite his 5 goals and 6 assists in the league, is going through a rough patch, evidenced by his recent penalty miss. Meanwhile, summer signing Dominic Solanke, who joined from Bournemouth for a staggering £65 million, has yet to live up to expectations with just 6 goals and 3 assists.
For Liverpool, despite ongoing contract uncertainties surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah, the team remains highly efficient. All three stars are available for this match, providing a significant boost. However, defenders Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley are ruled out due to injury. Bradley, who impressed against Real Madrid in the Champions League by keeping Kylian Mbappé quiet, will be a notable absence. On a positive note, Ibrahima Konaté returned to action in the Premier League last weekend, adding depth to the squad.
While Salah remains Liverpool’s standout performer and a frontrunner for the next Ballon d’Or, his supporting cast has been equally influential. Luis Díaz (8 goals, 2 assists), Cody Gakpo (5 goals, 2 assists), Diogo Jota (4 goals), and Darwin Núñez (2 goals, 2 assists) have all played key roles in the attack. Meanwhile, the midfield trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Curtis Jones, along with the contributions of Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott, has provided balance and control in the middle of the pitch.
Prediction
Tottenham’s recent home games in the EFL Cup have consistently seen goals at both ends, with six of their last eight matches featuring both teams scoring. Similarly, nine of Liverpool’s last 13 away fixtures in the competition have ended with neither side keeping a clean sheet. Given these trends, another high-scoring affair is expected when the two sides meet.
Prediction: Tottenham 1-4 Liverpool
