Match Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool

Match Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool

Date: Wednesday, 8 January 2025

Kick-off Time: 20:00 (GMT)

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London

Broadcast: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football

Recent Form: Tottenham’s 17-year wait for silverware continues as they aim to take another step closer to breaking the drought. Manager Ange Postecoglou has emphasised his success in delivering trophies in his second season at previous clubs, and his side’s Carabao Cup campaign has shown resilience. Narrow victories against Coventry, Manchester City, and a thrilling 4-3 triumph over Manchester United have brought Spurs to this semi-final. However, they recently suffered a heavy 6-3 defeat to Liverpool, in the Premier League, underlining their defensive vulnerabilities.

Carabao Cup Context: With the semi-finals offering a tantalising opportunity, Tottenham will be motivated to make the most of their home advantage. However, a mounting injury list could hinder their ability to compete against a confident Liverpool side.]

Key Highlights: Spurs’ defensive line has been plagued with injuries, forcing reliance on less experienced players like Archie Gray and Djed Spence. Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-Min remain key to Tottenham’s creative and attacking efforts.

Recent Form: Liverpool are flying high, currently topping both the Premier League and their Champions League group. Under Arne Slot, they’ve been in scintillating form, with an unbeaten run stretching back to September. The Reds started their campaign with a 5-1 thrashing of West Ham and followed it up with tough wins over Brighton and Southampton.

Carabao Cup Context: The defending champions are favourites to advance, with their depth and form giving them the edge. Slot's men have maintained their sharpness in key matches, and the squad rotation has been a significant factor in their consistency.

Key Highlights: Liverpool’s attacking trio of Salah, Gakpo, and Diaz has been relentless, with Diogo Jota almost always in fine goal-scoring form. Virgil van Dijk’s leadership in defence remains pivotal, especially against Tottenham’s counter-attacking threats.

• Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster
• Defenders: Pedro Porro, Archie Gray, Radu Dragusin, Djed Spence,
• Midfielders: Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur, Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson, Heung-Min Son
• Forward: Dominic Solanke

Key Absentees:

• Injured: Guglielmo Vicario, Richarlison, Ben Davies, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Wilson Odobert, Mikey Moore
• Suspended: James Maddison, Pape Matar Sarr
  

• Goalkeeper: Caoimhin Kelleher
• Defenders: Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah, Virgil van Dijk, Kostas Tsimikas
• Midfielders: Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones
• Forwards: Federico Chiesa, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota

Key Absentees:

• Injured: Joe Gomez, Dominik Szoboszlai
  

• Approach: Spurs are expected to adopt a compact shape, looking to frustrate Liverpool with a defensive setup while exploiting counter-attacking opportunities through the pace of Son and the creativity of Kulusevski. Solanke’s hold-up play will be vital in bringing others into the attack.
• Key Player: Dejan Kulusevski: His ability to unlock defences with incisive passes and set-piece deliveries will be central to Tottenham’s attacking strategy.
  

• Approach: Liverpool will focus on high pressing and controlling possession, aiming to expose Tottenham’s defensive frailties. With Chiesa and Diaz providing width and Jota leading the line, Slot's side will target transitions and quick interplay in the final third.
• Key Player: Luis Diaz With his sharp movement and clinical finishing, Diaz will be a constant threat to Spurs’ makeshift backline.
  

• League Position (Premier League) - Tottenham 5th - Liverpool 1st
• Goals Scored (Last 5 Matches) - Tottenham 7 - Liverpool 18
• Goals Conceded - Tottenham 8 - Liverpool 8
• Clean Sheets - Tottenham 1 - Liverpool 5
• Average Possession (%) - Tottenham 53 - Liverpool 61
• Shots per Match - Tottenham 12.4 - Liverpool 15.6
• xG (Expected Goals) - Tottenham 1.8 - Liverpool 2.4
  

• 22 December 2024 - Tottenham 3-6 Liverpool - Maddison, Kulusevski, Solanke; Diaz x2, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah x2
• 5 May 2024 - Liverpool 4-2 Tottenham - Salah, Robertson, Gakpo, Elliot; Richarlison, Son
• 30 September 2023 - Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool - Son, Matip OG; Gakpo
• 30 April 2023 - Liverpool 4-3 Tottenham - Jones, Diaz, Salah, Jota; Kane, Son, Richarlison
• 6 November 2022 - Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool - Kane, Salah x2
  

• Tottenham has only beaten Liverpool once in their last 15 meetings.
• Liverpool has scored two or more goals in four of their last five matches against Spurs.
• Son Heung-Min has been involved in three goals in his last four games against Liverpool.
  

• Likely Match Dynamics: Liverpool’s pressing intensity and attacking fluidity are likely to trouble Tottenham’s injury-hit defence. Spurs, however, will rely on set pieces and counter-attacks as their primary route to goal.
• Key Factors: Tottenham’s ability to handle Liverpool’s press and manage defensive errors. Liverpool’s containment of Kulusevski's creativity and Son’s explosive pace.
  

Liverpool’s form and squad depth give them the edge, with their attacking firepower likely to capitalise on Tottenham’s defensive struggles.

• Tottenham’s Key Opportunity: Spurs will start with a solid defensive structure, aiming to frustrate Liverpool early. Their best chances will come from counter-attacks and set-pieces, where Kulusevki's delivery and Son’s pace can create danger.
• Liverpool’s Approach: Slot's men will look to dominate the midfield, using Elliott and Jones to dictate tempo and feed their attacking trio. High pressing will also be a major component, forcing errors from Tottenham’s less experienced backline.
  

• Both Teams to Score - Yes
• First Goalscorer - Luis Diaz
• Total Corners - Over (12.5)
  

Liverpool are unbeaten in the Carabao Cup against Tottenham since 2008, with their most recent victory in the 2016 fourth round (2-1).

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