Tottenham v Liverpool preview: Team news, betting odds, lineups, where to watch
Ange Postecoglou faces a massive test for his future with Tottenham when his side host Liverpool in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
The Lilywhites will welcome the Premier League leaders to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday (8 January) for the first leg, with only 180 minutes standing between the hosts and a trip to Wembley.
Liverpool piled further pressure on Postecoglou after the 6-3 loss in the Premier League clash in North London on 22 December, and the Australian will undoubtedly be hoping for a more well-rounded performance this time round.
Preview
Tottenham cannot afford for an identical result to occur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday.
The Lilywhites are rooted in the bottom half of the Premier League and 12 points adrift of fourth-place Chelsea after the 2-1 loss against Newcastle United on Saturday (4 January).
Although the clash was controversial after Joelinton handled the ball in the build-up for Anthony Gordon’s equaliser, another loss leaves Postecoglou fighting for his life in North London.
The Carabao Cup provides the perfect and perhaps final chance for Spurs to challenge for silverware this term, and could set up a mouth-watering final showdown against North London rivals Arsenal should they overcome Newcastle United.
However, Postecoglou needs all his stars firing on Wednesday evening – Son Heung-min was “one of the worst” performers during the last defeat to Liverpool.
Regardless, the clash will undoubtedly be another entertaining contest between the sides, but one the Lilywhites cannot afford to lose.
Form Guide [all competitions]
Tottenham: LDLLW
Liverpool: DWWWW
Team News for Tottenham v Liverpool
Spurs will be without midfield duo Pape Matar Sarr and James Maddison, who will be suspended for the clash on Wednesday.
Destiny Udogie recently joined Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero on the long list of absentees in North London after Postecoglou confirmed the full-back will be sidelined for six weeks.
Brandon Austin will be expected to start again between the sticks with Fraser Forster still a doubt, and new signing Antonin Kinsky is unlikely to receive a work permit in time for the semi-final.
For Liverpool, Dominik Szoboszlai is doubtful to make the trip to North London, and the midfielder will be assessed ahead of the clash – Joe Gomez will not feature for the visitors.
Predicted lineups for Tottenham v Liverpool
Tottenham: Austin, Porro, Spence, Gray, Reguilon, Bissouma, Bentancur, Johnson, Kulusevski, Son, Solanke
Liverpool: Kelleher, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Jones, Gakpo, Jota
Betting Odds
Tottenham: 7/2
Draw: 7/2
Liverpool: 4/7
Where to watch?
The match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will kick off 8pm GMT on Wednesday (8 January) and will be available live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football and will be available for streaming on Sky GO and NOWTV apps.
Prediction: Tottenham 2-4 Liverpool
Unfortunately for Tottenham, the current injury crisis is crippling Postecoglou’s chances of a potential Carabao Cup final berth.
Liverpool are heading into the clash with only one notable absentee and can call upon key stars if needed in North London.
Postecoglou will hopefully have learned his lesson from conceding six goals against Arne Slot’s men last time out, but that is unlikely.
In other Tottenham news, David Ornstein shares what he’s been told about Postecoglou’s sack at Spurs.
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