Credit: Imago

James Barker

Mon 16 March 2026 12:40, UK Updated Mon 16 March 2026 13:57, UK

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.

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.

17 of those appearances have been as part of the starting XI, but Tudor dropped him to the bench for the third game in succession against Liverpool, and called upon him with a little over half an hour to play.

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.