Premier League: How Low Can Spurs Go?

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur

They say when your luck is out, your luck is out, and that is exactly how Spurs must be feeling right now. A trip to the reigning champions is difficult enough at the best of times, but when you’re at your lowest ebb, it really does seem more daunting.

I say lowest ebb because it’s hard to imagine Spurs can fall much lower, and perhaps, starting this weekend, they can channel their inner optimism as they find themselves in the incredible position of fighting for their Premier League slices.

By the time of kick off at Liverpool on Sunday teatime, the North London giants could actually be in the bottom three, but in many ways, this contest is a free hit.

Very few people, including their own fans, expect them to get even a point, and they should use that to prove their critics wrong.

Talking Points

The critics have been circling for weeks now, and I still believe they have made a big managerial mistake. Firstly, in not giving Thomas Frank longer in post and, secondly, and more tellingly, with the choice of his interim replacement. It’s not a total excuse but a legitimate contributory factor to blame for the injuries for their slump.

So many leading players have missed chunks of the season – players like Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, and Rodrigo Bentancur who, if available to Frank, would surely have seen the side produce more consistent results.

In fact, it’s easy to forget they looked like a Top 4 side when the Dane oversaw an early season 2-0 victory at Manchester City and other away wins at Leeds and Everton.

Then there’s interim replacement Igor Tudor, who is clutching at straws while the squad look mentally shot. I don’t think the Croat will be in post much longer, but he will certainly have half a chance if players stop making such needless errors.

The quick-fire midweek collapse at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League was a catalogue of errors which has to be the nadir of their season. Spurs have let in 14 goals under Tudor and were 4-0 down after 22 minutes in Spain.

Hugo Ekitike shone as Liverpool swept aside West Ham 5–2 in the Premier League — Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring past West Ham

Two of the concessions were disasters for the goalkeeper, Antonin Kinsky, making his first appearance since October 29. Tudor substituted the 22-year-old in the 17th minute at 3-0 – a move that sparked criticism of his man-management.

Then there’s discipline. As they welcome back captain Cristian Romero from a four-game ban, at the same time, they are losing his centre-back partner Micky van de Ven for being sent off in their defeat to Crystal Palace last time out in the league. On saying that, I’ve just read the Argentine is now a doubt, as is Joao Palhinha, following a nasty clash of heads on Tuesday night. Yves Bissouma (unspecified) is definitely out, Destiny Udogie (thigh) will not be ready yet, and Conor Gallagher (illness) is touch-and-go.

Add in long-term absentees such as Lucas Bergvall (ankle), Ben Davies (ankle), Mohammed Kudus (thigh), Bentancur (thigh), Kulusevski (knee), Maddison (knee), and Tottenham could be missing as many as 13 players.

No wonder, few give them a chance.

For the hosts, beaten themselves at bottom club Wolves last time out in the league, Alexander Isak remains out, but goalkeeper Allison could be fit to return.

History

Their recent record at Anfield is lousy with just four draws in the last 15 years – including a 5-1 hammering last term on the day the Merseysiders secured title success.

They were also beaten 2-1 at home by Liverpool just before Christmas when Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike were the scorers before Richarlison pulled one back for Spurs, who played an hour of the contest with 10 men.

They last won at Anfield in May 2011, a 2-0 victory under Harry Redknapp – linked with a return this week – when Rafael van der Vaart and Luka Modric (penalty) ran the show.

Overall, Spurs have 50 wins against Liverpool who have 94 victories with a further 44 draws.

The inaugural meeting came in 1909 in Division One – a game in which Herbert Middlemiss scored the only of the game for the home side at White Hart Lane.

Premier League 2026 highlights have been and far between for Spurs, and so has this fixture in recent years, as they have won only two of their past 19 contests.