Liverpool skipper van Dijk will likely be recalled to the starting XI for the clash at Tottenham. — AP
IT would be an understatement to say that there are no concerns over Liverpool’s recent run of form.
After beating Manchester City 2-0 this month, Arne Slot’s team have dropped points with back-to-back league draws against Newcastle United and Fulham.
They also struggled to beat Girona, with only a single goal courtesy of a Mohamed Salah penalty in the Champions League last week.
Midweek, the Reds edged out managerless Southampton 2-1 in the Carabao League Cup – but only just.
Having seen a healthy nine-point cushion at the top of the Premier League table cut down to just two, Slot cannot allow his side to continue underperforming and dropping points, more so with second-placed Chelsea closing in.
While Liverpool still have a game in hand, Slot will have to crack the whip to prevent any embarrassing hiccups, particularly as their next opponents are a struggling Tottenham Hotspur side in London this weekend.
Indeed, Slot has made some smart moves by resting most of his key and first team players in preparation for Spurs.
The Dutch head coach gave opportunities to players that have hardly played and also to young players in the win over Southampton.
He will also be glad that all his players left St Mary’s Stadium unscathed, especially the defence, having already lost Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley to long-term injuries.
There was also some good news for Slot as Federico Chiesa, who was in and out of the team with injury and lack of match fitness, earned some precious minutes, having played in the second half against Southampton.
Meanwhile Harvey Elliot, who also recently returned from an injury layoff, played the full 90 minutes and scored a goal.
Against Spurs, club captain Virgil van Dijk should be recalled to the starting XI alongside Joe Gomez, while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, who served a one-match suspension, will be playing on both sides of the defence.
The midfield should consist of Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai, while Salah and Luis Diaz should also be starting.
Diogo Jota, who got a goal in the 2-2 draw against Fulham last weekend following a lengthy injury layoff, is expected to take up the final spot on the starting line-up.
Meanwhile, Spurs will surely have their confidence boosted after booting Manchester United out of the Carabao League Cup in midweek.
But the question remains whether they are truly back, given the roller-coaster of results they have delivered in the last couple of months. There is simply no telling which side will show up.
Ange Postecoglou’s team are just unable to put together a good run of results of late, which could be good news for Liverpool.
After the impressive 4-0 away league match win over Man City, Spurs went on to draw with Fulham, lose to Bournemouth and Chelsea before hammering Southampton 5-0 last week.
The Australian manager is under heavy pressure to ensure his side can turn around their fortunes.
He even recently confronted an unhappy Spurs supporter and also called out Timo Werner, on loan from RB Leipzig, for his poor performance.
Postecoglou insists that he enjoys a challenge and is prepared to give it a fight.
But there is also no denying that Spurs’ form has been affected by injuries and suspensions.
Postecoglou will be without his first choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and striker Richarlison, with both set to be on the sidelines for a long time.
He will also be without his first choice centre back pairing of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, while left back Destiny Udogie is a doubt.
Rodrigo Bentancur, who had his seven-match ban appeal dismissed earlier this week, has also been ruled out against the Merseyside team and will only return to duty on Boxing Day.
Fraser Forster will continue to deputise in goal while Radu Dragusin and midfielder Archie Gray, a summer signing from Leeds United, will start at the centre of defence.
With Ben Davies also out injured until the end of the year, Djed Spence may be deployed as left back and Pedro Porro on the right.
Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr should be the double pivot in midfield while former Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke leads the attack along with Son Heung-min, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.
Since joining in June last year, Postecoglou has made Tottenham exciting with his brand of attacking football.
Despite the list of injuries that has plagued his team and the demands of challenging on multiple fronts, it will no doubt prove an uphill task for Big Ange to turn things around in the short term.
He will hope that his team can hang on until the club’s owner backs him with new players in January.
For now, he will have to make do with what he has at his disposal to climb back up the table.
