Tottenham’s struggles with inconsistency continue to be a major issue, a pattern that has plagued them in recent seasons. Despite having a well-assembled squad and a capable manager, they often fall short in crucial moments, both throughout the season and within individual matches.
Their latest challenge is a daunting one, as they prepare to face one of Europe’s in-form teams, Liverpool. Spurs have failed to win any of their last three Premier League matches, suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Nottingham before being on the receiving end of a heavy 6-3 loss to Liverpool.
They wrapped up the year with a disappointing 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton, a game in which Heung-Min Son squandered a crucial first-half penalty.
Despite their league struggles, Tottenham has managed to progress in the EFL Cup, edging past Manchester United in a thrilling 4-3 quarter-final victory, despite some shaky moments from goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
Their journey in the competition has been challenging, having also knocked out Manchester City in the round of 16 with a hard-fought 2-1 win. Meanwhile, Liverpool has been in outstanding form, spearheaded by Mohamed Salah, who is enjoying one of his best statistical seasons to date.
Liverpool has been nearly unstoppable this season, both in domestic and European competitions. They have dominated the Champions League, securing their place in the knockout rounds with ease.
Their only defeat so far came in a shock 1-0 loss to Nottingham at Anfield back in September. In the Premier League, the six-time European champions currently sit atop the table and have been relentless in their pursuit of silverware.
Their most recent league fixture saw them dismantle West Ham 5-0, marking their third consecutive victory after beating Leicester 3-1 and Tottenham 6-3. Their cup run has also been impressive, as they secured a 2-1 away win over Southampton in the quarter-finals.
Tottenham will be without several key players for this clash, which could further complicate their chances of an upset. Ben Davies, Odobert, Richarlison, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all sidelined due to injury, severely weakening the squad. These absences, particularly in defense, have contributed to Spurs’ recent struggles.
Son, who has recorded five goals and six assists in the league, has been experiencing a dip in form, as demonstrated by his missed penalty. Additionally, summer signing Dominic Solanke, who arrived from Bournemouth for £65 million, has yet to meet expectations, managing six goals and three assists so far.
Liverpool, on the other hand, will have most of their key players available, despite ongoing contract uncertainties surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah.
While defenders Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley remain sidelined with injuries, Ibrahima Konaté recently made his return to action in their latest Premier League match. Salah has been the team’s standout performer, strengthening his case for the Ballon d’Or with an impressive tally of 17 goals and 13 assists in the league.
However, he is far from Liverpool’s only attacking weapon. Luis Díaz (8 goals, 2 assists), Cody Gakpo (5 goals, 2 assists), Diogo Jota (4 goals), and Darwin Núñez (2 goals, 2 assists) have all played crucial roles in their attacking setup. The midfield has also been a key component of Liverpool’s success, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, and Curtis Jones providing energy and creativity in the center of the park.
Prediction
Liverpool’s attacking depth and Tottenham’s defensive vulnerabilities suggest this match could see plenty of goals. Recent trends indicate high-scoring encounters in the EFL Cup, with six of Spurs’ last eight home games in the competition featuring goals at both ends.
Likewise, nine of Liverpool’s last 13 away matches in the tournament have seen both teams find the net. Given these patterns, another goal-filled contest seems likely.
Prediction: Tottenham 1-4 Liverpool
