Tottenham Hotspur predicted line-up vs Liverpool (4-2-3-1) | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur welcome reigning champions Liverpool on Saturday evening, desperate to steady the ship after a bruising setback last time out.

Spurs head into the contest on the back of a damaging 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest that punctured the optimism built under manager Thomas Frank following some encouraging performances.

That loss leaves Tottenham languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

They are six points adrift of fourth place, and once again searching for consistency at a pivotal point in the season.

Frank faces this high-profile test with his options stretched, as injuries and absences for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) continue to bite.

Match preview

Tottenham have blown hot and cold under Frank.

Just as it appeared they were turning a corner, the collapse against Forest exposed issues in midfield and around defensive protection.

The Spurs boss retains the backing of the board, but there are growing internal concerns.

A defeat this weekend would be Tottenham’s 11th Premier League home loss of 2025, their worst return in a single calendar year.

There has at least been some improvement at home. Spurs have won three of their last five league games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Frank will hope that platform can help them take the fight to Liverpool.

The visitors arrive in London unbeaten in five games in all competitions and buoyed by a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.

Liverpool have also enjoyed recent dominance in this fixture, winning the last two league meetings by an aggregate score of 9-1, including last season’s title-clinching victory.

Match stats

Tottenham have lost three of their last five Premier League games and have already suffered 10 home league defeats in 2025.

Liverpool have won both of their last two matches against Spurs, scoring nine goals in the process.

Spurs have won only one of their last 15 league matches against Liverpool, a 2-1 home victory after the visitors received two red cards.

The Reds have been utterly dominant in this fixture, and Tottenham will be desperate to turn things around.

Team news

Frank confirmed there are no fresh injury concerns following last weekend’s defeat, but Spurs remain without several key figures.

Dominic Solanke, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are still sidelined, while Destiny Udogie is not expected back until the new year.

Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma are unavailable due to AFCON duty. There could be a midfield reshuffle.

Archie Gray endured a difficult afternoon at Forest. The ‘fearless‘ midfielder may make way for Joao Palhinha.

The Portuguese international (37 caps) offers greater defensive security alongside Rodrigo Bentancur.

However, Liverpool’s visit may require more experience in the engine room.

Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons are expected to continue behind Richarlison, while Randal Kolo Muani should retain his place on the right.

Richarlison has been directly involved in seven goals against Liverpool in the Premier League, more than against any other opponent.

Tottenham predicted line-up (4-2-3-1)

Guglielmo Vicario; Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Djed Spence; Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur; Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, Randal Kolo Muani; Richarlison.