Tottenham XI vs Liverpool: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Premier League | OneFootball

Spurs will be without first-choice defensive pairing at Anfield

Igor Tudor has confirmed that Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha will both miss Sunday’s game away to Liverpool after coming off with concussion injuries against Atletico Madrid.

The pair suffered a clash of heads and were removed deep into stoppage time at the Metropolitano after receiving lengthy treatment on the pitch.

"No, no, no, they (Romero and Palhinha) are out,” Tudor said in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.

Romero has yet to play a league game under Tudor, having only just returned from a four-game suspension after being sent off against Manchester United last month.

FA concussion protocols state that if a player is judged to be concussed, then they should begin a six-stage 'return to play' process, which starts with an initial 48-hour period of rest with minimal physical and 'cognitive' activities.

Sidelined: Cristian Romero

AFP via Getty Images

Yves Bissouma is also out with a muscle problem, while Conor Gallagher has a fever but is expected to be fit to face Liverpool.

Micky van de Ven will serve a one-game suspension after he was sent off during last week’s 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.

The Dutch centre half’s absence means there will be more defensive rotation for a Spurs team that has struggled to name a settled defensive unit under Tudor.

Radu Dragusin’s return from a knock will alleviate some of the pressure on Tudor, but with Romero also out, he does not have three fit and available centre-halves.

He could opt to move back to a four-man defence, but after hinting that the versatile Archie Gray could play another new position against Liverpool, it seems the Englishman may come in at centre-back as Tudor sticks with a three at the back formation.

“That's the problem. He needs to, every game, change the position, tomorrow again. Four games here, four positions for Archie Gray. He's an amazing player, but that's been that.

“Something's wrong. Beautiful guy, beautiful player. I didn't know him before so much, so from inside, he has my big respect.”

That's the problem. He needs to, every game, change the position, tomorrow again

Igor Tudor on Archie Gray

Tudor played full-back Pedro Porro at right-sided centre-back in a three-man defence against Palace, but as has been the case for many of the Croat’s decisions since he took charge, it is an experiment unlikely to be replicated.

Experiential lineups have become commonplace under Tudor, but if there is one certainty, it is that he will restore first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario in between the sticks after his decision to hand Antonin Kinsky his first start since October backfired spectacularly.

“He is good, he will be on the goal,” Tudor confirmed when asked if Vicario would start against Liverpool.

Kinsky was at fault for two of Atletico’s first three goals before being replaced by Vicario just 17 minutes into his Champions League debut.

It was a dizzying opening quarter of an hour in the Spanish capital, which was compounded by Tudor seemingly blanking Kinsky as he came off.

Antonin Kinsky endured a nightmare Champions League debut

Action Images via Reuters

One thing Tudor did get right amidst a litany of errors against Atletico was to name Mathys Tel and Richarlison in attack, with the pair impressing even as Spurs found themselves 4-0 down inside 22 minutes.

Tel was unlucky to be replaced at half-time at the Metropolitano, the fall guy for Spurs’ wretched first-half performance, and Tudor would be wise to keep faith with the Frenchman.

Richarlison, meanwhile, helped get Spurs on the scoresheet as he laid on the assist for Porro’s goal at the end of a frantic opening 26-minute spell. The Brazilian was unlucky not to score himself, and has impressed since returning from injury.

Tudor has made some striking decisions during his three weeks in charge, with one of those being to drop Xavi Simons and Conor Gallagher to the bench against Palace and Atletico.

Simons and Gallagher are seemingly out in the cold, though it remains to be seen whether Tudor will be swayed to change his mind as he continues to search for answers after a disastrous start to his tenure.

Spurs could find themselves in the relegation zone by the time they kick off against Liverpool on Sunday, with Tudor still searching for his first win as interim manager.

A desperate situation spiralled further out of control after an error-strewn performance against Atletico on Tuesday, but for now, Tudor still retains the faith of the board despite becoming the first Spurs manager to lose each of his first four games in charge.

Predicted Tottenham XI (3-4-3): Vicario, Gray, Danso, Dragusin, Porro, Gray, Sarr, Gallagher, Spence, Kolo Muani, Tel, Solanke

Injured: Kudus, Bergvall, Bentancur, Davies, Udogie, Maddison, Kulusevski, Odobert, Romero, Palhinha, Bissouma

Doubt: Gallagher

Suspended: Van de Ven

Time and date: 4.30pm GMT on Sunday, March 15, 2026

Venue: Anfield, Liverpool

How to watch: Sky Sports