Liverpool Confirmed XI vs Tottenham Hotspur | OneFootball

Liverpool Aim for Victory at Tottenham Hotspur to Close Gap on Chelsea

Liverpool travel to face Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening, with the chance to move level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea in the Premier League. It’s the first encounter between the two sides since that memorable afternoon at Anfield eight months ago when the Reds clinched their 20th top-flight title. However, much has changed since then, and Liverpool’s current ambitions have shifted significantly.

Changing Landscape for Liverpool

Liverpool’s aspirations of retaining their Premier League crown now seem a distant memory, but recent form has offered a glimmer of hope. The team heads to north London with a five-match unbeaten streak, an improvement that has boosted morale ahead of Christmas. While they are no longer in the title race, securing a top-four finish and qualifying for European competition remains very much in their sights.

Spurs, on the other hand, have endured a mixed start to the season, having lost half of their home games so far. This presents Liverpool with an opportunity to capitalise and close the gap to Chelsea, but they will have to navigate some key absences in their squad.

Confirmed XI for Liverpool’s Clash with Tottenham

Arne Slot has made several changes to the team that secured a 2-0 victory over Brighton in their previous outing. Alisson Becker continues as the team’s last line of defence, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté forming the familiar centre-back partnership in front of him.

The injury to Joe Gomez has forced an enforced change at right-back, with Conor Bradley stepping in after serving his suspension. Bradley’s return will add some freshness to the backline, as he is set to make his first appearance since the Brighton win.

In midfield, Slot has opted for consistency, with Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, and Alexis Mac Allister keeping their places. Dominik Szoboszlai has been declared fit to play and will start in his usual role on the right flank, offering much-needed creativity in the final third. On the opposite side, Florian Wirtz will occupy the left wing, looking to provide width and balance to the attack.

Up front, Hugo Ekitike will lead the line as the sole centre-forward, continuing his recent run of form. Alexander Isak and Federico Chiesa are available from the bench should Slot decide to make a change in attack. Meanwhile, Jeremie Frimpong, who has been sidelined for two months due to injury, returns to the matchday squad, adding depth to Liverpool’s options.

Confirmed XI: Alisson, Bradley, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, and Ekitike.

Tottenham Hotspur – A Tough Test for Liverpool

While Spurs have been inconsistent at home this season, they remain a formidable opponent under manager Thomas Frank. Liverpool will need to remain disciplined and focused, especially in the second half, where they’ve struggled at times in recent weeks. The presence of Ekitike up front will be key to breaking down Spurs’ defence and making the most of any chances that arise.

With Salah away on international duty for the Africa Cup of Nations, and Gomez, Gakpo, and Endo all sidelined, Liverpool will have to dig deep. However, the Reds’ recent unbeaten run shows they are more than capable of overcoming adversity and securing a vital three points in their bid to keep pace with the top four.