Tottenham Hotspur are three games away from their first piece of silverware since 2008.
Having navigated a tough road to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, beating both Manchester clubs en route to the last four, Spurs now prepare for two games with high-flying Premier League leaders Liverpool. If they triumph over the two legs, they will face either Newcastle United or bitter rivals Arsenal in the main event.
Beating Liverpool will be their toughest challenge yet, with injuries continuing to wreak havoc on the hapless Ange Postecoglou who has been under fire. Defensive absences have been noticeable in recent months, with Spurs defeat the Reds 6-3 before Christmas highlighting the lack of organization and solidity within the background.
Spurs they will need to make significant improvements if they are to avoid another hiding, and Postecoglou does not boast an abundance of options. Here’s what kind of team he could pick on Wednesday night.
GK: Antonin Kinsky – The Spurs did their thing the first signing of January when he signed 21-year-old Czech goalkeeper Kinski for around £12.5m. With Guglielmo Vicario out and Fraser Forster battling illness, he could make the XI against Liverpool. A baptism of fire for a hitchhiker.
RB: Pedro Porro – Porro excellently put the ball into the penalty area Defeated Newcastle United 2-1 highlight his ability to pick out opposition back lines over the weekend. However, his own defensive vulnerabilities will be tested by Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz on Wednesday.
CB: Radu Dragušin – The Romanian put in a characteristically questionable performance during the encounter in December, delivering six without much resistance. Draguša’s task could be made even more difficult by the insatiable Diogo Jota, who could be offered his first start after returning from injury.
CB: Archie Gray – Gray has excelled in Spurs’ injured and unfamiliar lines, but center back is unlikely to be the youngster’s long-term position. He has at least been offered plenty of first-team football exposure recently.
LB: Grandpa Spence – Spence returned from suspension against the Magpies and it was a timely return following a long-term injury to first-choice left-back Destiny Udogie. However, he is not yet fully convinced in the Spurs jersey.
DM: Rodrigo Bentancur – Out at the weekend following a fresh suspension, Bentancur’s return could be significant against Liverpool. He was sorely missed while away and will be even more important on Wednesday following the suspension of Pope Matar Sarro.
DM: Yves Bissouma – The illness has recently swept through the Spurs camp and Bissouma’s benching at the weekend may have come as a result. He played the last half hour against Newcastle and will be asked to stifle the energetic Liverpool midfield.
RW: Brennan Johnson – Johnson has been massively impressive this season despite blowing hot and cold at times. The Welsh winger scored 11 goals in 29 appearances in the campaign and registered an assist from the bench during the 6-3 defeat by Liverpool.
AM: Dejan Kulusevski – Kulusevski was a lifeline for Spurs against Liverpool last month and the influential Swede has been relentlessly brilliant in an attacking midfield or wide role this term.
LW: Son Heung-min – After his contract was extended until 2026Son should celebrate by returning to the starting line-up on Wednesday. Postecoglou suggested a busy fixture list had resulted in the South Korean fell for the weekend.
ST: Dominic Solanke – Solanke scored his first goal against former employers Liverpool in a 6-3 rollercoaster, finishing neatly to beat former team-mate Alisson. Another goal at the weekend will give him confidence against the visiting Reds.
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