After two disappointing defeats in a row, Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping to bounce back with a win against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
Ange Postecoglou's side suffered a crushing defeat against their London rivals, losing 3-2 against Arsenal in the North London Derby last Sunday, before losing 2-0 to Chelsea on Thursday evening.
Their tough race continues this weekend at Anfield, as they try to put the final nail in the coffin of Liverpool's failed challenge. Indeed, the Reds have been in terrible form, having picked up just four points from their last four Premier League games.
Spurs are currently chasing fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot Aston Villa. They are currently seven points behind Unai Emery's side despite having a game in hand.
It could be that Postecoglou decides to rotate the Spurs side ahead of the trip to Liverpool on Sunday. There are three changes that the Lilywhites manager could make before this game…
1
GK – Guglielmo Vicario
There are valid arguments that the signing of Guglielmo Vicario was the best piece of transfer business Spurs carried out last summer. They signed him from Empoli for an initial fee of £17.2m, and so far he is proving his worth.
The 27-year-old has made some impressive saves and kept six clean sheets in the Premier League so far this season, as well as one in the FA Cup.
2
RB – Pedro Porro
Since joining Spurs last January on loan from Sporting, Pedro Porro has impressed, but under Postecoglou, he has taken his game to the next level.
The Spanish player has one goal and seven assists this season for Spurs, which, according to SofaScore, is the second most assists for Spurs this season, behind only captain Son Heung-min, who has nine. He also created the third most chances, only Son with 17 and Dejan Kulusevski with 13 more than Porro's 12.
3
CB – Cristian Romero
Postecoglou showed great faith in Romero at the start of the season by making him one of Spurs' two managers. He played a major role this season, playing 29 times and scoring an impressive five goals.
The Argentinian is a strong defender and very dominant in duels. According to SofaScore, he is winning an average of 2.9 ground duels and 2.7 air duels per 90 minutes this season.
4
CB – Radu Dragusin
The first of three changes for Spurs could see January signing Radu Dragusin get a chance to play at full-back. The Lilywhites paid Genoa £26.7m for his services five months ago, although his chances have been few and far between.
The Romanian has only played six games for Spurs so far, starting twice in back-to-back games against Fulham and Luton. He could be in the starting lineup this week thanks to a tactical tweak from Postecoglou.
5
LB – Mickey van de Ven
The reason Dragusin can start is because Mickey van de Ven can slot in at left back. Since Destiny Udogie's injury, Spurs have played both Ben Davies and Emerson in his place, but both have struggled. Therefore, Postecoglou may turn to Van de Ven.
Indeed, Van de Ven has played at left-back 15 times in his career, although never for Spurs. His speed and good ball skills will stand him in good stead in that role.
6
CM – Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
The second change Postecoglou can make is to start Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in midfield, ahead of Yves Bissouma.
The Danish international, who has played 33 times in the Premier League this season for Spurs, will bring a lot of experience to his midfield. According to SofaScore, he averages 3.5 possessions and wins an average of 1.7 ground duels per 90 minutes this season.
7
CM – Pape Matar Sarr
Most likely to retain his place in midfield since the defeat to Chelsea is Pape Matar Sarr. The youngster has left a positive impression in his first full season of Premier League football.
Sarr scored six goals this season, scored three and registered three assists. Off the ball, he works hard, winning an average of 4.4 balls per 90 minutes, according to SofaScore. There is no doubt that he will continue to be a key player under Postecoglou.
8
AM – James Maddison
Since returning from injury, James Maddison's early season form has slowed, which led to Postecoglou dropping him against Chelsea last season. However, against Liverpool, he could return to the side in place of Richarlison – who had 19 touches before being booked on the hour mark during the midweek defeat.
That said, Maddison's quality is evident, and he was described as a “witch”. by Pundit Jamie O'Hara. This season, he has four goals and seven assists, which is still the fourth most goals scored by Spurs this season.
9
RW – Dejan Kulusevski
Sweden international Dejan Kulusevski played as number 10 against Chelsea, behind his captain Son. However, he could return to the right wing against Liverpool, to accommodate Maddison.
The 24-year-old is a silky dribbling player, averaging a competitive 1.6 dribbles per game according to SofaScore. Not only that, the 13 big chances he created for Spurs this season were only created by Son.
10
LW – Brennan Johnson
It has been a successful first season for Brennan Johnson in a Spurs shirt, following his £47.5m move from Nottingham Forest on deadline day last summer.
The Wales international has a combined 12 goals in the Premier League, more than any other team with Son on 25 and Richarlison on 13. This is already Johnson's best return to the Premier League, beating his tally from the 2022/23 season. .
11
CF – Son Heung-min
The first name on the Spurs team page is their captain. The 31-year-old has had an impressive season so far and has been a standout player for his club.
So far this season, Son has 16 goals and nine assists in 31 games, his latest goal coming against Arsenal in the North London Derby. He will be hoping to inspire the Lillywhites against Liverpool and get back to winning ways.
Full predicted line-up for Spurs vs Arsenal: (GK) Guglielmo Vicario; (RB) Pedro Porro, (CB) Cristian Romero, (CB) Radu Dragusin, (LB) Micky van de Ven; (CM) Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, (CM) Pape Matar Sarr; (RW) Dejan Kulusevski, (AM) James Maddison, (LW) Brennan Johnson; (CF) Heung-min Son
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