Tottenham vs Liverpool predicted lineups: Confirmed team news & probable XIs

The first leg of the second EFL Cup semi-final takes place on Wednesday evening, as Tottenham Hotspur host Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The game is being shown live on Sky Sports Main Event with an 8pm kick off.

Tottenham vs Liverpool predicted lineups

Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bentancur, Bergvall; Kulusevski, Johnson, Son; Solanke

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Jota; Nunez

Tottenham vs Liverpool team news

Ange Postecoglou’s side continue to be riddled with injuries, especially in defence. Guglielmo Vicario, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Ben Davies, Richarlison, Wilson Odobert and Mikey Moore are all missing for the hosts.

Fraser Forster was also missing against Newcastle United at the weekend (illness) and it is unknown whether he will be back in time to face Liverpool.

However, Tottenham’s newest addition Antonin Kinsky could make his debut in the absence of Vicario and Forster, after joining from Slavia Prague for a fee of around £12.5m

Liverpool will remain without Joe Gomez, who has been absent after picking up a hamstring injury against West Ham United last month. Dominik Szoboszlai was also missing against Manchester United at the weekend (illness) but could return to the squad to face Tottenham.

Both Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate returned from injury against Man United at the weekend, with Konate starting the match and Bradley coming from the bench for the final 11 minutes.

With the Premier League and Champions League both taking priority over the EFL Cup, Arne Slot could make multiple changes in order to rest a few of his players, protecting those who have just returned from injury (Konate) and removing those under the spotlight (Alexander-Arnold).

Differing approaches

Liverpool sit top of the Premier League after 19 games, already six points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who have played one match more. After a busy festive period, Slot could use Liverpool’s next few cup games (Tottenham and Accrington Stanley) as a chance to rotate and keep his players fresh.

On the other hand, Tottenham sit 12th in the Premier League, struggling to find consistency and riddled with injury troubles throughout the squad. With their league campaign already dwindling away, a chance to reach a cup final would be a much needed boost for the fans, and therefore Postecoglou will likely go full strength (at least as full strength as he can!).

With Postecoglou’s side winless since their last EFL Cup game beating Man United 4-3, they will need a lot to go right on the day, if they are to avoid another 6-3 defeat similar to the one in December, starting their four-game winless run.

Tottenham have only won once since 2017 against Liverpool, with their 2-1 victory last campaign at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Son Heung-min was pivotal on that day, scoring the game opener, and if Spurs are to get something from this one, he will surely be instrumental yet again.