Liverpool vs Tottenham Preview: Relegation Crisis, Injury Chaos & Set Piece Battle at Anfield

Liverpool welcome a Tottenham side in historic freefall to Anfield on Sunday (4:30pm GMT), with the two clubs separated by 19 points and heading in wildly different directions. The Reds sit 6th on 48 points, locked in a tight battle for Champions League qualification, while Spurs occupy 16th on just 29 points, one place and one point above the relegation zone after six consecutive defeats across all competitions. Igor Tudor, appointed as interim manager following Thomas Frank's sacking in February, has lost all four of his matches in charge and faces the prospect of taking a skeleton squad to Merseyside, with as many as 13 first team players either injured, suspended or ruled out through concussion protocols. For Liverpool, this is a fixture they simply cannot afford to drop points in, with the top four race tightening by the week and a crucial Champions League second leg against Galatasaray looming on Wednesday.

Liverpool Form: Brilliance and Self-Destruction in Equal Measure

Arne Slot's side have been maddeningly inconsistent, producing moments of genuine brilliance sandwiched between results that have ultimately cost them any realistic shot at defending their Premier League title. Their last six matches across all competitions tell the story perfectly: three wins, three defeats, with the victories coming emphatically and the losses arriving in gut wrenching fashion.

The 5-2 dismantling of West Ham at Anfield on 28th February was Liverpool at their devastating best, with Hugo Ekitike, Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai all finding the net in a performance that briefly silenced the growing noise around Slot's position. The 1-0 wins at Nottingham Forest and Sunderland either side of that result showcased Liverpool's ability to grind out results away from home when the attacking fireworks refuse to ignite.

But the defeats have been deeply concerning. The 2-1 loss at Wolves on 3rd March, settled by a deflected stoppage time winner, extended Liverpool's alarming record of conceding 90th minute goals this season. And Tuesday's 1-0 Champions League defeat at Galatasaray, where Mario Lemina headed home from a corner after just seven minutes, exposed the set piece vulnerability that has plagued Liverpool all season. Slot acknowledged as much in his Friday press conference, stating that conceding from another set piece was something the club could not accept.

The bright spots have been the FA Cup run, with a 3-0 home win over Brighton in Round 4 and a 3-1 victory at Wolves in Round 5 keeping that route to silverware alive. But the broader pattern is clear: Liverpool are a team capable of beating anyone on their day, yet equally capable of losing to sides they should be dispatching comfortably.

Tottenham Form: Six Straight Defeats and a Club in Crisis

If Liverpool's form has been frustrating, Tottenham's has been catastrophic. Spurs have lost all six of their last matches across all competitions, scoring just eight goals while conceding 17, and they arrive at Anfield without a Premier League victory since the first week of December 2025, a run of 11 league games without a win that represents a club record in the Premier League era.

The decline accelerated under Thomas Frank, who won just two of his 17 league matches before being sacked on 11th February with Spurs already 16th. Igor Tudor's appointment was intended to provide a jolt, but the Croatian has presided over four consecutive defeats, each more alarming than the last. The 1-4 home defeat to Arsenal exposed Spurs' complete inability to defend transitions, the 2-1 loss at Fulham highlighted their fragility away from home, and the 1-3 reverse against Crystal Palace at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium left Tudor visibly shaken on the touchline.

The nadir came on Tuesday night in Madrid, where Atletico demolished Spurs 5-2 in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg. Tudor controversially started backup goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who conceded three goals in 17 minutes before being hooked for Guglielmo Vicario. Spurs were 4-0 down after 22 minutes. Consolation goals from Pedro Porro and Dominic Solanke offered a flicker of defiance, but the evening ended with Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha both suffering a sickening clash of heads in stoppage time, leaving Tottenham to finish the match with nine men. Reports have described the dressing room atmosphere as toxic, with players questioning each other's commitment.

Tudor's Friday press conference struck a defiant tone, insisting that his players could choose to be victims or choose to fight. But the numbers are damning: 14 goals conceded in his four matches, the worst start by any Tottenham manager in the club's history.

Team News & Predicted Lineups

The key question for Slot is the fitness of Alisson Becker, who missed Tuesday's Champions League defeat with a minor muscle issue. Slot was cautiously optimistic on Friday, confirming that the Brazilian was expected to rejoin training but adding that he was not yet certain. If Alisson misses out, Giorgi Mamardashvili will deputise between the posts for the second consecutive match.

Federico Chiesa missed the Galatasaray trip through illness but is expected to return to the squad, most likely as a substitute option. Alexander Isak remains sidelined with the ankle and fibula fracture sustained during the reverse fixture in December, though Slot has indicated the Swedish striker is targeting a return around the March international break. Conor Bradley (knee surgery), Wataru Endo (foot), Giovanni Leoni (ACL) and Stefan Bajcetic (recurring setbacks) are all long term absentees.

Slot also confirmed that 17 year old Rio Ngumoha, who earned man of the match honours in the FA Cup victory over Wolves, is in contention for a starting berth. Slot stated that the teenager could start in one of the upcoming three matches, making him a genuine option on the left wing.

Tottenham's injury crisis has reached almost comical proportions. Tudor confirmed on Friday that Romero and Palhinha are both ruled out after failing to pass concussion protocols following their clash of heads against Atletico. Micky van de Ven is suspended after receiving a red card against Crystal Palace. That leaves Tudor without three of his most important defenders and his most combative midfielder for a trip to one of the toughest grounds in the country.

The long term absentees are extensive: James Maddison (ACL, season ending), Dejan Kulusevski (knee surgery), Wilson Odobert (ACL, season ending), Rodrigo Bentancur (hamstring surgery, targeting April), Ben Davies (ankle), Lucas Bergvall (ankle surgery, late March), Mohammed Kudus (hamstring) and Destiny Udogie (hamstring, potentially close to a return). Yves Bissouma has an unspecified problem and Conor Gallagher was battling a fever on Friday, though Tudor expressed hope that the midfielder would be available.

Kevin Danso, who recently returned from a toe injury but picked up an ankle knock against Atletico, will need to be assessed. If Danso is fit, Tudor will likely deploy a back three of Danso, Radu Dragu\u015Fin and the versatile Archie Gray, who is naturally a midfielder. Djed Spence is likely to fill in at left wing back, operating on his weaker side, which underlines the depth of the personnel crisis.

Head-to-Head: Liverpool's Dominance Is Overwhelming

This fixture holds the record as the highest scoring in Premier League history, with over 209 goals across the two clubs' meetings since 1992. The recent trend has been overwhelmingly one directional, with Liverpool winning four of the last five Premier League encounters and scoring freely in every one of them.

The reverse fixture on 20th December 2025 saw Liverpool win 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike securing the points. That match was overshadowed by Isak's injury, sustained from a reckless challenge, which has kept the £125 million striker sidelined ever since. Spurs finished the game with nine men after red cards for Xavi Simons (a VAR upgraded yellow for a studs up challenge on Van Dijk) and Romero (violent conduct for kicking out at Konaté in stoppage time).

Liverpool's dominance at Anfield against Spurs is particularly stark. The Reds are unbeaten in 14 consecutive home league meetings, winning 10 and drawing four since a 2-0 defeat in May 2011. Last season, Liverpool clinched the Premier League title with a victory over Spurs at Anfield, a memory Slot referenced fondly in Friday's press conference while acknowledging the vast difference between then and now.

Tactical Breakdown: Control vs Chaos

Slot's Liverpool operate in a fluid 4-2-3-1, with the double pivot of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister providing a structural solidity that underpins everything the team does. In build up, one full back tucks inside to create a back three, while the other provides width, allowing Liverpool to control tempo and progress through midfield. The pressing approach under Slot is trigger based rather than constant, with Liverpool waiting for poor touches or sideways passes before engaging aggressively.

One of the most interesting tactical developments this season has been the way opponents have exploited Liverpool's high line. The Reds have faced more long balls than any team in the Premier League this season, with opponents increasingly bypassing the midfield press entirely. This vulnerability was exposed again at Galatasaray, where a simple long ball over the top created the chance that led to the corner from which Liverpool conceded.

Tudor's preferred system is a 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-3, built around aggressive man marking, direct vertical passing and quick transitions. The Croatian has used a back three in the vast majority of his career league matches, and the approach is ideally suited to a team playing on the counter against superior opposition. In theory, Tudor's direct style could trouble Liverpool, whose high line and set piece vulnerability represent genuine weak points. In practice, the personnel available to Tudor makes executing any coherent tactical plan extremely difficult.

The set piece subplot is perhaps the most significant tactical angle in this match. Liverpool's defensive record from set pieces has been among the worst in the league this season, with the Reds conceding a disproportionately high number of goals from corners and free kicks. Slot parted ways with set piece coach Aaron Briggs earlier in the campaign, and while there has been some improvement, the Galatasaray defeat confirmed that the problem persists. Tottenham, conversely, have been one of the league's most potent set piece attacking teams this season, scoring 14 goals from dead ball situations in the Premier League alone, second only to Arsenal. However, the absence of Romero (four headed goals this season) and Van de Ven (four goals) significantly weakens Spurs' aerial threat from those situations.

Key Battles

• Mohamed Salah vs Djed Spence. This is the most significant mismatch in the match. Salah, who ended a 10 game Premier League scoring drought with a goal against Wolves on 3rd March, will face Spence operating at left wing back on his weaker side. Spence has shown defensive vulnerability throughout his Tottenham career, and being asked to contain Salah's movement, directness and finishing quality in a position that is not his natural one represents a monumental task.
• Hugo Ekitike vs Radu Draguşin. Ekitike has been Liverpool's most prolific attacker this season, leading the scoring charts with approximately 11 Premier League goals. His combination of pace, fluidity and genuine presence in the box makes him a nightmare for centre backs, and Draguşin will need to be at his absolute best to contain Liverpool's number 9. Ekitike's ability to drift wide and link play before arriving in the box late adds another dimension that could overwhelm Tottenham's depleted defence.
• Ryan Gravenberch vs Pape Matar Sarr. Gravenberch has been Liverpool's most consistent performer this season, recently signing a six year contract extension that underlines his importance to the project. His ability to progress the ball under pressure, break lines with carrying and dictate tempo will be tested by Sarr, who will likely be tasked with disrupting Liverpool's build up in the absence of both Palhinha and potentially Bissouma. Sarr has shown flashes of quality in a deeply troubled Tottenham squad, but matching Gravenberch's all round influence will be a significant challenge.
• Virgil van Dijk vs Dominic Solanke. Van Dijk has started 29 consecutive matches this season and there have been signs of fatigue, with the Dutchman described as looking leggy during the Galatasaray defeat. Tudor's direct approach, built around long balls and physical hold up play from Solanke, is designed to test centre backs in exactly this manner. Solanke scored against Atletico and has netted in back to back matches, giving him a measure of confidence heading to Anfield.
• Ibrahima Konaté vs Xavi Simons. Simons, the £52 million summer signing from Paris Saint Germain, has been one of the most disappointing signings of the season, managing just one Premier League goal and two assists in 13 appearances. But his technical ability remains undeniable, and if he drifts into pockets of space between Liverpool's midfield and defence, he could cause problems. Konaté's combination of pace and physicality makes him well suited to dealing with Simons' movement, but the Frenchman will need to be alert to the Dutchman's quick feet in tight spaces.

Table Context: Top Four vs Bottom Three

Liverpool sit 6th on 48 points, level with fifth placed Chelsea and three points behind Aston Villa and Manchester United, who are tied on 51 in 3rd and 4th respectively. With England likely to receive five Champions League spots next season based on the UEFA coefficient, finishing fifth would be sufficient for qualification. A win on Sunday would lift Liverpool level with the top four and, depending on other results, potentially into the top four itself, which would be a significant psychological boost heading into the Galatasaray second leg.

Arsenal lead the table with 67 points from 30 games, with Manchester City second on 60. Liverpool's title defence is effectively over at 19 points adrift, meaning the Champions League spots and the FA Cup represent Slot's only routes to a successful season.

For Tottenham, every match is now a relegation fixture in all but name. Spurs are 16th on 29 points, one point above Nottingham Forest and West Ham (both 28). Burnley (19) and Wolves (16) look increasingly cut adrift at the bottom, but the battle to avoid the third relegation spot is very much alive. West Ham face Manchester City on Saturday evening before this match kicks off, meaning Spurs could enter the fixture inside the bottom three if results go against them. Tottenham have not played in England's second tier since 1977-78, and the mere prospect of relegation for a club of this stature is extraordinary.

Referee Watch: Chris Kavanagh

Chris Kavanagh has been appointed to referee Sunday's match, with John Brooks on VAR duty. Kavanagh is one of the most experienced officials on the Premier League roster, having taken charge of over 180 top flight matches across his career.

His disciplinary record shows a career average of approximately 3.65 yellow cards per game across all competitions, which places him around the league average for Premier League referees. He has shown 28 straight red cards and awarded 80 penalties in 322 career matches, equating to roughly one penalty every four games.

Liverpool have an excellent record under Kavanagh. The Reds have won 17 of 25 matches officiated by the Manchester based referee and have averaged just 1.44 yellow cards per game under his watch, suggesting a disciplined record in his fixtures. Liverpool have never received a red card from Kavanagh. For Tottenham, the record is more mixed, though Spurs fans may recall fondly his appointment for their 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in September 2024, a match in which Kavanagh sent off Bruno Fernandes.

Given the current state of both squads, the card count could be significant. Tottenham's defensive fragility may lead to tactical fouling to disrupt Liverpool's transitions, while the emotional intensity of a relegation threatened side visiting a European contender raises the possibility of flashpoints.

The Bottom Line

Every measurable indicator points to a Liverpool victory. Form, fitness, depth, home record, head to head history and statistical models all favour Slot's side heavily. A win would move the Reds level with or into the top four and provide crucial momentum before Wednesday's Champions League second leg against Galatasaray.

But two factors prevent this from being entirely straightforward. First, Liverpool's set piece vulnerability remains a genuine route to goal for Tottenham, even with their depleted squad. Spurs have scored 14 Premier League set piece goals this season, and even without their primary aerial threats in Romero and Van de Ven, dead ball situations represent their best hope of getting something from this match. Second, Liverpool's inconsistency this season, highlighted by the loss at Wolves and the habit of conceding late goals, means that complacency would be dangerous.

For Tottenham, this fixture is less about tactics and more about character. Tudor has spoken repeatedly about choosing to fight rather than choosing to be a victim, and the reality is that Spurs need points from somewhere to pull away from the relegation zone. The run of fixtures after Anfield offers more winnable games, with Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Brighton to come, but arriving at those matches on the back of a seventh consecutive defeat would make the psychological challenge even greater.

The deeper story of this match is how two of England's most storied clubs arrived at this point. Liverpool spent £269 million in the summer and are scrambling for a top five finish. Tottenham are on their third manager of the season and staring at the possibility of dropping out of the top flight for the first time in nearly 50 years. Sunday's result will matter, but the questions both clubs need to answer extend far beyond 90 minutes at Anfield.