Tottenham Hotspur Projected XI for Liverpool on Thursday
By Aaron Coe
Tottenham Defense and Goalkeeper
Tottenham had a full back four and a keeper on Monday against Wycombe and chances are none of the four will be playing on Thursday against Liverpool. Unless Serge Aurier has more of a knock than we know and Japhet Tanganga somehow retains his place, we will see a complete new four from the backline protecting Joe Hard on Monday.
Sergio Reguilón (LB)
While the hope is that there is nothing serious ailing Ben Davies, the fact is he came off a bit early on Monday. The fact he came off early and that Spurs have rotated between Davies and Reguilón for much of the season leads us to believe this is Reguilón’s time. The Spaniard has looked good the last few times out, but is really going to have his hands full between Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold bursting up the right flank.
Eric Dier (CB)
Eric Dier got the entire night off on Monday and that was likely to just get the center back a bit more rest before Liverpool kicks off another run of matches. Dier has been the most consistent left-sided center-half all season and has done well leading the line overall. He will need to be extra alert with the movement of the Liverpool front three, but that is why he got the extra rest.
Joe Rodon (CB)
We saw Joe Rodon make a brief appearance on Monday evening. It seemed Rodon was coming on for someone else, but after Ben Davies went down and asked out Rodon went in to aid the backline. Joe is big, strong, and fast something Spurs will need against Liverpool. As Rodon and Sanchez – barring a player being moved – continue to battle for the last spot on the Europa League roster, this is a big, big opportunity for Joe Rodon to start.
Serge Aurier (RB)
Serge Aurier was healthy enough to be named to the substitutes bench for the Wycome game so there is no reasons to believe he would miss this Liverpool match-up. Aurier has been the better of the two between he and Matt Doherty. While the decision making can sometimes be suspect the energy and effort never are.
Hugo Lloris (GK)
With what might be the biggest league game to date this season in the offing the club Captain is there to lead the backline between the pipes. Lloris was needed to make a miraculous save against Liverpool last time out and he could not do it. While a bit unfair Hugo’s role is to stop everything he is supposed too and even a bit of what he is not. And as much as the shot stopping, Spurs need some quality distribution from Lloris to boot.