Left Back a Problem for Tottenham Hotspur ahead of Liverpool

A position that has been a strength for most of the year for Tottenham Hotspur, left back, is suddenly a problem only a day ahead of Liverpool. While most fans saw Ben Davies exit Spurs game against Wycombe early with something that did not feel right, recent reports of an injury to Sergio Reguilón could be a devastating blow ahead of a class with Liverpool. With Reguilón seemingly hurt and Ben Davies potentially unavailable as well, what are the options for Tottenham at left back versus Liverpool.

Tottenham have More No’s than Yes’ at Left Back

At this point, there are actually more players we know are probably not going to play left back for Tottenham against Liverpool than there are potential players to fill the role. Assuming reports on Reguilón are accurate and if Ben Davies is a no-go as well. Options are not that great for a replacement in the starting XI.

The first name that comes to mind is Ryan Sessegnon. However, the young left back is on loan and is himself hurt at current. Sessegnon has missed the last four games straight in league for Hoffenheim which is too bad, as he was really starting to kick on. Injured and on loan, Sessegnon is not a real option for immediate cover for Spurs.

There is Danny Rose, however, without a squad number and having not trained with the senior team in nearly a year, Rose is really not an option. It is unfortunate how things have gone with Danny but such is football and his situation means he is not an option either.

At this point, it seems the top three choices from last season, Davies, Sessegnon, and Rose may not be options. Sergio Reguilon is hurt, so that leaves Spurs in a bit of a jam.

José Mourinho has two choices go young or out of position

When looking across the senior roster there is not another natural left back in the squad. While several of the Spurs defenders can and have played left-sided center-half, or even left back in a back three there is not another recognized left fullback on the roster, so what can Spurs do.

Japhet Tanganga

The first choice and most likely would be Japhet Tanganga. The young defender is a utility player of sorts who has played in almost all the positions across the backline. Tanganga played 45 minutes against Wycombe before coming off from right back for Pierre Højbjerg to come on and Moussa Sissoko moved to back. Whether  Tanganga was given some extra rest with Thursday in mind or it was a tactical change we do not know. What we do know is that the young defender has the trust of José Mourinho and has started against Liverpool before, just not at left back.

Moussa Sissoko

Like Japhet Tanganga, Moussa Sissoko is a jack of all trades kind of player. Adequate at most skills and duties across the pitch, Sissoko can pinch hit in any number of positions on the field. With the exception of goalkeeper we have probably seen Sissoko do it for Spurs too. However, left back – particularly against Liverpool – is going to take a lot of discipline and playing a midfielder, even one who can do it all like Sissoko seems a gamble.

Joe Rodon

Joe Rodon played the left back in a back three in Spurs last Premier League game against Sheffield United. Rodon played well and showed he can defend well in space and in tight quarters. How that work in a back three would translate into a back four remains to be seen. While Spurs could opt for the back three – it was successful against Sheffield – given Liverpool attack with three players, having a fourth defender to avoid being constantly 1-on-1 in defense is probably a better idea, so maybe Rodon does get the call. He is the one who subbed on for Davies at the death against Wycombe.

Aurier or Doherty?

Although neither played in the last match against Wycombe and both are recovering from being out themselves, whichever of Serge Aurier or Matt Doherty is NOT playing right back could in theory play left back. While neither has shown a great deal of use with his left foot for Tottenham, as natural fullbacks they could do the job. In fact Doherty has been forced to the left side with Ireland from time-to-time himself, so this could happen.

Dennis Cirkin

Speaking of Ireland, maybe the longest shot of all to start the match would be 18-year-old Irishman Dennis Cirkin. Cirkin was on the bench for the visits to Antwerp and Ludogorets in Europa League, but has not gotten a ton of minutes overall this season. Playing only 5 matches in the Premier League 2, it is debatable if Cirkin is in the right match fitness to play at the Premier League level right now. That said, he could end up on the bench as the only natural left back left of the bunch.

What will Mourinho and Tottenham do?

Our guess here at HotspurHQ is that Tottenham uses Japhet Tanganga at left back as Joe Rodon is already going to be starting at right center half and Spurs are going to stick with four in the back. Expect some extra help on that side of the field meaning there may be more of Steven Bergwijn and Lucas Moura on the left, with Heung-Min Son staying on the right to stay further up the pitch.

Regardless of what Tottenham does, potentially losing both left backs just prior to this stretch can negatively impact the squad. Then again, if someone steps up and does the job, maybe the team just got that much deeper. Either way we are going to know soon enough because whoever Spurs line up Liverpool is coming to town.