After two weeks without football, a recovering Tottenham Hotspur hopes to face Liverpool on Sunday, here are the XI Spurs are likely to start.
It has been a month of starts and stops for Tottenham Hotspur who have started to get players back after having up to nine first-team players out for Covid at some point over the last two weeks. After having had three consecutive games postponed in all competitions, Spurs are hoping to be the last team to reach 15 matches this season against Liverpool on Sunday.
Liverpool is not a great opponent for Spurs after this layoff but the Reds have their own health issues, which may leave Jurgen Klopp’s side a bit short-handed on Sunday. Regardless of who Liverpool do or do not have, Antonio Conte and Tottenham will be picking their side based on health and availability, which means some big names on the bench as potentially impact substitutes. Here is our projected XI starting with the forwards.
Tottenham projected forwards
The one name that has not been mentioned as testing positive for Covid-19 and the one name Conte most needs to get going, Harry Kane is available, however, his running mates are likely to be new.
Left forward – Giovani Lo Celso
After having not featured much under Conte – mostly due to injury – Argentine Giovani Lo Celso finally gets a chance to start under the Italian gaffer. Lo Celso is best in a forward position that asks him to apply pressure in space and then look to attack quickly. Lo Celso has done well in advanced positions for Argentina, it is time to bring that form to his club.
Centre forward – Harry Kane
Fortunately, Harry Kane seems to have escaped the Covid bug to date and should be fit and ready for Liverpool. What Conte and Spurs need, however, is to have Kane firing, his 1 goal thus far in the campaign is certainly a story of the season thus far, particularly given Kane lead the league last season. There is no better time to get back in the goals than against one of the title favorites.
Right forward – Steven Bergwijn
Steven Bergwijn is arguably a better attacker from the left but trying to get both he and Lo Celso playing together means some sacrifices. Like Lo Celso, Bergwijn has barely featured under Conte with both injury and illness playing a part. Rumours are Bergwijn may be on the way out, whether out or in, Stevie needs to perform to get any attention, Sunday is a big chance to do that.
Tottenham projected midfield
Like with the forwards, Spurs are likely going to have some rotation in the midfield as players have had both illness and injury.
Left wingback – Ryan Sessegnon
Sergio Reguilon was not one of those with Covid, however, the Spaniard did pick up a knock in Spurs’ last outing two weeks ago. Although Reguilon has returned to training with the first team, to think he will be ready to jump out and provide the kind of minutes necessary on Sunday seems a stretch. Instead, Ryan Sessegnon gets another chance to show he has a future with Spurs. Sessegnon has done okay off the bench but not well in his one start, Sunday will be chance two.
Central midfield – Harry Winks
With Oliver Skipp one of those returning from Covid, it makes sense to have Harry Winks take over for Skipp. Winks has made a couple of starts under Conte, including one in the league when Skipp was suspended and has done okay. If Harry can find an eye for the forward pass again, he can be a contributor to the Tottenham team.
Central midfield – Tanguy Ndombele
We have not heard anything about Pierre Hojbjerg, which leads you to believe he will start Sunday. However, the big Danish midfielder was notably absent from the photography provided by the club of Friday’s training sessions. If Hojbjerg was not available for training on Friday it seems unlikely he will be available for the game. With Skipp also out, Tanguy Ndombele finally gets a chance in a big moment under Antonio Conte.
Right wingback – Emerson Royal
Although Emerson Royal is one of the players returning from illness, he was also one of the first to come down ill. Royal missed Spurs last match against Norwich two weeks ago and has had what should be sufficient time to recover. Although Matt Doherty could get the call, Royal provides more for Spurs on both ends and if he is available, he is going to get the nod.
Projecting the Tottenham defence
Defensively Spurs are still without Sergio Romero, although base on pictures it seems like all the other defenders are back and available.
Left back – Japhet Tanganga
If Ben Davies is fully fit, then the Welshman gets the nod over Tanganga. However, Davies likely falls in the category of players able to give a good 30 minutes versus 60, meaning Conte needs to look elsewhere. While Joe Rodon is not a bad choice, Tanganga’s flexibility and versatility get him the call to face Mo Salah.
Centre-back – Eric Dier
At this point under Conte, Dier is nearly as automatic on the teamsheet as Harry Kane. Playing a defensive role that suits his skills on the ball and ability to read the game, Dier has been excellent since the Italian took over. Spurs are going to need all of his excellence on Sunday against a Liverpool team that has scored 47 goals in just 17 matches.
Right-back – Davinson Sanchez
This probably would be Sergio Romero, however, the Argentine defender is out until 2022 and frankly, Davinson Sanchez has performed well under Conte. Sanchez has all the physical tools and pedigree to be a top-notch defender, he just has yet to put it all together. Maybe Conte unlocks that potential. Regardless, Sanchez goes against Liverpool on Sunday.
Goalkeeper – Hugo Lloris
Like Harry Kane and Eric Dier, one name that is undeniable on Spurs teamsheet is Hugo Lloris. Reports are starting to come out that Lloris and the club are starting to talk extension. Even just one more year would be a good move for Spurs who needs Hugo’s leadership following this tough period.
Full Tottenham XI and Substitutes
The Tottenham XI is very familiar in some areas and very much in flux in others but such is football under Covid right now. Let’s just hope these XI and the nine on the pine below are all actually available and we finally see another Spurs game.
Spurs have a solid bench supporting this team with a number of regular starters, like Heung-min Son, Lucas Moura, and Oliver Skipp all on the bench as alternatives. Those three are likely to be joined by Bryan Gil, Ben Davies, Joe Rodon, Sergio Reguilon, Dele Alli, and Alfie Whiteman.
Spurs starters
Lloris – Tanganga – Dier – Sanchez – Sessegnon – Winks – Ndombele – Royal – Lo Celso – Kane – Bergwijn
Spurs substitutes
Whiteman – Reguilon – Davies – Rodon – Skipp – Gil – Dele – Moura – Son
That is our Spurs XX for Liverpool, who do you think will start for Tottenham?