Winks, Dele start in midfield for Tottenham against Liverpool

After two weeks without a match and in the process of recovering from as many as nine positive Covid tests, Tottenham is back in action with Dele and Winks in the midfield.

It has been a long, long two weeks for Tottenham Hotspur fans and likely even a longer wait for the players. After last playing a full two weeks ago today, Spurs are finally back in action at home against Liverpool. With the team still recovering from a serious Covid outbreak in the club, Antonio Conte was expected to and has rotated the team and likely has a new formation.

Tottenham in a 3-5-2 for Liverpool

If you look at Tottenham’s starting line-up today, you see a few changes, as Oliver Skipp, Sergio Reguilon, and Lucas Moura are all starting from the bench. Further, Pierre Hojbjerg is not even in the squad, as the Dane is presumably still recovering.

This means Tottenham has a makeshift midfield with Dele Alli and Harry Winks playing the base for Spurs.

Additionally, with Moura out, it appears Tottenham is playing with only two strikers, Harry Kane and Heung-min Son, with Tanguy Ndombele presumably under both in more of an attacking midfield role.

It seems unlikely Ndombele would play as a forward, which is why the formation change is likely in order.

Regular back three for Spurs

The good news for Tottenham is despite changes elsewhere the back three defenders are the three most would have expected with Cristian Romero still out injured. Ben Davies, Eric Dier, and Davinson Sanchez have made a formidable backline over the last couple of matches and can hopefully carry that success against a strong Liverpool attack.

Liverpool missing some starts too

Tottenham is not the only short-handed team taking the pitch in north London. As you look at the Liverpool line-up, while the attack looks good, Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Thiago, and Jordan Henderson are all absent from the Reds line-up.

With Salah, Jota, and Mane up front, the Reds still have plenty of firepower, however, a Liverpool defence without van Dijk has to be some time that has Harry Kane and company somewhat excited for the match-up.

Regardless of who plays for either team, Spurs fans are likely happy just to have a game to watch, although a win would be a whole lot nicer.