Tottenham host Liverpool in Carabao Cup semi-final – follow live

Two years earlier, they came closer than anyone arguably ever has, reaching the penultimate game of the campaign with a chance of four trophies. They ended 2021-22, however, without the two biggest prizes: runners-up in the Premier League, they became beaten finalists in the Champions League.

Tottenham are still without a number of key players in their squad and Ange Postecoglou was asked if he had any positive news to share about those out with injuries.

The Australian replied: “It depends, net wise we are still down. We will get Bentancur back, but we lose Maddison and Pape Sarr by suspension, so couple of numbers down there.

“In terms of the injuries, no-one is back. Mikey (Moore) could potentially be available to be on the bench. Everyone else from the weekend certainly feels better, Radu (Dragusin) has recovered, Archie (Gray) is better. They were the main ones.

“Deki (Kulusevski) was under the weather, but he’s good. So, pretty much as it was on the weekend, plus Bentancur, minus the other two.”

Ange Postecoglou admitted that Tottenham’s form in the Premier League was awful and says he is looking forward to an exciting match in a different competition tonight.

Speaking ahead of the game the Tottenham manager said: “Our league results have been poor, there is no hiding from that. It is a separate competition. We have done well to get to the semi-final stage.

“We’ve beaten both Manchester clubs to do that. It hasn’t been an easy road to the semi-finals. We’ve got an opponent that has been the standout team in all competitions. So it is a great test for us, but it is a semi-final first leg and should be exciting. I am looking forward to it.

“That’s the case, irrespective of how you play. There is a second leg to be played. That doesn’t change our approach. We’re at home and in a two-legged affair, if you can get some kind of advantage in your home game, you are set up pretty well, so that’s what we will try to do.”

The Liverpool boss spoke about what he is expecting from tonight’s match especially after watching his team defeat Spurs 6-3 in the Premier League a few weeks ago.

Slot said: “I think what we expect before we go into the game is that two teams have such a clear identity and playing style, that is I think what most people expect to see again as well.

“They have their identity, we have our own identity, and both teams trying to force that identity towards the other. Large parts of the away game two weeks ago, we could show our identity.

“But there were definitely also parts in the game where they showed how good of a team they are. Scoring three goals against us is also an accomplishment. I know we scored six in the game as well but scoring three against us, not many teams have done [that] until now.”

It’s a week where only four Premier League teams have double fixtures, so it consequently becomes a little double-edged. Although the Carabao Cup semi-final managers are at a stage of the season where their squads could badly do with time to breathe, the fact they are so close to Wembley means they feel they have little choice but to go all in. There’s a trophy to be won.

That just means they lose a little bit of ground on, well, the training ground after the hectic December schedule. It’s perhaps just as well for Mikel Arteta and Arne Slot, in particular, that they have the FA Cup rather than Premier League at the weekend. We can expect some drastically changed sides.

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou decided not to reveal if new signing Antonin Kinsky would play a part in tonight’s league cup match against Liverpool

“We’ll see,” Postecoglou said, when asked if the 21-year-old stopper will make his Spurs.

“He obviously arrived Sunday, he’s had a couple of days of training and he’s registered and eligible to play. We’ve still got to do a couple of final things with him and then we’ll see.”

The Liverpool manager was asked in his pre-match press conference yesterday whether he was likely to make any changes to his starting XI.

He said: “I think if you look at all the fixtures we’ve had this season, there are so many things going into a line-up – short term, long term, qualities of the opponent, where are my players [at]?

“So, it’s going to always be a decision made about, in our opinion, the best line-up for tomorrow. In some situations, for Southampton away or other games, in my opinion the best line-up was the ones that didn’t start a lot.

“Let’s see what that is tomorrow for the game we play against Tottenham.”

Expect both teams to make changes to their starting XI without sacrificing the quality of their line-ups that much.

Spurs and Liverpool will both have players capable on winning this game but the Reds will be the more confident side and if they get off to a strong start should have the quality to go on to win.

Ange Postecoglou will have his sights set on this trophy and knows that being at home gives his players an advantage. He’ll set Tottenham up to attack so expect a high scoring affair.

Arne Slot was hopeful on match eve that Dominik Szoboszlai would be able to feature after missing the Manchester United draw through illness, though the midfielder is unlikely to start.

Amid a busy period, Slot may rest a couple of regular starters as he manages his squad.

Predicted Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Konate, Tsimikas; Elliott, Endo, Jones; Chiesa, Nunez, Jota.

Tottenham’s defensive problems show few signs of easing with a makeshift backline again likely to be fielded.

New signing Antonin Kinsky has been cleared to feature after receiving a work permit and will contest the starting goalkeeper’s shirt with Brandon Austin, who made a long-awaited senior debut on Saturday. James Maddison is suspended.

Predicted Tottenham XI: Austin; Pedro Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bissouma, Bentancur; Johnson, Kulusevski, Son; Solanke.