Tottenham Hotspur host Liverpool in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final this Wednesday, but they are still expected to be without a number of first-team players.
Tottenham’s grueling campaign so far has been marked by persistent and crippling injuries, with Ange Postecoglou’s options remaining extremely limited ahead of the visit to Liverpool. The defense has been the hardest hit by fitness issues in recent months, but there are absentees across the squad.
Spurs need to end a 17-year trophy drought this term and Wednesday will be their chance to step into the Carabao Cup final. However, injuries and a talented Liverpool side will have to overcome hurdles to qualify for this marquee event.
The following Tottenham players were absent from Wednesday’s match against Liverpool:
Cristian Romero still missing for Spurs/Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Tottenham will only have one member of their first-choice back five on Wednesday night, with Pedro Polo the last man remaining at right-back. Other centre-backs are Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies, while Destiny Oudogie is currently out for an extended period with a hamstring injury.
To make matters worse, the Spurs are currently without their primary goaltender. Guglielmo Vicario has been missing since late November, with his replacement Fraser Foster also battling illness. Third-choice Brandon Austin made his debut in the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United at the weekend.
However, Spurs signed a new goalkeeper in the first week of the January transfer window, bringing in youngster Antonin Kinski from Slavia Prague. He is available and eligible to play against Liverpool.
James Madison missing due to suspension/Crystal Pix/MB Media/GettyImages
Fortunately for Postecoglou, Tottenham have no injury problems in midfield, but will be without James Maddison and Papu Matar Sarr on Wednesday night. Both players received one-match suspensions after receiving two yellow cards in the previous round of the Carabao Cup.
The good news is that Rodrigo Bentancur has returned from his Premier League suspension, which saw him miss Saturday’s game against the Magpies. He is likely to partner Yves Bissouma in the center of the park, while teenager Lukas Bergvall could earn further minutes with a start at the weekend.
Richarlison returns to training but misses / Visionhaus/GettyImages
Tottenham may be looking to add more attacking depth in January, with Richarlison recently returning to training after previously being sidelined. The Brazilian is yet to start in the Premier League this season due to ongoing fitness issues and will be sidelined on Wednesday as his hamstring issue has not yet fully recovered. .
Summer signing Wilson Odbert has been out since October with a similar injury, and the former Burnley forward will miss the visit to Liverpool. However, there is a possibility that young Mikey Moore, who has been sidelined with illness since early November, could join the squad.
player
situation
Guglielmo Vicario
outside
fraser foster
doubt
mickey van de ven
outside
Cristian Romero
outside
ben davis
outside
Destiny Udogie
outside
james madison
Paused
Pape Matar Saal
Paused
Richarlison
outside
Wilson Odbert
outside
mikey moore
doubt
