Boost for Postecoglou as Tottenham duo in contention to face Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is preparing for what could be the most crucial match of the season as his squad travels to Anfield for the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool.
Holding a 1-0 advantage from the first leg, thanks to Lucas Bergvall’s late winner, Spurs must brace for a fierce comeback attempt from Arne Slot’s side. The pressure is immense, with a place in the final at stake, and Postecoglou knows his team must deliver a top performance to secure their spot at Wembley.
The North London club made key additions before the January transfer window closed, strengthening both ends of the pitch.
Defensive reinforcements arrived in the form of Kevin Danso, who joined on loan from RC Lens, while the club pulled off a surprising deadline-day coup by securing a temporary move for Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich.
Both signings add quality and depth, but with limited time to integrate into the squad, their impact in this crucial fixture remains uncertain.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Postecoglou confirmed that both new arrivals are available for selection against Liverpool. He stated that everyone from last week remains fit and that Danso and Tel have trained with the squad, though no other injured players will return in time for the match.
With injuries piling up, including the recent loss of Radu Dragusin to a season-ending setback, Tottenham’s options remain limited, making team selection a challenging puzzle.
Postecoglou also confirmed that Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero would miss the game, a significant blow to the team’s defensive structure.
Rather than risk further disappointment, the manager chose to focus on the players available, meaning Spurs will likely rely on a makeshift defensive pairing.
Given Danso’s limited training sessions, Archie Gray seems set to start alongside Ben Davies in central defense. Their ability to withstand Liverpool’s relentless attacking threat will be vital in determining the outcome of the match.
In attack, Tel is expected to start on the bench, with Postecoglou likely to deploy Son Heung-min, Richarlison, and Dejan Kulusevski as his front three.
This trio carries the responsibility of breaking down a well-organized Liverpool defense, and they must capitalize on any scoring opportunities. Efficiency in front of goal could be the defining factor in whether Spurs secure their place in the final or fall victim to Liverpool’s resurgence.
The significance of this match cannot be overstated. A win or even a draw would send Tottenham to the Carabao Cup final, where they would face either Newcastle United or Arsenal.
The players must give everything on the pitch to ensure their journey continues, knowing that the opportunity to end the club’s long-standing trophy drought is within reach. With Wembley just one step away, Spurs must rise to the occasion and deliver a performance worthy of a cup final contender.