Ange Postecoglou has confirmed Heung-min Son will not be back in time for Tottenham Hotspur ’s trip to Liverpool on Sunday.
Spurs head to Anfield on a dire run of form and have lost four of the last five in the Premier League. Tottenham hasn’t beaten a side outside of the relegation zone since mid-February and it feels incredibly unlikely the London club will stop Liverpool being crowned Premier League champions at Anfield. Arne Slot ’s men need just a point to secure top spot.
Injuries have often been used to explain the team’s poor form this season - it was certainly a huge talking point before the Carabao Cup semi-final meetings in the winter - but Spurs only have two current injuries. Radu Dragusin won’t feature again this season due to an ACL injury, and Son is the only other absentee.
The South Korean, who has managed just seven league goals this season, has missed the last three games due to a knock and Postecoglou confirmed on Friday that run will stretch to four matches.
“Sonny is improving which is a positive for us, not for Sunday,” said the under-fire Australian. “Everyone else from the last game is fine. We'll see [if Son will be ready for Thursday]. First time on the grass today and he said it felt better.
Asked if Son needs rest or treatment, Postecoglou replied: “A bit of both. The foot element because it is weight bearing you just need to give him some rest and some time off it and give him some treatment. The main thing is to get him off his feet for a week and allow it to settle so he can start the process of getting back.
“Squad wise, there's no change,” the Spurs boss added on the squad’s fitness. “All the guys got through [Monday’s game] okay. In terms of rehab, Sonny's the only one who is going through that process, improving, but not ready for Sunday.”
Sitting 16th in the table and with little to play for in the league, Spurs’ season may rest on the Europa League and whether they can win the trophy and secure a spot in the Champions League next season.
“Again, with the programme we have coming up, Thursday obviously is a big night for us, so it will be a matter of playing a few that need the game time and others we feel may need less exposure, we'll have a look at that,” said Postecoglou.