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Ex-Tottenham defender Pascal Chimbonda has revealed Juande Ramos' diet rules were not the hardest thing to deal with during his tenure.

The former Spurs full-back made 36 appearances under the Spaniard, whose bans on sugar, juice and sauce on meals gave him something of an authoritarian label.

Ramos guided Spurs to their last major trophy as they beat Chelsea in the 2008 League Cup final.

Chimbonda started at Wembley Stadium as his side came from behind to win 2-1 after extra-time.

The trophy came just four months after Ramos' arrival in north London in October 2007.

The secret to Ramos' success could've been down to the string of changes to the diets of the Spurs squad after feeling he had inherited a team of overweight stars.

For Chimbonda, though, the language barrier was a bigger issue than being told what he could eat with Ramos only speaking Spanish to his players.

The 45-year-old told Inside Spurs: "The assistant coach was speaking English so I think it was more easy to communicate with the players because he was full Spanish. I don’t even think he wanted to speak English, you know.

"So yes it’s hard when you can’t talk, communicate with your manager, with your own players and bring your assistant coach to communicate.

"I think it’s something hard because you don’t have the privacy. If you want to speak to the coach privately you don’t have the privacy with it."

As for the diet, he explained: "When we say some player is overweight and we have to do the diet on some players so he banned ketchup and sometimes banned sauce. You eat like dry rice."

But the Frenchman also admitted the diet was a real struggle, adding: "You see like no sauce, you eat your chicken dry. Wow.

"It was hard but as a footballer if you’re happy on the pitch it doesn’t matter what’s going on outside."

Ramos was ultimately sacked in October 2008 after a year in charge. with Chimbonda having already left the club for Sunderland.

However, he would later return under Ramos' replacement Harry Redknapp for a brief second spell.

Across his two stints with Spurs, Chimbonda made 103 appearances, scoring four goals from right-back.

The League Cup triumph remains a highlight for Chimbonda, who added: "When you’re a player, you’re playing to win trophies, titles, you know what I mean and like I said our season was so bad and you know we were 14th I think.

"We weren't playing well, getting battered every time we go play and we were in a final.

"We said ‘let’s give everything, let’s do everything to win,’ because the game before we beat Arsenal 5-1.

"The confidence was there and we go higher to the final and played in the new Wembley as well. Wembley was everything, it was a big, big game and we won the trophy.

"Chelsea at the time was big... but when you play football it’s 11 men against 11 men. No fear.

"That guy doesn’t have anything different than I've got. He’s a man like me. We get everything the same so we go play and we win.

"You know, we were losing 1-0 but we keep believing in ourselves, we keep believing in all the players we’ve got and we did it."

Chimbonda is still currently playing in non-league for 10th tier Skelmersdale United.

King Charles III left Tottenham captain Heung-Min Son in an awkward position during a short exchange between the pair.

The royal was in attendance at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium to highlight the club’s partnership with the NFL and its positive socio-economic impact on the local community.

On arrival, the King was greeted by locals before entering the stadium where he met men’s team captain Son and women' s skipper Bethany England.

Although the monarch could only enjoy a short interaction with the South Korean, his line of questioning caused an awkward moment.

Son, accompanied by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was asked about the club’s current plight.

The clip, that has since surfaced on social media, sees the King ask Son: “So who are you playing this weekend then?”

The Tottenham forward replied: “We are going to play against United... Manchester United. On Sunday”.

Charles then asked: “Have you got a good chance?,” to which Son responded with: “I hope so”.

The King probed further asking: “Is the team in good order at the moment?”

A sheepish-looking Son answered: “We are in a difficult moment but we are working hard.”

The hard-to-watch exchange saw Levy broadly smiling in the background as his captain did his best to entertain the King.

Son has been unable to reach his previous heights this season having netted just six goals in 21 Premier League appearances.

Ange Postecoglou’s side have struggled for form in a season hampered by ongoing injuries to key players.

Spurs are on a torrid run of one win in eight Premier League games while recent exits in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup have piled the pressure on Postecoglou.

Tottenham are 14th in the table and a whopping 16 points adrift of fourth placed Chelsea.

Spurs' objectives for the season were to break into the top four and secure a place in next season’s Champions League – something that now appears unlikely.

Their hopes of ending a 17-year wait for silverware now rest on success in the Europa League with Spurs currently the bookies favourites to win the competition.

Success in Bilbao in May would also see Postecoglou’s side claim an unlikely place in next year’s Champions League while the Australian would have kept his vow of winning a trophy in his second season.

If he is to steer Spurs to success this season then he will have to do it the hard way, and that means winning the fans over again.

Sunday’s FA Cup defeat at Aston Villa saw fans display their anger at Postecogolou while chanting for Levy to leave the club.

However, the former Celtic boss will welcome the imminent returns of defensive pairing Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven following injury.

In attack, Postecoglou should soon see summer signing Dominic Solanke return alongside long-term casualty Wilson Odobert.

The key to Spurs’ European hopes and Postecoglou's long-term future lies on whether they can avoid recurring injuries in the business end of the season.

Harry Kane would never leave Bayern Munich to sign for Arsenal.

That's the view of former teammate Aaron Lennon who has first-hand knowledge of Kane’s affection for the north London club.

The England captain is once again showing his worth for Bayern having netted a staggering 29 goals in as many games this season.

His latest goal was the winner in the 2-1 Champions League play-off round victory at Celtic on Wednesday.

Details of Kane’s apparent release fee clause were made available this week with the figure now set at £67million – a fee that could have been activated in the January transfer window.

The news coincides with a potential season-ending injury to Arsenal’s Kai Havertz while Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are also out injured.

The triple blow could prove fatal for Arsenal and their outside chance of pipping Liverpool to this season’s Premier League title.

Arsenal’s hopes of bolstering their attack ahead of next season’s assault on the title may prove frustrating with a lack of top-class strikers on the market.

One striker that could be available is Kane, however his affiliation with Spurs could prove to be a stumbling block for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

Kane is Tottenham’s all-time leading goalscorer with 280 goals in 435 games and despite Darren Bent insisting he would like to see Kane at Arsenal, Lennon says there is little chance of it materialising.

“I’m not buying that, not a chance in the world Harry Kane goes to Arsenal,” Lennon told talkSPORT.

“I think he goes to a better club (when he leaves Bayern) or he finishes his career back at Spurs. There’s no chance he goes to Arsenal, can you imagine what that would do? (to the Tottenham fans)”

There is no love lost between Kane and Arsenal. The striker has netted 15 times against his former foes including a penalty at the Emirates in last season’s Champions League quarter-final victory.

If Kane made the controversial decision to move to Arsenal, comparisons would initially be drawn to Sol Campbell’s infamous free transfer from Spurs to Arsenal in 2001.

Even 24 years on from his move across north London, Campbell is still ridiculed by Tottenham fans who were quick to label him with the nickname ‘Judas’.

Lennon saw first hand what it was like to witness Campbell’s return to Tottenham as an Arsenal player, something he describes as hatred.

“I remember playing in a couple of games when Sol came back, they were a couple of my early derbies.” Lennon added.

“I remember being in the warm up and thinking what are these boos that are going on? Big Sol came jogging out and I was like ‘wow’.

“He’s hated like you wouldn’t believe.”

For now, any notion of Kane leaving is merely hypothetical particularly as he remains Bayern’s primary source of goals.

Kane has also expressed his happiness at life in the Bundesliga with his well-documented trophy drought set to finally end.

"What I can say is that I'm very happy at FC Bayern. No comment on the clause,” he told Sky Germany.

Following Wednesday’s win at Celtic, he added: "I think whenever you win a game like this you can always be pleased because it's not an easy place to come.

"There were plenty of areas in the game where we could have done better and need to improve on for next week.

"Overall we scored at the right times; just before and after half-time. Obviously it's a shame to concede a goal but it put us under pressure towards the end so we had to stay strong.

"We did that well and we're happy to take the lead back to our home (Allianz Arena) next week.”

Tottenham are set to be handed a huge injury boost as the club return to Premier League action against Manchester United.

Spurs' hopes of ending their 17-year trophy hoodoo suffered a double blow last week following two cup exits in the space of four days.

Ange Postecoglou's side were dumped out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa on Sunday following a 2-1 defeat - their sixth loss of 2025 from 11 matches.

That ensured the north Londoners have no chance of reaching Wembley this season, having bowed out of the Carabao Cup semi-finals toLiverpool days prior.

Tottenham's incredible injury crisis has compounded the club's misery, but light is thought to be at the end of the tunnel.

A rare highlight from the season was the reverse fixture at the end of September, where Spurs ran out 3-0 winners at Old Trafford.

Another victory this weekend would at least see Postecoglou's men leapfrog the Red Devils in the bottom half of the table.

Tottenham team news

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has been out injured since fracturing his ankle in the 4-0 win against Manchester City on November 23.

In the 12 Premier League matches Vicario has missed, Spurs have lost on eight occasions - conceding 24 goals - resulting in them slipping down into 14th spot.

Czech Antonin Kinsky has been deputising in his absence following his arrival in a £12.5million deal at the start of last month.

However, following a clean sheet on his debut, the 21-year-old has started to struggle, with high-profile errors in both cup exits.

Vicario, Destiny Udogie, and James Maddison are all thought to be pushing to be in contention for the visit of Ruben Amorim's team.

Udogie's return could see Djed Spence revert to the right to give Pedro Porro a rare breather, with the Spaniard having tacked up over 2900 minutes already across all competitions.

Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner and Wilson Odobert are also pushing to rejoin training, but the latter pair are not expected to start here.

Dominic Solanke is not thought to be far behind with his recovery from a knee injury but will be absent alongside Richarlison.

Captain Son Heung-min is likely to lead the line, with Bayern Munich loanee Mathys Tel also making his league debut for the club.

Archie Gray may still be required in an unorthodox centre-back role alongside new signing Kevin Danso, with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven not rushed back into action and Radu Dragusin a long-term absentee.

Tottenham are unbeaten in their last four Premier League games against Man Utd (W2 D2) and are looking to complete the league double over the Red Devils for the first time since 1989-90.

Manchester United have conceded at least twice in each of their last four Premier League games against Spurs – the last side they conceded multiple goals against in 5+ consecutive league games was Arsenal (5 between 1975 and 1978).

Tottenham have already beaten Manchester United twice in all competitions this season, 3-0 in the Premier League and 4-3 in the League Cup quarter-final. Not since 1989-90 have Spurs beaten Man Utd three times in a single campaign, while the last side overall to defeat the Red Devils three times in a season were Chelsea in 2012-13.

Manchester United team news

The visitors' injury woes have cleared up in recent weeks but their inconsistent performances have left Amorim scratching his head.

Patrick Dorgu made his debut in the 2-1 FA Cup comeback win over Leicester and is expected to be handed his Premier League bow.

Luke Shaw recently suffered a fresh setback in training, with the other player deputising on the left under Amorim, Lisandro Martinez, facing an extended period out of action due to a serious knee injury.

Neither Mason Mount nor Jonny Evans are expected back, with Friday's matchwinner Harry Maguire starting again at the back.

Alejandro Garnacho's lively cameo as a substitute in that game will likely be enough for him to take up one of the No.10 positions.

Amad Diallo will claim the other vacant role behind Joshua Zirkzee following Ramus Hojlund's continued struggles in attack.

After their 2-0 win over Brentford, Tottenham are looking to win back-to-back Premier League games for just the second time this season, previously doing so in September – when their two wins were over Brentford and then Manchester United.

Tottenham are winless in their last seven Premier League home games (D2 L5), their longest such run in the competition since going eight without a win from March to October 2008. Their five defeats in these last seven games are more than they suffered in their previous 17 at home in the league (W13 D0 L4).

Since Ruben Amorim took charge in November, only five sides have picked up fewer points in the Premier League than Manchester United (14). Amorim is only the fourth manager to lose 7+ of his first 13 top-flight games in charge of the Red Devils, along with AH Albut (7), John Chapman (10), and Jimmy Murphy (7).

Tottenham vs Man United: How to follow

This Premier League game is set to take place on Sunday, February 16.

Kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is scheduled for 4:30pm.

Sky Sports will be broadcasting the action and details on how to watch on TV or online via Sky Go can be found here.

talkSPORT.com will also have updates throughout via our dedicated live Premier League blog.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is unbeaten in all three of his Premier League games against Manchester United – only three managers have ever remained unbeaten in each of their first four against the Red Devils (Ruud Gullit, Nuno Espírito Santo and Unai Emery).

After his assist for Pape Sarr’s goal against Brentford, Son Heung-min became Tottenham’s outright leading assister in the Premier League (69), overtaking Darren Anderton (68). Son has seven assists in the competition this season, only recording more in a single campaign in 2019-20 (10), 2020-21 (10), and 2023-24 (10).

No player has scored more goals (6) or provided more assists (6) for Manchester United in the Premier League this season than Amad Diallo. However, the Ivorian hasn’t scored or assisted in any of his last three league games, only attempting two shots over this time while creating 10 chances without any leading to a goal.

Tottenham vs Man United: What has been said?

Jamie O'Hara believes Postecoglou's time at Spurs has run its course.

"It's time to go now, Ange is out of his depth. [Unai] Emery is on a different planet compared to him and his players bopped us off the park. Should have been five, we're like reserve team playing in academy games that don't matter, it's crazy," O'Hara wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Postecoglou has declared an agenda against him following the reaction to the club's FA Cup exit.

Pressed on whether he would get given time to turn things around, Postecoglou remarked: "I'm not talking about me.

"People can judge me, they can say I've done a bad job, I'm not up to it or whatever, that's fine.

"What I'm saying is you can't be critical of players and players' performance during this time.

"If you do, then do that with everyone else when they've got nine or ten or 11 players out - none of them have - and for every game.

"I'm not just saying we had to do it today. We've been doing this since the middle of November.

"You can't judge the performance of these players or critique them on what they've done. All they've done is give all they can and that's all you can ask for.

"My responsibility at this club is this group of players and team to get them to play in the manner I want them to that will bring us success.

"Whether people think I can do that or not is for others to judge but there's got to be a better appreciation for what a very small group of players have been doing for the last two and a half months.

"It can't be that people think that is an excuse. That's just not anywhere near close to objective analysis. That's just agenda-driven stuff.

"If it's to get rid of me that's fine, good on you, go for it a million times.

"But in terms of this group of players, what they've given over the last two and a half months has been outstanding.

"It's a credit to them, I can't speak highly enough of them."

Darren Bent insists he would take ex-Tottenham striker Harry Kane at Arsenal in a heartbeat.

England captain Kane has starred for Bayern Munich since signing for an initial fee of £83million in 2023, scoring 72 goals in 73 matches.

The 31-year-old's success comes after he spent nearly 20 years at Spurs, during which time he netted 213 Premier League goals and became the club's all-time leading goalscorer.

It is the second-highest tally in the league's history behind leader Alan Shearer's 260, but Kane may still have a chance at beating him.

Recent reports say he has a release clause at Bayern worth £67m that could have been activated during the January transfer window.

Kane remained coy when asked about the release clause last week, insisting he did not want to comment on it.

A Premier League return may therefore be a possibility - and Arsenal are currently struggling for options up front.

The Gunners controversially opted not to sign a striker in January and could pay the price - with fears over a suspected hamstring injury for Kai Havertz.

Mikel Arteta will surely look to bolster his attacking options in the summer - and ex-England striker Bent, who played for Tottenham but supports Arsenal, insists Kane to the Emirates would be a no-brainer if the option arose.

When asked on talkSPORT Drive if he would take Kane at the club, Bent immediately said: "I'd take him."

Co-host Andy Goldstein then insisted it would never happen and argued it would be a bigger deal than Campbell's deeply-controversial north London allegiance switch in 2001.

However, Bent offered an explanation as to why a Kane switch to the Gunners amid his Spurs past wouldn't be as big of a bombshell.

All-time leading goalscorers in Premier League

"This is why I think the Sol one's bigger, right. Harry Kane, record goalscorer, one of Spurs' greatest ever players, partially with [Jimmy] Greaves, I understand that," Bent said.

"One of their best ever players, although some Spurs fans would say he's not... I think he's one of their best ever.

"England captain, his stats, 213 Premier League goals, I understand that, but there's been Bayern in between.

"Listen, Sol Campbell at the time was one of the best centre-halves in the country. He came out on national TV and said, 'I'm not leaving', and then went to Arsenal, their rivals, for nothing.

"Harry Kane never once came out and said, 'I'm not going anywhere, I'm staying', but Bayern paid €100m for him."

Goldstein interjected: "There's no way Harry Kane will end up at Arsenal in a billion years."

Bent responded: "No, I don't think he will either. But my point is I don't think that would be bigger than Sol Campbell."

Bent was then asked if there would be any Arsenal fans who wouldn't take him, but he said: "No, that guy guarantees you goals."

He added: "His goal return, the year before he left to go to Bayern, he scored 32 in all competitions.

"Before that, it was 27, 33, 24, 24, 41, 35, 28, do you know what I mean? I'm telling you now, he would never go to Arsenal in a million years.

"But if you're asking me if I'd take him, 100 per cent."

Richarlison's Tottenham woes have gone from bad to worse and all signs point towards a summer transfer to Saudi Arabia.

That's the view of his ex-Watford teammate Troy Deeney, who has stated that 'something's gone wrong' for the 27-year-old in north London.

The Brazilian joined Spurs from Everton in a deal rising to £60million in 2022 having scored 53 goals in 152 games for the Toffees.

But he has never got going at Tottenham, with the striker boasting almost as many injuries [ten] as he has Premier League goals [14].

Having already missed 27 matches this term due to numerous setbacks, Richarlison looks set for another spell on the sidelines after picking up a calf issue in Wednesday's 4-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.

Boss Ange Postecoglou declared after the brutal loss that the player was left 'emotional' over his latest injury, admitting that it 'didn't look too good'.

His continued struggles has led to uncertainty over his long-term future at Spurs ahead of a potential exit in the next transfer window.

Assessing Richarlison's time at Tottenham so far, Deeney, who played alongside him at Vicarage Road in the 2017/18 season, told talkSPORT.com: "I feel sorry for him.

"There's something clearly going wrong. He can't seem to stay fit.

"He started the game [vs Liverpool] OK, and then ran into the channel and his calf just popped instantly.

"It's a shame, like I say, something's gone wrong there [at Spurs].

"Because at Watford he played 18 [12] months in a row, at Everton he played more or less every game - he was a leader for them.

"He then goes to Spurs and he just can't seem to stay fit and I don't really know what the answer is."

And when pressed whether the player should depart north London to recapture his form, Deeney insisted there's only one place Richarlison can go.

He remarked: "I think he is going to have to leave, because where does he go?

"It's sad to say, but if you haven't done it at Spurs, he's probably going to end up going Saudi, somewhere like that.

"[He can] make a few quid for himself, but he needs to stay fit and available.

"It's a shame because he's a good player, he's a very good boy and a nice lad."

Richarlison was heavily linked with a switch to Saudi Arabia last year, but snubbed a move despite the riches on offer, declaring: "The money is big, but my dreams are bigger.”

It's been a difficult 2025 for Tottenham so far having lost five times already, with their trophy drought threatening to enter an 18th year.

And things don't get any easier for Spurs on Sunday as they face Aston Villa away in the FA Cup fourth round.

Some Spurs fans are calling for the axing of Postecoglou, and Deeney has acknowledged that the Australian will be on thin ice should they be defeated in the Midlands.

He stated: "I don't think he will get sacked after that game. If they lose to Manchester United [February 16], I think he's in all sorts of pressure.

"Because at the start of this week they were in three competitions and looking to get players back to finish the season strong and finish in the top ten.

"I think if he loses the semi-final [vs Liverpool], loses in the FA Cup and then loses to Man United, they could be like 16th [in table], they could be in the bottom four.

"I just think they're going to have to really step it up, and would you trust the manager if you're the owner at that point?

"I don't think it's the right decision [to sack Postecoglou], I think it's more on the players to step up now and a lot needs to be looked at at Tottenham as an organisation."

Randal Kolo Muani has made a record-breaking impact for Juventus following his January move.

The forward signed a loan deal until the end of the season with the Italian giants from Paris Saint-Germain.

Kolo Muani played just 453 minutes of football and made only two starts in Ligue 1 for PSG during the first half of the 2024/25 season.

Despite boss Luis Enrique remaining coy over the Frenchman's future, he became a transfer target during the winter window.

Premier League giants Manchester United and Tottenham had been linked with a loan deal before Juventus signed the 26-year-old.

And despite him being at the club for less than a month, Kolo Muani has already showcased his quality in Serie A.

He scored two goals in Juventus' 2-1 win over Como on Friday night to take his tally to five in just three appearances.

As a result, Kolo Muani is the first player to score this many goals in three Serie A outings since its format changed in the 1994/95 season.

The forward scored on his Juventus debut in a 2-1 defeat to Napoli before netting on two occasions against Empoli and then Como.

What makes this even more impressive is that Kolo Muani has enjoyed a stronger start in Serie A than Cristiano Ronaldo did.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner signed for Juventus in 2018 after a legendary nine-year stay at Real Madrid.

Ronaldo scored an incredible 101 goals in 134 appearances for them but failed to net in his opening three matches in Serie A.

His first goal came in his fourth outing in the Italian top flight, with his end of season league total sitting at 28.

Although Kolo Muani has found more success in Serie A, Ronaldo continues to be one of the best footballers on the planet.

The now 40-year-old also scored on Friday night as Al Nassr beat Al Feiha 3-0 in the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo is on 24 goals in 26 appearances for the season as he looks to add to his illustrious and extensive trophy collection.

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur will battle it out for a place in the final of the EFL Cup.

Liverpool vs Tottenham best bets

Liverpool to win and under 4.5 goals - 2/1 with Tote

Liverpool to be ahead after 30 minutes - 10/11 with Paddy Power

Cody Gakpo to score any time - 13/10 with bet365

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur odds

Find the latest match odds for Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur. All odds are provided by our best football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur predictions

Pragmatism is not a word mentioned in conjunction with Ange Postecoglou too often, but his team turned in an uncharacteristically controlled, measured and organised performance against Liverpool last month.

To be clear, Liverpool still created chances in the first leg of this EFL Cup semi-final and Lucas Bergvall’s late winner was controversial. But Tottenham Hotspur were miles better than they had been in a 6-3 home defeat by the same opponents a few weeks earlier.

The question now is whether a one-goal lead is enough. Liverpool will have home advantage in the return fixture on Thursday. Arne Slot’s side have only lost once at Anfield in all competitions in 2024/25.

The tie is very much alive, though, and that is more than many people expected ahead of the first leg.

A lot hinges on this match for Postecoglou. Despite a 2-0 victory over Brentford on Sunday, Spurs are having a dismal campaign in the Premier League.

A 10-point lead over the bottom three means Tottenham will not be relegated, but the fact they are way down in 14th place after 24 games is a damning indictment of everyone at the club.

Of course, injuries have played their part and Spurs have been hit harder than most. Yet that does not excuse some of the defeats they have suffered over the last few months, while Postecoglou’s unwillingness to offer his weakened defence additional protection has not reflected well on him.

However, the Australian is probably safe in his job for as long as silverware remains a possibility. Without a trophy since 2008, Tottenham are desperate to get their hands on a tangible prize between now and May.

An FA Cup fourth-round clash with Aston Villa this weekend will be tough, while there are some strong sides remaining in the Europa League. Already through to the semis, the EFL Cup represents Tottenham’s best chance of success this season.

“I'll correct myself - I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year. Nothing's changed,” a defiant Postecoglou said in September.

Tottenham can take a step closer to realising that objective on Thursday. Alternatively, they could see their dreams of EFL Cup glory extinguished.

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur betting tips

Can Tottenham protect or extend their 1-0 lead from the first leg of this semi-final?

Liverpool to win and under 4.5 goals

Unless you support them, Tottenham have been fantastic to watch this season. Their 24 Premier League games have produced 85 goals, an average of 3.5 every 90 minutes.

Liverpool fans will fondly remember that 6-3 triumph at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December, but Thursday’s game will probably feature fewer goals.

With Micky van de Ven available from the start, Spurs’ backline will be in better shape. Antonin Kinsky is now keeping goal instead of Fraser Forster.

That is unlikely to be enough to keep the likes of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz at bay, however. Liverpool are relentless and it is hard to see them failing to win this second leg.

This game will not necessarily be low-scoring, but we do envisage a maximum of four goals at Anfield.

⚽ Back Liverpool to win and under 4.5 goals at 2/1 with Tote ⚽

Liverpool to be ahead after 30 minutes

Slot has made Liverpool more controlled than they were under Jurgen Klopp, but he has astutely retained the best elements of his predecessor’s magnificent work.

Namely, Slot is happy to let Liverpool off the leash when the situation requires it. He will not want to encourage a completely end-to-end encounter on Thursday, but if this becomes a straight shoot-out between the two sides Liverpool will come out on top.

This Tottenham team is not built to withstand heavy pressure and the Reds will aim to exploit that early on.

Slot will encourage his team to come flying out of the blocks under the floodlights at Anfield, pushing Spurs’ backs to the wall immediately.

Liverpool will be keen to wipe out the one-goal deficit as quickly as possible, preferably after half an hour.

⚽ Tip Liverpool to have the lead after 30 minutes at 10/11 with Paddy Power ⚽

Cody Gakpo to score any time

Whereas Klopp usually fielded Gakpo through the middle last term, Slot prefers to deploy him from the left.

The Netherlands international looks more comfortable in that role and he has emerged as a regular starter over the last few months.

Gakpo has been particularly prolific at Anfield this season. He has scored 15 goals in all competitions, 12 of which have come in front of Liverpool’s supporters.

Another could follow against Tottenham. Postecoglou’s charges may have kept a clean sheet against Brentford on Sunday, but they are about to face a formidable frontline.

Gakpo is well placed to make his mark in the second leg of this EFL Cup semi-final.

⚽ Choose Cody Gakpo to score any time at 13/10 with bet365 ⚽

📺 How to watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur

Location: Anfield, Liverpool, England.

Date and time: Thursday 6th February, 8pm.

How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.

Read more about the 2024/25 football season

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Premier League top scorer odds

Premier League relegation odds

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Harry Kane has a release clause in his Bayern Munich contract, which has dropped significantly in recent days.

The England captain joined Bayern from Tottenham in a staggering £100million transfer in 2023.

While he has yet to lift a trophy with the Bavarian giants, his performance has been nothing short of impressive, scoring 70 goals in 72 games.

Yet, clubs have the power to activate a release clause in his Bayern contract if they desire, according to Sport Bild, hinting that a return to the Premier League could be a possibility.

Kane was available for £67m in the January transfer window, but that clause will now be reduced to £54m next winter.

However, there’s no indication the 31-year-old wishes to leave Bayern. He has forged a life in Munich and is fervently hoping to end his trophy drought this season.

Bayern currently stand at the top of the Bundesliga table, six points clear of Bayer Leverkusen, preparing to face Celtic for a spot in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Kane remains under contract with Bayern until 2027, but club executives are eyeing potential long-term successors, with Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres reportedly on their radar.

The striker still has Tottenham close to his heart and played a role in Mathys Tel's move to north London on deadline day.

"He told me it's a big club with a lot of very good people.

"The pitch is very nice and the training centre is very good, and if you go there you can enjoy it. Everything was positive."

Tel signed on a loan deal with Tottenham despite initially turning them down after chairman Daniel Levy flew to Germany to persuade him to join.

In Germany, Kane celebrated a personal milestone in his 50th Bundesliga appearance for Bayern as they triumphed over the struggling Holstein Kiel 4-3.

Kane's impressive double in the game means he has outscored former Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland in goals during their first 50 Bundesliga games.

Kane's remarkable 55 goals in 50 league games aren’t the only Bundesliga records he’s shattered this season.

He became the quickest player to reach 50 goal involvements in September, coincidentally against Holstein Kiel.

Kane had already etched his name in Bundesliga history by scoring 36 times in 32 games last season, marking the most goals in a debut campaign.

His time at Tottenham was filled with record-breaking performances, and with this kind of exceptional form, Kane could be a tremendous asset to any Premier League club if he chooses to make a return.

Rising through the club's academy, Kane blossomed into one of the Premier League's most prolific strikers, smashing records and becoming Tottenham's all-time leading goalscorer, surpassing the legendary Jimmy Greaves.

He led Tottenham’s ascent to regular Champions League contention, highlighted by a memorable run to the 2019 final.

Yet, despite personal accolades and team progress, the major trophies eluded him during his time at Spurs.

This need for silverware ultimately prompted his departure.

Kane has been in exhilarating form recently for Bayern, netting four goals in his last three matches, and will be hoping to extend that streak on Friday against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga.

Tottenham Hotspur beat their north London rivals to the signing Mason Melia for a League of Ireland record transfer fee.

Melia has left St Patrick’s Athletic for a reported initial fee of £1.6m and signed a deal that will see him move in January 2026 on a five-year contract.

The unusual timing of the move is due to Brexit-related regulations.

Melia was previously on trial at Manchester City and reportedly had interest from Arsenal.

Chelsea, Everton, Celtic and Bayer Leverkusen were also linked.

Spurs also bolstered their youth ranks with Luca Furnell-Gill from Liverpool, Daniel Batty from Manchester City, and Reiss Russell-Denney from Chelsea, all joining this window.

Prior to this move the record stood at £500,000 when Celtic bought Liam Scales from Shamrock Rovers in 2021.

The 17-year-old made his senior debut for St Patrick’s Athletic in May 2023 and later became the youngest scorer in league history aged 15.

The centre forward has appeared 54 times for the Irish club with 10 goals and three assists to his name.

He was a regular in the squad last season as St Pats progressed to the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.

“Mason is a terrific talent with an exceptional attitude and a real appetite for hard work,” Kenny told the club's website,” said St Pat’s manager Stephen Kenny.

“He has had a dramatic impact for one so young, his performances in our Conference League games playing as a central striker against high calibre opposition were of real quality.

“Mason has repeated those performances at international level for Ireland and has a bright future ahead for his country.”

Melia has been a regular in the youth age groups for the Republic of Ireland, representing them at the 2023 European Under-17 Championship finals. He earned his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland Under-21s squad in October, 2024.

Melia embodies what it means to be a modern day striker. Being able to drop deep and link up with teammates or drive with confidence at the opposition.

Speaking about Melia, St Pat’s sporting director Ger O’Brien said: “When we recruited Mason in 2022 we knew we had signed an incredible talent. We had watched his development with St Joseph's Boys and Bray Wanderers for a number of years.

“He has been fantastic during his three years at the club, and we're delighted for Mason that he'll be making the move to the Premier League early next year.

“Mason has really developed, technically, physically and mentally and I'd like to thank all of the coaches who have worked with him in our Academy and also with the First Team over the last three years.

“There has been a lot of interest in Mason from the UK and Europe over the last number of years and our Chairman has been negotiating this deal for a number of months, it's a record transfer fee for a League of Ireland player and something the club is proud of.”

In regards to the senior team, 19-year-old striker Mathys Tel joined on loan from Bayern Munich to bolster Ange Postecoglou’s injury ridden side alongside goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.