The Sun

IT took just 18 minutes for Antonin Kinsky to show off the fancy footwork Spurs have sorely missed from their goalkeeper in the last six weeks.

The confident Czech, signed on Sunday from Slavia Prague, performed a clever keepy-uppy to get himself out of the danger he had been put in by team-mate Radu Dragusin.

Romanian Dragusin had let a dangerous ball bounce, but instead of panicking, Kinsky cleverly lifted the ball over an advancing Diogo Jota and caught it.

It was a promising snapshot of his ball-playing ability which was on show here throughout his debut.

And one that will have come as a big relief to fans who have watched from behind their sofa as poor old Fraser Forster has attempted to play AngeBall in Guglielmo Vicario’s absence.

Kinsky's former Slavia team-mates sat down to watch his Spurs bow while on a warm-weather training camp in Marbella, with the club's X account hailing their 'King'.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has decided to persevere with playing out from the back ever since No1 Vicario fractured his ankle in November.

And though Forster has made some good saves in the meantime, playing smart, short passes under pressure is not his strong suit.

That was made abundantly clear when the 36-year-old made not just one but TWO horrendous errors that led to goals in the last round of the Carabao Cup last month, which Spurs just about won 4-3 against Manchester United, despite leading 3-0 at one point.

With Vicario not expected back until late February, Spurs decided to act and brought in 21-year-old Kinsky this month for £12.5million on a six-and-a-half-year deal.

His agent Viktor Kolar revealed how tough the negotiations were to get the deal over the line in an interview with Flashscore.

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

It included how chairman Daniel Levy himself flew over to Prague to get things moving alongside Spurs’ technical director Johan Lange.

Kolar said: "Our team was still sitting at a petrol station in Prague until almost 10 pm of December 31, because everything was closed on New Year's Eve.

“The subsequent development was that on January 1, Daniel Levy flew in himself and the two-day negotiations in Prague began. He had Johan Lange with him.

"The negotiations were intense, stretching late into the night.

“But it worked, and I’m happy about that. It was a beautiful test to see if people and organizations this dominant can find their way to each other."

Kolar also detailed how his client chatted the move over with Czech goalkeeping great Petr Cech before signing on the dotted line.

Kinsky then went on to become the most expensive Czech keeper ever, with his £12.5m deal surpassing the £10m Arsenal paid Chelsea for Cech in 2015.

Kolar added: “Toni can consult on things with Petr, and talk about the goalkeeping stuff.”

Kinsky was thrown straight in here against high-flying Liverpool for what was a pivotal match in Spurs’ season - and Postecoglou’s tenure.

The blond stopper looked cool throughout his bow - and not just in his short-sleeved keeper top.

His presence seemed to calm down an injury-hit defence which has seemed jittery of late too, with some accurate passes and solid saves.

There was one hairy moment soon after his keepy-uppy where he tried to play out from back and his pass hit Archie Gray but he got away with it.

But for the most part Kinsky seemed assured, summed up by how he smartly started the move which led to Dominic Solanke sliding Spurs ahead - only to be ruled out for offside.

Solanke shrugged off the disappointment by teeing up another blond bombshell in Spurs' team, Lucas Bergvall, for an opener that did stand - much to Kinsky and his new team-mates' delight.

Kinsky then produced his save of the night to turn an inventive flick from Liverpool sub Darwin Nunez round the post in stoppage time.

Postecoglou had said it was not just his footwork that convinced Spurs to sign the youngster - and so this stop proved.

Kinsky completed his debut with a warm embrace from his sister, who looked emotional in the stands next to supporters.

It is early days, but on this evidence Spurs fans can be confident that their new man between the sticks has what it takes to play the high-risk football their manager insists on.

IT was the night when Tottenham’s youth recruitment drive finally started to make sense.

As 18-year-old Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall netted the late winner, his fellow teenager Archie Gray shone in defence and Ange Postecoglou had a rare night of joy and optimism.

Liverpool were fuming that Bergvall was still on the pitch when, on a yellow card for hacking down Luis Diaz, escaped punishment for a late sliding foul on Kostas Tsimikas.

The Reds’ Greek left-back was still off the pitch when Bergvall netted the winner from a slick move.

Spurs now take a slender lead to Anfield for the distant return leg of this Carabao Cup semi-final on February 6.

And Postecoglou’s boast of always winning a trophy in his second season at a club remains on course for fruition.

Dominic Solanke had an effort disallowed for offside - followed by a historic VAR announcement from miked-up ref Stuart Attwell.

But before all that drama, it felt as if everybody froze on a Siberian night in north London.

First they froze in horror when Rodrigo Bentancur lay motionless on the floor after an awkward fall and was carried off on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask.

The news of Tottenham’s Uruguayan was positive but after that early shock the two sides who had served up a nine-goal thriller in the Premier League here last month, threatened a stalemate.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

Meanwhile supporters were freezing their wotsits off in Scott of the Antarctic temperatures.

Having taken just one point from their last four league matches, Spurs were in desperate need of one of their occasional stupidly good results.

Yet Postecoglou was still without ten senior players through injury or suspension and so newly-signed keeper Antonin Kinsky was handed a debut just two days after signing from Slavia Prague.

This was the only trophy Jurgen Klopp managed to win in his farewell quest for the quadruple last season but despite their shock home draw with struggling Manchester United, they arrived unbeaten in 24.

Slot felt confident enough to make three changes in defence as well as bringing in Diogo Jota up front.

Although two of Liverpool’s defensive call-ups - Kostas Tsimikas and Jarrell Quansah were guilty of seriously loose passes which put the visitors under the pump early on.

Quansah’s error led to a corner from which Bentancur attempted a diving header, missed the ball but crashed head-first into the turf.

The Uruguayan appeared to have been knocked out cold and after an eight-minute delay he was carried off on a stretcher, wearing an oxygen mask.

Alisson had pushed away a shot from Radu Dragusin while that drama was unfolding and soon Solanke got his legs in a tangle when he ought to have stuck away a low Son Heung-Min centre.

Salah dragged a shot wide after an exchange of passes with Gakpo as Liverpool finally started stretching the Spurs defence.

Quansah’s rare starting opportunity came to a premature end when he seemed to injure an ankle and Wataru Endo slotted into central defence.

Bentancur’s injury, quite understandably, quelled the feverish atmosphere among the home support and Spurs were struggling to raise themselves after those troubling scenes.

Yves Bissouma was booked for hacking down Curtis Jones but from the resulting free-kick Mac Allister could only head straight at Kinsky.

Liverpool were slowly but surely starting to get a grip on possession, their pass and move routines clicking into gear - although their finishing was wonky, Salah spooning one over and Gakpo opting to test Kinsky from distance when better options were available.

After the two injuries, there was a whopping 11 minutes of first-half injury time just as Jack Frost was starting to bare his teeth on a bitter north London night.

Overall, it was flat in the stands and on the pitch.

Thankfully, there was positive news at half-time that Bentancur was conscious and communicative.

Ten minutes after the restart, Alisson had a prolonged brainstorm - and yet Tottenham were still unable to take advantage.

From a back-pass, Liverpool’s Brazilian keeper clumsily attempted a Cruyff turn on Lucas Bervall, then played it straight to Pedro Porro, who had one shot blocked and spooned a second effort wide with the goal at his mercy.

Postecoglou fell to his knees and beat the ground with his fists.

Calamity keeping was clearly contagious as Kinsky almost dropped a Salah cross into his own goal.

Slot made a triple substitution in an attempt to break the stalemate - Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Trent Alexander-Arnold all arriving.

Archie Gray, growing rapidly into this makeshift role as a centre-half, was impressing with his nifty footwork playing the ball out of defence.

Liverpool’s subs were making them look a little more threatening and when Nunez latched on to an angled pass from Salah, Kinsky was off his line quickly to thwart the Uruguayan forward.

Then Alexander-Arnold pinged a shot from out wide which beat Kinsky but was hacked off the line by Dragusin.

But just as Liverpool were at their most menacing, Spurs found the net - a gorgeous curving pass from Porro releasing Solanke who rolled it past Alisson.

Yet the Spurs striker had strayed offside and so it was Attwell’s big historic moment - a piercingly high-pitched whistle followed by the ref announcing that ‘after a review, Solanke was offside’.

There was no great showmanship about Attwell taking to the mic, no Vegas residency is forthcoming.

But soon Spurs finally managed a legitimate strike - Porro’s diagonal ball out of defence located Solanke who held off Ibrahima Konate and laid off for Bervall to drill past Alisson - as Liverpool’s bench raged at the injustice.

'Liverpool punished'

Former Spurs ace Michael Dawson told Sky Sports that Liverpool were 'punished' by Stuart Attwell's decision not to send Lucas Bergvall off.

Speaking after the game, he said: “I don’t think the first one is a yellow card on Luis Diaz.

“He gives the referee a decision to make but the referee got that one wrong.

“On the second one, I have no defence for Bergvall. He lunges and catches Tsimikas and that should’ve been a yellow card.

“Liverpool are certainly punished with that.”

Match report

It was the night when Tottenham’s youth recruitment drive finally started to make sense.

As 18-year-old Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall netted the late winner, his fellow teenager Archie Gray shone in defence and Ange Postecoglou had a rare night of joy and optimism.

Liverpool were fuming that Bergvall was still on the pitch when, on a yellow card for hacking down Luis Diaz, escaped punishment for a late sliding foul on Kostas Tsimikas.

The Reds’ Greek left-back was still off the pitch when Bergvall netted the winner from a slick move.

Spurs now take a slender lead to Anfield for the distant return leg of this Carabao Cup semi-final on February 6.

And Postecoglou’s boast of always winning a trophy in his second season at a club remains on course for fruition.

Momentous occasion

One talking point that will potentially get lost in all of the drama tonight was the momentous VAR/refereeing scenario.

Ruling out Dom Solanke's goal for offside in the second half, Stuart Attwell announced the decision over the speakers to the crowd from the pitch.

If you're a fan of the NFL, you'll know exactly how that looks.

Though they're not usually quite as nervous as he looked delivering his mini-speech.

He said: “After a review, Dominic Solanke was in an offside position in the build-up to the goal, therefore the decision is offside.”

Postecoglou after the match said: "Just get on with the game, mate. It used to be you put your flag up and it's offside."

Slot reacts

Arne Slot reveals Stuart Attwell's decision not to send Lucas Bergvall off had a huge impact on his side losing the game.

He also said Attwell himself must have been concerned to see the Spurs man go on to score the winner.

He told Sky Sports: “I think everyone who stands in front of a camera will say it had a big influence on the game.

“It didn’t feel to me like we were ever going to lose. The decision he made had a huge impact on the result.

“There’s nothing else I can say on that.

“That is a rule I don’t like, if a player gets injured and treatment he has to go off for 30 seconds. I don’t understand why this is necessary.

“Conceding during this time and to the player who should have had a second yellow card is not ideal.

“I think the referee was even thinking ‘is this really happening, with him scoring’.

“The fourth official told me in the tunnel why he didn’t think it was a yellow, then Robbo asked the referee and was told it’s because he didn’t stop a counter attack.

“He could still give a yellow if it’s a reckless challenge but he didn’t see it as reckless, which we can debate.”

'Couldn't dream it'

Antonín Kinský revealed after the game he's a 'big dreamer' but even he couldn't have dreamt up a debut like tonight.

He also revealed the emotional hug was with his sister, having informed his family yesterday that there was a chance he'd be playing.

Asked by Sky Sports if tonight was one of the best nights of his life, he said: “Yeah definitely. I’m a big dreamer but probably I’ve never dreamt this dream.

“It’s amazing and I’m so happy. All the people have been kind and I’m so happy for the people, the club and myself.

“It was my sister. I told her yesterday there was a possibility I would be playing so she came with her boyfriend and my mum and dad.

“I hope they’re happy and proud.”

Van Dijk reacts

Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk reveals what he told Stuart Attwell after the game, having had words with the referee on that Bergvall decision.

He told Sky Sports: “Listen, I think it was quite obvious it should have been a second yellow.

“It was pretty clear and then a minute later he scores the winner.

“It is what it is. He made a mistake in my opinion and I told him that. It was obvious.

“There was a linesman there, a fourth official, VAR and a referee.

“It wasn’t the reason we lost the game but it was a big moment.”

Some debut

Antonín Kinský jumped the advertising boards and into the crowd for an emotional embrace.

Whoever the young lady was on the other end of his hug was in tears, no doubt bursting with pride at the youngster's debut.

To be thrust in to a game like this, against the top side in European football at present and keep a clean sheet must be more than he could have ever dreamed of.

Really great scenes, and the Spurs fans around them were more than happy to give him an ovation for that showing.

RODRIGO BENTANCUR was rushed to hospital after a sickening fall early on in Tottenham’s clash against Liverpool.

The midfielder landed awkwardly after attempting to head the ball unchallenged at a corner.

Bentancur missed the ball as he dived low to reach it, and appeared to injury his right arm as he reached the turf.

He remained rooted to the spot he fell in which caused alarm for the rest of the players.

Bentancur's team-mates were concerned and Pedro Porro rushed to his aide as he lay on the ground motionless and put him in the recovery position while appearing to move his tongue so he could breathe.

Stars from both sides immediately beckoned physios and medical staff onto the pitch to attend to Bentancur.

The Argentine received treatment for around eight minutes and was given oxygen as he was taken off on a stretcher.

He was accompanied by doctors to the dressing room and they were still with him by half-time, some 30 minutes later.

Tottenham confirmed he was speaking and announced he would be taken to hospital for further checks.

It forced Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou into an early change as Brennan Johnson came on to replace the stricken star.

It is the second time Bentancur has been knocked out this season after he clashed heads with Leicester star Abdul Fatawu during the opening game of the season.

Tottenham have been hit by an injury crisis in recent weeks and lined up with several youngsters against Liverpool, including Archie Gray at centre-back once again.

There was also a debut for Antonin Kinsky who only signed this week from Slavia Prague.

Bentancur, 27, has only recently returned from a lengthy ban after he was found guilty of using a racial slur toward team-mate Son Heung-min.

Live Blog

SPURRED ON

Tottenham vs Liverpool LIVE SCORE: Bentancur carried off pitch after medical treatment and seven-minute delay – latest

RODRIGO BENTANCUR had to receive lengthy medical treatment on the pitch before he was carried off on a stretcher.

The Tottenham midfielder appeared to slam into the turf after going for a header at a corner, with his arm also bending the wrong way as he landed.

After treatment by medics inside the Liverpool box, which included receiving oxygen, Bentancur was carried off the pitch after a worrying seven-minute delay - there have been no updates on his condition as yet.

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has been dropped for the against Tottenham in the first leg of their massive Carabao Cup semi-final, while Ange Postecoglu has thrown new keeper Antonin Kinsky straight into the mix.

Kick off time: 8pm

TV channel: Sky Sports Football / Main Event

Live stream: Sky GO / NowTV

Tottenham team: Kinsky, Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence, Bissouma, Bentancur, Bergvall, Kulusevski, Solanke, Son.

Liverpool team: Alisson, Bradley, Van Dijk, Quansah, Tsimikas, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Jones, Salah, Jota, Gakpo.

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

Follow our live blog below...

Now Liverpool are forced into their own early change themselves as things tie continues in a stop-start fashion.

Jarell Quansah is sat on the turf and he won't be able to continue.

OFF: Quansah

ON: Endo

Just shy of 30 minutes on the clock, though we're probably only halfway through the action after that lengthy stoppage.

Not much happening in front of goal as things stand.

Now it's Liverpool's turn to attack and Mo Salah will feel he should've done better.

He initially finds Gakpo on the left edge of the box and you expect him to go for that far corner. Instead he lays it back off for Salah who curls an effort towards goal but it's always curling away.

In the end, it's a few yards wide.

Nearly for Spurs!

They're knocking at the door, this time the ball is worked out to Son on the left.

Clever stepover as he drives at Bradley inside the box before a low, fired cross is flicked just wide by Solanke running across the front post.

An almost moment from Kulusevski as Tottenham remain on the front foot.

They win the ball inside the Liverpool final third and Kulusevski attempts to drill a pass in behind for Solanke which almost comes off, but rolls through to Alisson.

Any more news on Bentancur and we'll bring it straight away.

Back to the action on the park, Kinsky needed two bites at the cherry to catch a long ball into the area but he showed incredible composure to make a square pass for Dragusin inside his own area.

Only his second touch in a Spurs shirt but already looks like he could play in midfield.

Back underway

The game is back underway as the scoreboard hits 15 minutes, having stopped after six and a half minutes.

So a lengthy stoppage as Johnson replaces Bentancur. But it's NOT a concussion substitution...

The Spurs corner comes in but Alisson collects easily.

We wish Bentancur well, of course.

Pictures don't look clever

Brennan Johnson is getting stripped to come on but still the medical team work with Bentancur.

He is being moved onto the stretcher.

The pictures are just coming in and he didn't look in a good way but hopefully the transfer to the stretcher is a good sign.

Bentancur worry

Around a dozen medical staff surround the midfielder.

Porro noticed almost immediately as Bentancur lay flat out on his stomach before Dragusin sprinted over after diverting that shot goal-bound.

Postecoglou seems to discuss with another member of staff that it was a head knock off the ground as a result of that missed diving header. Nobody else was around him at the time.

The stretcher is on pretty sharply, too.

Worrying scenes

The game has paused and this doesn't look good at all.

Not entirely sure what's happened by Bentancur is lying flat out on the ground having missed the ball with that stoop.

The Spurs and Liverpool players were quick to scream for help from the touchline.

WHAT A SAVE!

That's why Alisson has been included, a terrific stop!

Porro wins the initial corner and his flat delivery is missed by Bentancur at the near post.

It comes through to Son at the edge and his low and hard strike back into the area is helped goalwards by Dragusin and Alisson gets down quickly to keep it out and it's knocked behind for another corner.

An absolute shocker of a square ball from Tsimikas, into his own box for Van Dijk but hit straight to Solanke.

Spurs can't quite make the most of the gift though as Liverpool scramble to get it clear.

Salah collects the ball on halfway and immediately looks forward with a terrific cross-field switch over the high Spurs line.

Porro is chasing Gakpo back with his arm raised looking for offside.

Gakpo manages to cut in, inside the area but is crowded out as Spurs get back well.

Son sent on a race with Quansah down the Spurs left but the defender covers well to get the ball back to Alisson.

KICK-OFF!

Underway at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium!

What a stat

Such is the strength of the Liverpool side tonight, this is only Alisson's SECOND appearance in this cup competition, Sky have said.

That's wild given how long he's been at the club.

In the tunnel

The two sets of players are in the tunnel as we edge ever closer to kick-off.

Really good atmosphere here and we're expecting a good one.

Son and Van Dijk sharing a laugh with referee Stuart Attwell ahead of the teams heading out.

Straight from the start

On the decision to chuck his new goalkeeper in from the start tonight, Postecoglou told Sky: "He learned all the lads' names which was the first test so pretty comfortable with that!

"He's somebody we've been tracking for a while and we're excited to get him in.

"Whenever you make your debut for a new club it's always a big occasion. Obviously this one has a little bit of an edge to it given the opposition and circumstance.

"I feel good about throwing him in and we think we have an exciting player on our hands and I'm sure he'll handle it well."

'Even Mo would struggle'

Ange Postecoglou reckons the battle Spurs are having with their injuries means even 'world class' Mo Salah would 'struggle' to have an impact.

Speaking ahead of the game, he said: "Mo is a world class player. But put him in our team, I'm not sure he'd have the same impact because of the situation we're in.

"As an attacking player, what do you need? You need a team in good form, creating opportunities and playing on the front foot.

"And you need a defence that's cohesive. None of these things exist at the moment."

Defending Trent

Arne Slot has defended Trent Alexander-Arnold amid the furore surrounding his performance against Manchester United.

Slot reckons the ongoing contract situation is not serving as a distraction and says United's quality was tough for him to deal with.

He said: “If we drop points when Mo misses a penalty against (Real) Madrid, he is distracted by his contract situation. If Trent has not his best performance, he is distracted by the contract situation.

"If they play really well nobody tells me, ‘That’s because they have a contract situation’.

“We always try to find arguments but nine out of 10 times the best argument is the quality of the team you face or the game-plan the other team has.”

He's a keeper

Antonin Kinsky was out early and pitch-side taking in his new surroundings.

The Spurs keeper - the new Petr Cech some are saying - is thrown in straight away after his very recent £12.5million switch from Slavia Prague.

Ball or nothing

Speaking of overcoming, let's hope both players overcome one huge difficulty this evening.

The Carabao Cup football.

I jest, of course. It looks an absolute beauty and will no doubt be picked out the net on more than a few occasions later.

'Very, very hard'

Kostas Tsimikas is in from the start and told Liverpool's website that the side's aims this season are 'to win everything'.

But he knows they've got a difficult task of reaching Wembley by overcoming a 'very, very hard' opponent.

He said: "Always when we play against them it's really tough.

"We have to win both games if we want to be at Wembley. They have very, very talented players and they play really, really good football.

"It's a very, very hard opponent to play against, but this team showed many, many times that we are 100% focused.

"The team is clear: we want to win everything."

Leading man

Cody Gakpo's recent form has been pivotal to Liverpool's continued good form.

He's scored in three successive games and has four goals and two assists in six games.

And he LOVES this competition too, with no player in England scoring more than the four he's grabbed to this stage.

Same again?

Arne Slot was questioned on the possibility of tonight following a same pattern to the game between the sides recently.

Liverpool's 6-3 win showed the good - and the bad - of Tottenham and Slot reckons the identities are so clear that he predicts another exciting, open game.

He 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 tomorrow 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."

DREAM TEAM managers need to stay alert at this time of year.

The upcoming Gameweeks will not only feature fixtures from both domestic cups alongside the bread and butter of the Premier League but the resumption of the Champions League and Europa League league phases as well.

There will be plenty of points on offer in the next month or so but only if gaffers stay on top of the schedule.

With this in mind, it's important to note that Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham are the only three teams with EIGHT games to fulfil across the next four Gameweeks.

These three clubs being the only ones involved in the Carabao Cup semi-finals as well as the European competitions.

LIVERPOOL'S UPCOMING FIXTURES

GW19: Accrington Stanley (h), Nottingham Forest (a)

GW20: Brentford (a), Lille (h)

GW21: Ipswich (h), PSV (a)

GW22: Bournemouth (a), Spurs (h)

ARSENAL'S UPCOMING FIXTURES

GW19: Manchester United (h), Spurs (h)

GW20: Aston Villa (a), Dinamo Zagreb (h)

GW21: Wolves (a), Girona (a)

GW22: Manchester City (h), Newcastle (a)

TOTTENHAM'S UPCOMING FIXTURES

GW19: Tamworth (a), Arsenal (a)

GW20: Everton (a), Hoffenheim (a)

GW21: Leicester (h), Elfsborg (h)

GW22: Brentford (a), Liverpool (a)

There are several factors to consider when making transfers but it's simply true that more fixtures equals more point-scoring opportunities.

Cole Palmer (£6.1m) is one of the standout performers of the season with a mega average of 10.4 points-per-game but he will have a maximum of five outings in the same stretch that will see Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs will play eight times each.

This is not to say backers of Chelsea's talisman should rush to ditch him but Dream Team bosses should ensure the fixture deficit doesn't get out of hand.

Alexander Isak (£5.9m), Bryan Mbeumo (£4.5m) and Anthony Gordon (£5m) are other popular players in fine form who may suffer when the European competitions resume later this month.

On the surface, it might seem there's little difference between three Stamford Bridge residents and three Spurs assets but if all six players appeared in every available fixture between the start of Gameweek 19 and the end of Gameweek 22, that's a disparity of nine games in favour of the North Londoners, which could equate to a significant points swing!

That being said, this is only theory.

In reality, it's likely Arne Slot, Mikel Arteta and Ange Postecoglou will rotate their squads throughout this busy period to some degree at least.

For starters, second-string outfits from Liverpool and Spurs should be expected against Accrington Stanley and Tamworth in the FA Cup third round this weekend.

But the point being there are healthy returns to be had if gaffers can identify which form players are about to experience an increased workload.

Rash decision?

Melia isn't the only one on Tottenham's radar, with speculation mounting that Marcus Rashford is heading south.

Rashford, 27, has not played in any of the last six games for Manchester United and appears unwanted by Ruben Amorim.

A move to Tottenham would be a shock.

AC Milan are also interested in the England international.

You'll Never Walk Elon

You won't have missed this if you're a Liverpool fan... Elon Musk reportedly wants to buy the club.

The world's richest man appears to have ripped himself away from X for 10 minutes to become interested enough to buy the Reds.

Musk is worth around $340BILLION.

And his father, Errol, is the one who confirmed the surprising news.

Musk Sr was asked on Times Radio: "Does your son want to buy Liverpool Football Club?"

And Errol replied: "I can’t comment on that, they’ll raise the price!"

"Oh yes, [he has expressed a desire], but that doesn’t mean he’s buying it."

Errol was pushed further and asked if buying the Reds was "in his son's sights".

And Musk Sr didn't hold back, adding: "He would like to yes, obviously. Anybody would want to - so would I."

Will a final save Ange?

Jose Mourinho is living proof that reaching a cup final will not save you as Tottenham manager, writes Tom Barclay.

But how Ange Postecoglou could do with replicating the Portuguese’s showpiece feat to dampen any doubts over his suitability to the Spurs hotseat.

The Aussie has a chance to make up for what he admits is some “very poor league form” in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool, with the first leg at home on Wednesday.

If he can somehow find a way past Arne Slot’s imperious Reds over the two ties, he will be the first Spurs boss to reach a cup final since Mourinho four years ago.

That feat did not prevent the Special One from a shock axing just four days before the day out at Wembley, which Tottenham lost to Manchester City.

Unlike with Mourinho back then, chairman Daniel Levy is understood NOT to have lost faith with Postecoglou despite him losing half of his league games this term.

There is a hope that the ex-Celtic chief will turn things around once his horrific injury list eases up.

Read the full comment piece here:

More on Trent

Slot was asked whether he had spoke to Alexander-Arnold since Sunday and replied: "Yes, but I've spoken to other players individually as well, which you do after almost every other game.

"I spoke to him before the game and then, as I already said to everyone, things I talk to him about I do not share over here [with the media].

"It is normal you talk to players always; in this situation it wasn't his best game, so there were things I had to show which he has to improve.

"That's what you always do after every game. Sometimes you show how well they did, mostly when it comes to work-rate – you don't have to show a brilliant 80-yard pass because that they know.

"Sometimes you have to show them what they can improve, but I did not only do this with Trent.

"We were just talking about Macca and I think if you look at the second goal we conceded with the cut-back cross, if he sprints a bit harder he could prevent the shot from [Amad] Diallo as well.

"So, there are always things you can improve, but in general they've worked really hard and gave everything to get a result.

"Unfortunately, we were unable to get the best result but we still got a result."

Trent under pressure

Superstar defender Trent Alexander-Arnold came in for a lot of criticism for his performance on Sunday against Manchester United.

The right-back, who continues to be linked with a move away from Anfield was torn to shreds by the likes of Roy Keane and other pundits.

Slot was asked about the England star and said: "I think we were all disappointed – not only Trent, we were all disappointed – by the way we played [against Manchester United on Sunday].

"First of all, about the result. Parts of the game we could be quite satisfied with, other parts of our game we weren't completely happy with.

"That was not only Trent, there were more things in the game that we could have done better. Trent didn't play his best game, I've said it already, but that's not for the first time in his life he didn't play the best game of his career.

"He has played so, so, so many games well for this club. Now it wasn't his best – like for some others, it wasn't the best game for some others as well.

We just pick it up and start training again, because these players know if you play 50, 60 games in a season, once in a while you don't have your best performance.

"Maybe we should highlight more how good it is that these players are able to play every three days such a good game.

"And apart from the game maybe not being the best, it was again an eventful game from Liverpool.

"All the games we've played in the last six months – and maybe even longer when Jurgen [Klopp] was here – I got many text messages from people saying, 'What a game again!'

"Unbelievable what happened the last 10 minutes, both teams playing fully for a win. That is also part of our job I think, to make it an eventful game.

"That is what we are trying to do every game, mostly with a result or winning. Now it wasn't enough to win it, but it was definitely an interesting game for everyone to watch."

Getting to know you

Antonin Kinsky is only 21 but could be trusted to start straight away despite the important of the match on Tottenham's season.

And perhaps Ange's future.

Kinsky cost £12.5million and has six Under-21 caps for the Czech Republic - he got his first senior call up in October but didn't play.

He is the son of former pro Antonin Kinsky, who won five international caps and was in squads for Euro 2004 and the 2006 as a backup to Petr Cech.

Kinsky Sr also won the Czech top flight with Slovan Liberec in 2002.

Kinsky Jr spent last season on loan at Pardubice and had been the first choice for Slavia Prague before his exit.

Postecoglu said his lack of experience and age wouldn't be an issue.

Postecoglou said: "He didn’t strike me as somebody who is going to shy away from that kind of opportunity should it come his way.

"That was a big part of bringing him in because potentially we might have to throw him in straight away."

TOTTENHAM are considering a shock loan move for Marcus Rashford, according to reports.

The 27-year-old has not featured in any of Manchester United's last six games as he eyes an Old Trafford exit.

Rashford is wanted by several sides across Europe but there is also believed to be interest from closer to home.

The Daily Mail are reporting that Tottenham would like to bring him in on loan this month after The Athletic claimed an unnamed Premier League side were weighing up a bid.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was asked about the possibility of signing Rashford back in December and he gave little away, saying: “If I looked at everyone we were linked to, I would have no time to do anything else to be honest.

"For us, we’ve been pretty disciplined in what we’re trying to build here and we’ll continue to be so.

“You can ask me about Marcus but you can ask me about every single Premier League footballer and I’ll say the same thing."

Spurs are looking to bolster their attacking options in Rashford's position, having been linked with PSG star Randal Kolo Muani.

United's wantaway England star is also on the radar of AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund.

Rashford's agent and brother Dwaine has reportedly flown to Italy to discuss a switch to the Serie A giants.

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

Any move away will supposedly depend on how much of his £325,000-a-week wages United are prepared to pay.

An option or obligation to buy could also be inserted into a deal as United are open to permanently offloading Rashford.

United could also sell Kobbie Mainoo this month amid interest from Chelsea as he is another homegrown player.

Cash raised from their sales would help ease pressure to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Rashford revealed his intention to leave United last month, saying: "For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps.

"When I leave it's going to be, ‘No hard feelings.'

"You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person.

"If I know that a situation is already bad I'm not going to make it worse.

"I've seen how other players have left in the past and I don't want to be that person.

"When I leave, I'll make a statement, and it will be from me."

TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: STAY UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST MOVES FROM THE JANUARY WINDOW

FORMER Tottenham star Emerson Royal got a little carried away while celebrating AC Milan's Supercoppa Italiana win with manager Sergio Conceicao.

Milan produced an incredible comeback from 2-0 down to beat fierce rivals Inter 3-2 in Riyadh.

Royal, 25, started the game before being substituted in the 87th minute.

Upon the final whistle, the Brazilian couldn't contain his excitement.

The full-back rose from the bench and jumped on boss Conceicao.

He then hung on the Portuguese's back for a few seconds, before running off to join his team-mates.

Conceicao, 50, winced in pain and even began to limp back towards the bench.

During the trophy ceremony, Royal went live on Instagram to share the moment with his one million followers.

Conceicao, meanwhile, didn't seem too badly hurt.

While back in the dressing room, the former Porto boss recreated his iconic celebration.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

Puffing on a cigar, Conceicao danced in front of his players.

The triumph over Inter was only Conceicao's second game in charge.

His predecessor Paulo Fonseca was sacked last month following a 1-1 draw with Roma.

Conceicao immediately took over, masterminding a 2-1 win over Juventus in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-finals in his first game in charge.

Following his trophy triumph, Conceicao will take charge of his first Serie A game at the helm this Saturday.

Milan, who are eighth in the table, will host Cagliari at San Siro.

ANGE POSTECOGLOU dropped a big hint Tottenham will sign an attacker this month.

The Spurs boss is looking for “some help in the front half” — with talks continuing over a loan deal for Randal Kolo Muani.

Meanwhile, Postecoglou has not ruled out chucking new £12.5million keeper Antonin Kinsky straight in against Liverpool for tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.

Sunday’s capture of Kinsky, 21, from Slavia Prague kicked off what

Spurs hope will be a busy month in terms of bolstering their injury-hit squad.

France star Kolo Muani, 26, is an attacking target — though Tottenham face competition from Manchester United and Juventus for the Paris Saint-Germain man.

Postecoglou said he hoped to give centre-forward Dominic Solanke some help “in the very near future”.

Asked if that meant a new signing or Richarlison returning from injury, the Aussie replied: “Both. We need some help in the front half if we can get it.”

Postecoglou wants Richarlison to have completed a fortnight in training before his return, meaning the 27-year-old will not face Liverpool — but could be in contention for next Wednesday’s derby with Arsenal.

He added: “Richy’s coming back but we’ve got to try to keep him back. It’s got to be the right fit.”

Postecoglou must decide whether to stick with goalkeeper Brandon Austin, after his Spurs debut against Newcastle on Saturday, or give Kinsky his first game.

CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

Fraser Forster is back training after missing the Toon defeat through illness but is unlikely to be ready.

Kinsky, 21, has impressed in the Europa League but only began training with his new team on Monday.

Postecoglou said: “He didn’t strike me as somebody who is going to shy away from that kind of opportunity should it come his way.

“That was a big part of bringing him in because potentially we might have to throw him in straight away.”