LiverpoolWorld

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com

and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Visit Shots! now

Liverpool had a quiet January transfer window

Sign up to our Liverpool FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Liverpool didn’t end up signing anyone in January. Arne Slot’s side didn’t rush into any deals and have stuck with what they already have at their disposal.

The Reds have had an impressive season to date as they eye the Premier League title. They are sat at the top fo the table.

Slot was picked as their replacement for Jurgen Klopp last year. He has since adapted well to life in England after catching the eye in Holland.

Liverpool eye David Hancko

Liverpool have identified Feyenood defender David Hancko as a ‘target’ ahead of the summer, according to CaughtOffside. Fellow top flight sides Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have also been mentioned as potential suitors.

Hancko, 27, could be seen by the Reds as someone to boost their defensive ranks. He can play as either a centre-back or full-back.

He joined Feyenoord back in 2022 and is a player who Slot knows well. The Slovakia international has been a key player for the Eredivisie outfit over recent times and has made 121 appearances in all competitions, 28 of which have come this season, and he has chipped in with 14 goals.

Hancko has been on the books of Zilina, Fiorentina and Sparta Prague in the past. His current could face a battle to keep hold of him in the future with Liverpool linked along with rivals Chelsea and Spurs.

The Reds have the chance to freshen up their ranks when the next window opens. Their recruitment has been very shrewd over recent times and their transfers team works hard behind the scenes to bring in the right type of players and characters to suit their culture.

What now for Liverpool?

Liverpool are back in action on Wednesday with a derby clash against Everton. They are six points clear of Arsenal with a game in hand and will be full of confidence at the moment as they look to keep their momentum going.

The Reds have a Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United to look forward. Following their semi-final win over Tottenham Hotspur, Slot said: “Our performance today was something that pleased me most. Reaching a final should always be special, even for this club.

“This club is used to playing finals, but still then we are working very hard every single day to try to improve players – and the players want to improve themselves every single day – but we are also in this business to play finals. We already know how difficult the final is going to be because we faced Newcastle already and they were very impressive yesterday as well. But, [there are] many games to be played before this final and this is where our focus should be at.”

Liverpool team to face Tottenham Hotspur oi the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.

Sign up to our Liverpool FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Liverpool have made four changes as they face Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.

The Reds need to overturn a 1-0 defeat from the first clash in North London if they are to reach Wembley.

However, there is no Alisson Becker in the squad. The goalkeeper does not feature so Caoimhin Kelleher - who was the designated stopper when Liverpool won the Carabao Cup last season and in 2022 under Jurgen Klopp - is between the posts. Viteslav Jaros provides cover on the bench.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is ruled out with injury as expected to Conor Bradley comes in at right-back. Meanwhile, Curtis Jones replaces Alexis Mac Allister in the engine room and Darwin Nunez spearheads the attack in the place of Luis Diaz.

Liverpool: Kelleher, Bradley, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai, Salah, Nunez, Gakpo

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com

and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Visit Shots! now

The 17-year-old attracted interest from clubs in the Premier League and Europe.

Sign up to our Everton FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

A teenage prospect linked with a swathe of clubs has made a decision over his future.

Mason Melia is regarded as the hottest prospect in the Republic of Ireland. The 17-year-old forward currently plays for St Patrick’s Athletic and is already a first-team regular. He was handed his debut aged 15 years and 132 days old when scoring off the bench against Wexford in February 2023. He has made a total of 54 appearances for St Pat’s netting 10 goals and played in the Dublin-based side’s Europa Conference League qualifiers in the summer. He is also the youngest player to have won the FAI Cup.

It has been no surprise that Melia has attracted interest aplenty. Everton were one of the clubs who were reportedly keen on prising the youngster from the Emerald Isle to Goodison Park along with Manchester City, Chelsea, Celtic and Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.

However, Tottenham Hotspur have won the race. Melia has agreed to join Spurs in January 2026. He cannot move to North London until he turns 18 because of post-Brexit rules. Tottenham have reportedly paid €2 million although that fee could rise to €4 million and they have a 20 per cent sell-on clause. That is a record fee for a League of Ireland player.

Irish recruitment

Everton have used the Irish market to their advantage on several occasions. Most famously, the Toffees recruited Seamus Coleman from Sligo Rover for just £60,000 in 2009. The right-back has etched himself into Goodison folklore, making 426 appearances and scoring 28 goals, and is the current club captain. Last month, Coleman took the team alongside Leighton Baines for a 2-0 FA Cup win over Peterborough United after Sean Dyche was sacked as manager.

Shane Duffy moved to Everton a year earlier and while he made only 10 appearances, the centre-back went on to be a Premier League regular at Brighton & Hove Albion and still plays for Championship side Norwich City.

Last summer, Everton fended off competition to bring Braiden Graham to Merseyside. The forward became Linfield’s youngest player when he made his bow aged 15 years and 137 days in November 2023 and scored his first goal the following month after turning 16.

Graham has made an eye-catching impression since moving to the Blues. In November, when he turned 17, he was rewarded with a professional contract as he penned a three-year deal. The Northern Ireland youth international has fired seven goals in 14 times for Everton under-18s this season.

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com

and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Visit Shots! now

Liverpool team predicted to face Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Anfield.

Sign up to our Liverpool FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Arne Slot will make at least one change as Liverpool look to book their spot at Wembley yet again.

The Reds welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Anfield in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg. They trail 1-0 on aggregate from the opening meeting in North London but are still favourites to go through and face Newcastle United in the showpiece fixture in the capital next month. Liverpool are top of the Premier League by six points while Spurs languish in 14th, having been hit by injury issues aplenty this season.

Liverpool are the holders of the competition and have won it for a record 10 times. It represents a chance for Slot to yield silverware for the first time since succeeding Jurgen Klopp in the hot seat last summer.

Slot has the luxury of 24 players being available, with only Trent Alexander-Arnold out injured, so will have to make squad omissions. He’ll also be weighing up his starting XI and whether to make tweaks from last Saturday’s 2-0 win at AFC Bournemouth.

Ahead of the Tottenham game, here’s the Liverpool team predicted.

Goalkeeper - Alisson Becker

Caoimhin Kelleher was the designated Carabao Cup goalkeeper under Klopp - helping Liverpool win the competition twice. But Alisson played in the first leg against Tottenham as Slot wanted the No.1 to build rhythm. With Kelleher featuring in last week’s Champions League loss at PSV Eindhoven and an FA Cup tie at Plymouth approaching, Slot could make another bold decision and hand Alisson the gloves.

RB - Conor Bradley

Alexander-Arnold’s absence means that Bradley is set to make a start. He played in both semi-finals against Fulham last term and the victory over Chelsea at Wembley so is used to the big occasion.

CB - Ibrahima Konate

Started to find some momentum after recovering from a knee injury. The fact that Liverpool face Plymouth in the FA Cup at the weekend means Konate can be rested.

CB - Virgil van Dijk

There is not a defender in better form this term and the Reds’ captain would relish lifting another trophy aloft.

LB - Andy Robertson

It’s a close call for the position this season. However, Robertson remains just ahead in the pecking order and while he’s not been at his very best at times, he was assured at Bournemouth.

CM - Ryan Gravenberch

The Netherlands international needs little introduction. He has been imperious this season. The midfield battle could be important in the game as it’s an area where Tottenham do have options.

CM - Alexis Mac Allister

The former Brighton man has been one of Liverpool’s most consistent players this season although he must keep his discipline, with some feeling he might have been fortunate not to have picked up a second yellow card at Bournemouth.

CM - Dominik Szoboszlai

Curtis Jones came off the bench to make a difference at Bournemouth, assisting the second goal, but Szoboszlai’s energy and pressing is crucial in the No.10 role.

RW - Mo Salah

How Liverpool’s talisman would relish being the man to take his side back to Wembley. You’d scarcely bet against it.

ST - Luis Diaz

Not a conventional number nine but Diaz’s movement causes plenty of problems and it means Darwin Nunez will have to wait for his next chance.

LW - Cody Gakpo

Become a fans’ favourite this season given his prolific form and will aim to put Tottenham on the back foot as much as possible.

Subs

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com

and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Visit Shots! now

Liverpool team news ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.

Sign up to our Liverpool FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

It's a decision that Arne Slot has admitted will be the most difficult.

It's not who features at left-back between Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas as Liverpool aim to reach Wembley yet again. Nor is it whether Caoimhin Kelleher has to sit out in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg despite helping the Reds win the competition twice in the past three seasons.

As Liverpool aim to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Tottenham Hotspur, Slot's most challenging call for Slot will instead be who has to watch the showdown knowing they will play no part on the night.

Slot’s stance

Trent Alexander-Arnold is the only squad member set to be unavailable because of injury. Even his issue isn't serious, with the Reds vice-captain already in individual training after coming off in last weekend's 2-0 win at Bournemouth.

As a result, Liverpool have 23 senior players in contention to face Spurs - and can select just 20. Nine substitutes are permitted like in the Premier League and FA Cup, although Slot would like to see the rule be brought in line with UEFA.

"I don't understand why we don't go to 23 in this country because this country plays the most games everywhere around the world and we only have 20 players that we can take to the games," said head coach Slot at his pre-match press conference.

"Since it is the rule over here that is probably going to be the most difficult decision I have to make – not the first XI, but to leave someone out that worked so hard on a daily basis, that wants to be involved in the game as well. Not even taking him to the game, that's the hardest decision for me to make."

Decisions to make

In truth, it is a luxury for Slot to have so many players available. How Spurs counterpart Ange Postecoglou will envy the Liverpool chief's situation given the lengthy injury list on North London.

To start, third-choice goalkeeper Viteslav Jaros will be surplus to requirements. The Czech-born stopper impressed when he was given a chance in the Carabao Cup fourth-round win at Brighton.

Tyler Morton is another who will already be expecting to be uninvolved. The midfielder has played only five times this season, with three coming in the competition. Morton was linked with a deadline-day exit to Middlesbrough but their offer fell well short. And while James McConnell was kept at Anfield to provide cover and competition, having attracted loan interest from the second tier, he’s also likely to miss out.

The other decision Slot makes will be intriguing. Surveying the options, it is between three players - Joe Gomez, Jarell Quansah and Federico Chiesa. Both Gomez and Chiesa were omitted from the squad against Bournemouth. Gomez has recovered from a hamstring injury while Chiesa playing his first 90 minutes in the 3-2 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League last week.

Gomez is capable of playing at right-back so could be the natural replacement for Alexander-Arnold. But with Liverpool needing to turn around the tie, Slot could look to load up his forward players so Chiesa could be recalled. There is the possibility of leaving out Quansah, though. Gomez can cover both the right-hand side of defence and centrally. It would be harsh on Quansah, however, considering he has started all four Carabao Cup games so far.

Slot will take no relish from having to inform the unlucky players who will not feature. Not one bit. But it is part and parcel of being a manager.

Liverpool vs Tottenham team news ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Anfield.

Sign up to our Liverpool FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Liverpool look to book their return to Wembley when they face Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Anfield on Thursday.

The Reds are the current holders of the competition and have won it a record 10 times. But they will have to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Spurs, having lost the opening clash in North London last month.

Arne Slot’s side will be favourites to go through, though. They are six points clear at the top of the Premier League table and earned a gutsy 2-0 win at Europe-chasing AFC Bournemouth last weekend.

The pressure eased on Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou after they earned a 2-0 triumph over Brentford - their first league win in seven games. Postecoglou has insisted he always delivers trophies in his second season during his career - while Slot is hoping he can guide Liverpool to his maiden piece of silverware since succeeding Jurgen Klopp in the hot seat.

Ahead of the game, here is a look at the team news for both sides.

Tottenham team news

Dominic Solanke - out

The former Liverpool striker has a knee injury and will not be available for another couple of weeks.

Radu Dragusin - out

Spurs have confirmed that the centre-back has suffered an ACL injury and he won’t played again this season. A club statement said: “We can confirm that Radu Dragusin will undergo surgery for an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury to his right knee. The 23-year-old defender suffered the injury during our UEFA Europa League victory against Elfsborg last Thursday. Radu will be assessed by our medical team to determine when he can return to training.”

Guglielmo Vicario - out

The No.1 goalkeeper is on the mend from ankle surgery he had in November. Vicario has been spotted back in training but after signing Antonin Kinsky last month, there is less pressure on the Italy international to get back.

Brennan Johnson - out

The winger is one of several Tottenham players who are expected to be back soon but not likely for the Liverpool game.

Destiny Udogie - out

The first-choice left-back is currently coming back from a hamstring issue but might be available again in the coming weeks.

Timo Werner - out

The RB Leipzig loanee finds himself in the same situation as Udogie.

Wilson Odobert - out

The attacking midfielder has been unavailable since November after he suffered a serious hamstring complaint.

James Maddison - doubt

The midfielder has been unavailable for Tottenham’s previous three games with a calf issue.

Mathys Tel - minor doubt

The forward arrived at Spurs from Bayern Munich on deadline day. However, the 19-year-old may have to wait and see if his work permit comes through to feature.

Micky van de Ven - minor doubt

The Holland international made his return from a hamstring injury in a 3-0 win over Elfsborg in the Europa League last week. But he missed out against Brentford with Postecoglou not taking a risk on Van de Ven’s fitness.

Cristian Romero - major doubt

The key Tottenham centre-half is currently recovering from a fairly serious hamstring issue. Spurs do not want to rush him back to fitness.

Liverpool team news

Trent Alexander-Arnold - major doubt

The Reds vice-captain was forced off in the 70th minute against Bournemouth. It’s suggested that Alexander-Arnold’s issue is not serious but the likelihood is that he’s not risked against Tottenham.

Joe Gomez - potential return

The versatile defender has recovered from a hamstring injury picked up in a 5-0 win at West Ham at the end of December. If Alexander-Arnold is absent then Gomez could take his spot.

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com

and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Visit Shots! now

Liverpool prepare to welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Anfield in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.

Sign up to our Liverpool FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Tottenham Hotspur have missed out on a chance to add to their defensive ranks ahead of their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool.

Spurs have been blighted by injuries for several months. While Micky van de Ven recently returned from a hamstring injury, Radu Dragusin has suffered an ACL issue that means he won’t play again this season, per the Evening Standard.

Meanwhile, Cristian Romero is still recovering from a hamstring issue, with left-back Destiny Udogie also out. And while they have signed Kevin Danso on loan from Lens, Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou wanted another option through the door.

Spurs had been keen on signing Axel Disasi from Chelsea on loan for the rest of the season. However, the France international has opted against staying in London and preferred a move to Aston Villa. It’s a disappointment for Postecoglou, although Tottenham did bolster their attack by bringing in Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich on loan.

A Spurs statement said: “We are delighted to announce the signing of Mathys Tel on loan from Bayern Munich, subject to international clearance and work permit.

“The France Under-21 international will join the Club on loan until the end of the 2024/25 season with an option to make the move permanent in the summer. He will wear the number 11 shirt.”

Liverpool will head into the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final trailing 1-0 on aggregate. The Reds suffered a slender defeat in the opening encounter in North London last month.

Liverpool are the current holders of the competition after beating Chelsea in last year’s final. Arne Slot has the chance to take the Reds to Wembley for the first time since he succeeded Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield hot seat. Liverpool are still fighting on four fronts as they top the Premier League by six points and are into the last 16 of the Champions League. The Reds also go to Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.

Liverpool head into the Spurs game against the backdrop of a gutsy 2-0 win at AFC Bournemouth. Postecoglou’s men, meanwhile, got a much-needed 2-0 triumph against Brentford having failed to win their previous seven league games.

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com

and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Visit Shots! now

Liverpool trail Tottenham 1-0 on aggregate ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Anfield.

Sign up to our Liverpool FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Tottenham Hotspur could have two new defenders in their ranks when they face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Spurs hold a 1-0 aggregate lead heading into the second leg at Anfield on Thursday night. And having come under pressure, Ange Postecoglou’s side got a much-needed Premier League win under their belt as they beat Brentford 2-0 yesterday.

Potential double deal

Tottenham hadn’t won in the top flight in their previous seven top-flight games, with head coach Postecoglou coming under pressure. Spurs have been hampered by injury issues, especially in defence, but have made one addition before tonight’s 11pm GMT deadline. Kevin Danso has arrived on loan from French side Lens. Meanwhile, Chelsea have reportedly agreed to loan Axel Disasi to their London rivals, but the centre-back has already agreed terms with Aston Villa.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano posted on X: “Tottenham have agreed loan deal with Chelsea for Axel Disasi, no buy option clause and loan fee included. Axel Disasi, not accepting Spurs bid… as he already agreed terms with Aston Villa. Chelsea have NO intention to negotiate with Villa as UCL spot competitors.”

On the arrival of Danso, Postecoglou said: “Great to get Kevin in. We desperately need a defender, but getting him is great because he's a great fit for us. He's had a strong career, but he's at an age now where he really wants to kick on. He's got all the attributes we look for, he's really strong one-on-one, he's quick, he's dynamic, he wants to play on the ball, so, and like I said he's just at a stage of his career where he's really determined to kick on now and make an impact. So really pleased, I think it'll be a lift for the whole group.”

Van de Ven latest

Ahead of the Liverpool clash, Tottenham took no risks and did not involve Micky van de Ven against Brentford. The key defender has only recently recovered from a hamstring issue, having made his return in a 3-0 win over Elfsborg in the Europa League.

Postecoglou is hoping that more training will ensure that Van de Ven is primed to face Arne Slot’s Premier League leaders, with a place at Wembley at stake. The Australian said at his post-match press conference: “The plan was maybe to play him 45 again today. But then we had a think about it, spoke to Micky as well. And I thought, I'd rather he has another full week of training, get ready for Thursday night, that's a big game for us as well.

“We had Djed [Spence] back today, which gave me some comfort that we could cover him. He was never going to play more than 45 minutes today. I just felt, after discussing it with the medical team and with Micky as well, as desperate as he is to play, I just think we've got to be really smart about how we integrate him back into the team. And obviously Thursday night's a big game for us. And again, having a week of training, hopefully we'll get him ready for that.”

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com

and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Visit Shots! now

Ange Postecoglou has given an update on the Tottenham Hotspur forward as their Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool looms.

Sign up to our Liverpool FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that they’ll be without another key player for their Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool.

Spurs will travel to Anfield on Thursday 2 February holding a 1-0 aggregate lead from the opening encounter in North London earlier this month. Ange Postecoglou’s side have had their struggles lately and a 3-2 loss at Everton last weekend left them 15th in the Premier League. Liverpool, on the other hand, are six points clear at the summit of the table

Injuries have taken their toll on Tottenham. Last night, they battled to a 3-2 Europa League win over Hoffenheim. They were again without Dominic Solanke, a £65 million signing from AFC Bournemouth in the summer transfer window. The former Liverpool striker sustained a knee issue in training last week - and he is set to spent around six weeks on the treatment table, which means he cannot feature against Liverpool.

Head coach Postecoglou said: “With Dom, the information now is that we are looking at around the six-week mark. No surgery. Maybe we can get him back a little bit earlier, just see how he progresses. But at this stage it’s saying around six weeks.”

Tottenham did welcome back Rodrigo Bentancur against Hoffenheim after he suffered a concussion in the early stages of the Liverpool semi-final first-leg encounter. But, as things stand, 10 Spurs players are absent with injury.

Midfield duo Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr have minor issues. Meanwhile, key centre-back Cristian Romero has returned to training from a hamstring issue but needs to time regain fitness. Romero could be back against Liverpool but fellow defender Micky van de Ven (hamstring) may face a race against time.

Tottenham are set to definitely be without Solanke, No.1 goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, first-choice left-back Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner and Wilson Odobert when they face the Reds in under two weeks’ time.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have two players unavailable in Diogo Jota (muscle) and Joe Gomez (hamstring). However, Curtis Jones was forced off at half-time in the 2-1 win over Lille in the Champions League earlier this week. Head coach Arne Slot will provide an update on Jones ahead of the Premier League encounter against Ipswich Town tomorrow.

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com

and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Visit Shots! now

Liverpool face Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg later this month.

Sign up to our Liverpool FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Ange Postecoglou has admitted that Tottenham Hotspur have more injury woes ahead of their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool.

The Reds will welcome Spurs to Anfield on Thursday 6 February aiming to overturn a 1-0 loss from the first leg in North London earlier this month.

Tottenham have been on a woeful run of form and haven't won in their past five Premier League games. Yesterday, they suffered a 3-2 loss at the hands of Everton, which leaves Spurs 15th in the table. As a result, pressure has piled on head coach Ange Postecoglou although injuries have played their part.

Against Everton, Tottenham were missing centre-back duo Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, first-choice left-back Destiny Udogie, No.1 goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, Rodrigo Bentancur and Wilson Odobert.

In addition, Yves Bissouma, Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke were new absentees. Postecoglou has admitted Johnson, a £47.5 million signing from Nottingham Forest in August 2023 will spend 3-4 weeks on the sidelines and, therefore, will be ruled out against Liverpool. Bissoum’s issue is not thought to be serious. The Australian said: “It's probably three or four weeks, he did it in the second half against Arsenal the other night. So yeah, we're looking at three to four weeks."

In addition, Solanke has a knee problem that was sustained while taking a shot in training and will be absent for a 'couple of weeks, which means he will be doubtful to face Liverpool. The former Reds striker joined Tottenham from Bournemouth last summer for a fee that could reach £65 million.

Postecoglou added: "It's a pretty extreme situation, we've lost three players, significant players since, the last game and we've already got seven or eight out. Obviously, we lost Dom really late yesterday in training, something innocuous, so it's just the run we're on at the moment, the situation we're in. At some point that will change, we'll get some players back, but right now it's just the situation we're dealt and the responsibility lies squarely with me to try to get us out of it.

"Not totally, I mean it was just one of these things and he just sort of went to shoot on his own and twisted it, so we don't think it's serious, but probably a few weeks at this stage from what I've heard."

However, Postecoglou insists that his Tottenham players still have plenty to be motivated for - as he namechecked the Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool as one of them. He said: “We are still in four competitions this season. We are in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup, we have a couple of big European games coming up, still in the FA Cup, obviously our league position is not great to say the least. We need to improve that and eventually our players will come back. It is a significant talent that will come back. It is not like this is what it is, there is motivation to get through this so that when we do get our players back we can get something significant out of our season.”