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Liverpool team predicted to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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Liverpool aim to stay top of the Premier League at Christmas when they travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (4.30pm GMT).

Victory in North London will ensure that the Reds sit at the summit on 25 December - something that many fans did not predict at the start of the season. Sections of supporters were unsure how Liverpool would fare under Arne Slot after he succeeded Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield hot seat.

But the Reds have continued on an upward trajectory and are fighting for silverware on four fronts, having moved into the Carabao Cup semi-finals earlier this week with a 2-1 win over Southampton. Slot was afforded to rest a swathe of his first-team players and the fringe men will be hoping they have done enough to impress.

Liverpool have not won their previous two league games, with the gap at the top being cut to two points. That is why bouncing back against Spurs is important but it will be a tough test. Tottenham have been inconsistent this season but possess plenty of threats in attack, which Slot will be wary of.

Liverpool only have Ibrahima Konate (knee) and Conor Bradley (hamstring) absent so the head coach has plenty of his troops to select from. With that in mind, here is the Reds team predicted.

GK - Alisson Becker

The No.1 has admitted Liverpool are targeting 'something special' this season. A victory over Spurs would push the Reds towards that, but Alisson will know he will be kept busy.

RB - Trent Alexander-Arnold

The vice-captain was withdrawn at half-time against Southampton with this game in mind. Will have to stop Spurs captain Son Heung-min as well as contributing going forward.

CB - Joe Gomez

Enjoyed a run in the team in his favoured position while Konate is absent. Gomez will be determined not to lose his spot when his team-mate is back fit and must continue to impress.

CB - Virgil van Dijk

The Liverpool captain did not feature at all against Southampton, which will benefit him plenty.

LB - Andy Robertson

The Scotland international hit somewhat of a bonus that his suspension for a red card in last weekend's 2-2 draw against Fulham was enforced against Southampton.

CM - Ryan Gravenberch

The Dutchman has been one of Liverpool's best players this season and was so impressive in the Fulham clash when having to drop into defence. Another who had the night off midweek.

CM - Alexis Mac Allister

The World Cup winner made his return against Southampton after missing the previous two games through suspension. Mac Allister was rusty but that was to be expected given it was his first game in 14 days.

CM - Dominik Szoboszlai

It's a close battle for the No.10 role between Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones. However, the energy of the Hungary international on a big pitch may just get him the nod.

RW - Mo Salah

Liverpool's talisman has 12 career goals against Spurs - the latest coming in the 4-2 win at Anfield last season. He will be raring to go.

ST - Darwin Nunez

There are no doubt that fans would like to see Diogo Jota back but he might not be quite ready to feature from the outset. Nunez scored against Southampton and his pace against a high Tottenham backline could see him get chances.

LW - Luis Diaz

Wrongly had a perfectly legitimate goal disallowed in this fixture last season. Diaz will be determined to put that right this time around.

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Tottenham Hotspur team news ahead of their Premier League fixture against Liverpool.

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Tottenham Hotspur are hoping that Timo Werner can be fit to face Liverpool.

Spurs will head into Sunday’s Premier League battle against the Reds without several key players. They include defensive trio Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies, No.1 goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur. Former Everton striker Richarlison, Wilson Odobert and Mikey Moore are also absent.

Werner was missing for Tottenham’s 4-3 win over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals through illness. Left-back Destiny Udogie was another left out of the squad. Spurs boss Postecoglou is optimistic both could be back against Liverpool in North Londo.

The Australian said at his pre-match press conference: "We'll see, the boys are coming in now (Friday, late morning) as it was a late night. Timo was unwell yesterday so we've got 48 hours or so before the game and hopefully he will recover. The plan is Destiny (Udogie) should be okay."

Liverpool head to Tottenham at the top of the Premier League table - two points clear of second-placed Chelsea. The Reds have lost only one game in all competitions this season. However, if they suffer defeat, they could be demoted to second should Chelsea beat Everton earlier in the afternoon.

Spurs are 10th in the league, winning as many matches as they have lost (7). Postecoglou’s attack-minded style has come under scrutiny, although Liverpool counterpart Arne Slot was full of praise for the ex-Celtic boss’ approach. In reply, Postecoglou said: “I appreciate it, kind words from somebody who is making his own impact in the game. Look, I think most fellow managers, whether they agree with my approach, will understand where I’m coming from and what I’m trying to do, so that respect is mutual from me. I said last week, we’ve all got really difficult tasks, we’ve all got our own challenges and we all go about it our own way.

“I admire the people who stick to their principles and have conviction in what they are doing whether they are successful or not, because we’re not all going to be successful as much as we’d like to. I appreciate the sentiment and most managers whether they agree with my approach or not will understand what I’m doing."

Spurs have been free-scoring, netting 36 times in the top flight - six more than Liverpool. Asked whether the encounter could finish 0-0, Postecoglou replied: "I’d be very surprised, but you never know. That would be because, like I said, they’ve got a fantastic team with unbelievable attacking threats. You’re always going to be aware of that, but we are pretty good at scoring ourselves, so we will see."

Arne Slot was booked in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Fulham.

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Arne Slot will be forced to serve a one-match touchline ban.

The Liverpool head coach picked up his third yellow card of the season during today’s 2-2 draw against Fulham at Anfield. Slot was booked for remonstrating with referee Tony Harrington after Reds midfield Curtis Jones had received a caution for a foul on Alex Iwobi in the second half.

Slot had already been given yellow cards against Chelsea and Arsenal earlier in the season. Premier League rules state managers who pick up three bookings at any point in the season must serve a one-match suspension. That will be invoked when the Reds travel to Tottenham Hotspur next Sunday.

Liverpool will also be missing Andy Robertson, who was sent-off in the first half of the Fulham clash for preventing a goalscoring opportunity. Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota were on target as the 10-man Reds twice battled from behind to earn a share of the spoils.

Andy Robertson was given a red card in Liverpool’s clash against Fulham.

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Andy Robertson was sent off in Liverpool’s clash against Fulham.

The left-back received his marching orders in the 17th minute for bringing down Cottagers winger Harry Wilson at Anfield. Robertson’s heavy touch allowed Wilson on goal and the Liverpool defender committed a foul that was deemed that have denied a goalscoring opportunity to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. Andreas Pereira broke the deadlock for Fulham on 11 minutes.

A VAR check took place as to whether Wilson had strayed offside - but he was ruled onside and Robertson was given his marching orders. It means the Scotland international has to serve a one-match suspension against Tottenham Hotspur next weekend. A statement from the Premier League Match Centre on X said: “The referee issued a red card to Robertson for a foul on Wilson which denied a goalscoring opportunity. VAR checked to confirm the red card and that Wilson was in an onside position.”

In the first minute of the game, Robertson was on the end of a foul by Issa Diop, who received a yellow card. That incident was also checked by VAR but stuck with on-field referee Tony Harington’s decision.

The referee issued a yellow card to Diop for a challenge on Robertson. VAR checked for a potential red card and confirmed the referee’s call of reckless challenge and yellow card. A statement from the Premier League Match Centre on X said: “The referee issued a yellow card to Diop for a challenge on Robertson. VAR checked for a potential red card and confirmed the referee’s call of reckless challenge and yellow card.”

Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League next weekend.

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Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed they have suffered a major double injury blow just more than a week before they face Liverpool.

The Reds make the trip to North London on Sunday 22 December hoping to still be top of the Premier League at Christmas. As things stand, Arne Slot’s side sit four points clear at the summit with a game in hand on second-place Chelsea. While Liverpool first face Fulham at Anfield on Saturday before travelling to Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, the Spurs game will be tricky.

That is despite Ange Postecoglou’s side hitting a difficult patch of form. They were expected to challenge for the top four this season but last weekend’s 4-3 loss to Chelsea - having led by two goals after just 11 minutes - left Tottenham languishing 11th.

To compound their concerns, centre-back duo Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven were both forced off injury. Tottenham face Rangers in the Europa League tonight and Postecoglou has admitted the pair are set for periods on the treatment table. The Spurs boss said: "Not great news about Cristian and Micky unfortunately.

"They've both had setbacks at the weekend so we'll wait and see but they won't be available for the next period of games.

"That affects tomorrow night, that affects us for the next few games so the fact they're the same position affects us even more, especially with Ben out in the same position. We're in a bit of a tough spot but a great opportunity for us to overcome the odds and hopefully create something special."

Along with Romeo and Van de Ven, first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is absent for a prolonged period after having ankle surgery last month. Meanwhile, versatile defender Ben Davies is struggling with a hamstring injury and midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is serving a seven-game ban for a racist slur made about team-mate Son Heung-min. Former Everton striker Richarlison is out until after the new year with a thigh problem while Wilson Odobert had hamstring surgery in November.

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Liverpool face Fulham in the Premier League and one player is walking a disciplinary tightrope.

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Alexis Mac Allister has enjoyed a few days off exploring Saint Moritz - not that he would have wanted it.

While the Liverpool midfielder might not have predicted he’d be enjoying a winter break in the Swiss Alps before Christmas, that is what he was granted. It’s one that made sense, too.

A suspension in the Champions League for accruing three yellow cards was served during the 1-0 win Girona earlier this week. And with the Merseyside derby against Everton postponed last weekend, Mac Allister’s Premier League one-game ban for five bookings carries over to the visit of Fulham on Saturday.

Given that Mac Allister will go 14 days without a match - he is next eligible to face Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday 17 December - it’s easy to see why he was given a leave of absence. The Argentina international has been a key player for Arne Slot’s English and European table toppers.

At this time of the season, clubs throughout the Premier League are wary of potential suspensions. Any player who is cautioned five times in the first 19 fixtures must serve a one-game ban. And as Liverpool prepare to host Fulham, aiming to restore a seven-point lead at the summit of the table, Ryan Gravenberch is walking a disciplinary tightrope. The midfielder has started all 14 top-flight games this season and was an ever-present before being substituted in a 3-3 draw against Newcastle United.

Gravenberch picked up his fourth booking at St James’ Park - and means he is close to a ban. The Netherlands international has to avoid a yellow card in the next five games to ensure he does not have to sit out a match. Should Gravenberch receive a caution against Fulham then he will be out for the trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday 22 December.

Ibrahima Konate is also on four bookings but the centre-back is sidelined with a knee injury. Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, Dominic Szobsozlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold are on three cautions respectively.

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Liverpool FC news: The Reds face Tottenham on December 22 but the London club could be without a key starter for the Premier League clash.

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Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur could miss up to seven matches as an FA investigation into an alleged rule breach continues, meaning he could miss the London club’s clash with Liverpool in December.

The two sides are set to lock horns at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 22, as Arne Slot will hope to gain revenge for his side’s late defeat last season under Jurgen Klopp. Despite it being just over a month away, Spurs could be without a key starter.

Bentancur, 27, is currently under investigation for comments he made relating to team-mate Son Heung-min. In fact, he was charged in September by the FA with an alleged breach of Football Association (FA) rules over the comments made. He was forced to apologise after saying, in a quote translated from Spanish, that South Korea international Son and his cousins “all look the same” on television programme Por la Camiseta, which is broadcast in his native Uruguay.

As per the rules from the FA, relayed by The Athletic, he was accused of acting “in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute.” The FA added in a statement that the charge further constitutes an “aggravated breach” under FA Rule E3.2, as it allegedly “involved references to nationality, race, or ethnic origin.”

The translation of Bentancur’s comment on the Spurs club captain reads as: “Sonny, or a cousin of Sonny, they all look the same”. He later issued an apology to Son on social media while also doing so privately.

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“Sonny, brother! I am sorry for what happened, it was a joke in bad taste,” Bentancur wrote. “You know that I love you and I would never disrespect you or hurt you or anyone. I love you brother!”

The Athletic suggest that Spurs are expecting a long suspension for the player which could result in him missing potentially up to seven games. Those would include Manchester City, Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Southampton and Liverpool while they also face Manchester United in a Carabao Cup quarter-final in December.

If he is suspended for those games, it would be a big blow for Ange Postecoglou who has started him 10 times across all competitions. Having been vastly experienced at Juventus and Boca Juniors, he has been a key player for the club when fit, having spent the majority of 2023 due to a Cruciate injury.

Everton are set to move into their new stadium at the start of the 2025-26 season.

Prospective Everton owner John Textor has insisted the club’s new stadium is not a pivotal reason behind his takeover.

Textor has been granted exclusivity to complete a purchase from Toffees majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri. The American is hopeful of completing a deal by 30 November but will first have to sell his 45% stake in Crystal Palace because of Premier League rules.

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Everton are in a difficult financial situation, having lost almost £400 million in the past four years while more than £600 million in debt is owed to 777 Partners/ A-Cap, the Freidkin Group - both of whom saw prospective takeovers collapse earlier this year - and Rights & Media Funding. But the Toffees’ new state-of-the-art stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock is set to increase the club’s avenue significantly when it opens at the start of the 2025-26 season.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Textor admitted he prefers old stadiums such as Goodison Park and Palace’s Selhurst Park - and dislikes Tottenham Hotspur’s cutting-edge ground that opened in 2019. But he’s wary that Everton’s 52,888-seat stadium on the Liverpool waterfront will be crucial as he wants the Blues to again be challenging for major trophies.

Textor said: "Not for me... I don't like Tottenham. I go into that stadium, and I think it's too nice. I remember the first couple of games I went there and the people I was with were in this banquet hall, and I thought: ‘This isn't football' and I really believe that.

"It's way too nice a stadium for football. I remember as an owner of Crystal Palace watching them have one of the best games they've had in a long time under Patrick Vieira against Everton. We were 2-0 up but then Everton came out and turned it around.

"People were running all over the stadium and I was sat just above the dugout. I was thinking, 'what a weird stadium, what a weird layout... but what a beautiful stadium'. It's like going to Fenway Park where you have a big pole in front of you. You can't see the field but it's what's beautiful about it.

"For me, I would still be interested in Everton if they were playing on a pitch next to Goodison Park. I would stay at Goodison forever, but investors are clearly supportive because when we talk about the capital that I have to buy the club, I do believe I can take this squad well beyond its current level of competitiveness alone.

"But let's face it, we don't want Everton to be bouncing around eighth place forever. We want to win a title, and so to do that you need serious capital. I've always been very good at accessing it in my life, and so the stadium is huge in that respect.

"The fact that somebody else paid for this incredible place, with these luxury suites and glass VIP rooms, that kind of stuff is amazing from a capital perspective. But from the fans' perspective, it's important to them it's important to me."

Everton face a right-back crisis for the trip to Tottenham Hotspur.

Sean Dyche has ruled out Roman Dixon coming to Everton's rescue as they face a right-back crisis for the trip to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Toffees' 2024-25 Premier League campaign started with a 3-0 loss against Brighton at Goodison Park. And to compound Everton's misery, Ashley Young was given a straight red card and must serve a one-match suspension.

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The Blues travel to Tottenham on Saturday without a recognised right-sided full-back. Young is banned while Seamus Coleman (calf) and Nathan Patterson (hamstring) are injured. James Garner is a centre-midfielder but has played full-back previously for Everton and England under-21s - yet has a calf issue of his own.

Dixon, 19, was part of Dyche's squad throughout pre-season and featured in several friendlies. He was not on the bench against Brighton, though, and featured for the under-21s in a 3-1 win over Blackburn the night previously.

But when asked if he could turn to the academy to ease Everton's issues, Dyche admitted it is unlikely. The Goodison boss said: “It’s a big ask for under-21s to dive straight in but we’ll certainly have to look at the best available options. Certainly for the next week. You never know for the cup game and two weeks' time.”

Unless Dyche opts to deploy an alternative formation, Mason Holgate is likely to feature at right-back against Tottenham. The defender was loaned to Southampton and Sheffield United last term, while he's fifth choice in the centre-back pecking order.

Holgate came off the bench in the 85th minute against Brighton as Dyche was already thinking about the Tottenham game. He added: “The squad is what it is. We have added to it and tried to find a balance but have been a bit unfortunate with injuries.

“None of them apart from Youssef [Chermiti’s] are drastic but they are all two or three weeks and that can cost you at this early stage when you’ve got the games coming and have just finished pre-season.”

Tottenham host Everton in the Premier League next week and the visitors face a defensive crisis.

Everton face a right-back crisis ahead of their trip to Tottenham Hotspur next weekend.

The Toffees suffered a 3-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion on the opening day of the season. And to compound Sean Dyche’s side’s misery, they finished the game with 10 men as Ashley Young was given a straight red card for fouling Kaoru Mitoma.

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Young featured at right-back against Brighton - being the only option available - but now must serve a one-match suspension.

Nathan Patterson is on the comeback trail from a hamstring injury he suffered in April and missed the entire pre-season. Meanwhile, Seamus Coleman has a calf issue he sustained in a 1-1 friendly draw against AS Roma.

James Garner, who is a centre-midfielder, has played on the right-hand side of defence in the past for Everton and England under-21s. Yet the former Manchester United man has a calf problem of his own and was absent against Brighton.

Dyche admitted after the Seagulls loss that it’s unlikely any will be back for the trip to Tottenham on Saturday 24 August. Speaking at his post-match press conference, the Everton boss said: “Highly unlikely they’ll be fit. [All three] won’t be fit.”

On Young’s sending off, Dyche said: “Youngy knows he should head that not bring it down.”

Everton were also without Jarrad Branthwaite against Brighton. The key centre-back had minor groin surgery earlier in the summer and did not feature throughout the pre-season period.

Youssef Chermiti remains unavailable after he had foot surgery earlier this month and versatile youngster Stanley Mills continues his rehab from a long-term knee injury.