This Is Anfield

Tottenham‘s appeal to reduce Rodrigo Bentancur’s seven-match ban over comments he made about team-mate Son Heung-min has been dismissed.

The Uruguay midfielder was given the suspension by an independent commission on November 18 and two days later, Spurs indicated they would appeal.

On Tuesday, the Football Association confirmed an appeal board had dismissed Tottenham‘s challenge against that sanction.

“This appeal was dismissed following a hearing, and the seven-match suspension remains as ordered by the regulatory commission,” the governing body said in a statement.

Remaining games Bentancur will miss

Man United (H) – Carabao Cup

Liverpool (H) – Premier League

Bentancur was charged with misconduct in September over a television interview he gave in his home country in June, with the reference to Son’s race making it an aggravated breach.

The standard minimum ban where such a breach is established is six matches, but Spurs said they felt the sanction was “severe” when confirming their intention to appeal.

Bentancur was asked during an interview to show the shirt of a Spurs player, and replied: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”

Bentancur apologised on Instagram to Son for his remarks and Son accepted that apology in a statement on the same platform.

“I’ve spoken with Lolo [Bentancur]. He made a mistake, he knows this and has apologised,” the South Korea captain said.

“Lolo would not mean to ever intentionally say something offensive. We are brothers and nothing has changed at all.

“We’re past this, we’re united and we will be back together in pre-season to fight for our club as one.”

Bentancur was also fined £100,000.

Tottenham‘s current injury crisis continues to worsen, with their Premier League clash with Liverpool now just 10 days away.

The Reds make the trip to Tottenham on December 22, in what represents one of their most challenging festive fixtures.

That said, Ange Postecoglou’s men are one of the most inconsistent teams in the division, losing at home to Ipswich but then winning 4-0 away to Man City last month.

With the visit of Liverpool edging closer, Spurs are in the midst of an injury crisis, with the problems now racking up for the manager:

Guglielmo Vicario (ankle)

Micky van de Ven (hamstring)

Cristian Romero (thigh)

Ben Davies (thigh)

Rodrigo Bentancur (suspended)

Richarlison (hamstring)

Discussing the current situation ahead of his team’s Europa League meeting with Rangers at Ibrox on Thursday, Postecoglou couldn’t hide his frustration.

“It’s challenging. We’ve also got Ben Davies out who played a big part while the other two have been out,” Postecoglou said per football.london.

“It’s no secret we’re thin on numbers both squad wise and position wise.

“But it is what is, we can’t change that, we’ve got some big games coming up starting tomorrow.

“We’ll have to deal with what we’ve got. I’m still confident we’ll be able to get the job done with players at our disposal.”

The extent of Spurs’ injuries has even seen the club launch a second review of their medical department, according to the Evening Standard, as they look to get to the bottom of the issue.

The north Londoners are definitely without Guglielmo Vicario, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Richarlison against Liverpool, while Ben Davies is a doubt with a thigh problem.

Meanwhile, midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is serving a seven-match domestic ban for a racially insensitive comment about teammate Son Heung-min.

How Spurs could line up against Liverpool

With time running out before the Liverpool match, Spurs are under threat of having to name a makeshift starting XI against the Premier League leaders.

Veteran goalkeeper Fraser Forster will start without the influential Vicario around, while a centre-back pairing of Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin is possible unless Davies is fit.

Not having first-choice duo Romero and Van de Ven is one thing, but having to play 18-year-old right-back Gray out of position is even more problematic.

Bentancur’s box-to-box energy in midfield is a loss, although the likes of Yves Bissmoua, Pape Sarr, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison represent good options.

Son, Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke make up a dangerous attack – Johnson has been ill recently – so there is still quality that can hurt Liverpool.

There is no doubt that they look depleted, which can only bode well for Slot and his players.

Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been given a seven-match domestic ban by the Football Association for an alleged racist remark made about team-mate Son Heung-min in a TV interview.

Bentancur was charged by the FA on September 12 with an alleged misconduct breach in relation to a media interview, which emerged in June and showed Bentancur being asked by the host of Canal 10 to show the shirt of a Spurs player.

Former Juventus player Bentancur replied: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”

While an apology from Bentancur was swiftly forthcoming, due to this being an “aggravated breach”, an independent regulatory commission panel were required to either uphold the FA charge or dismiss the case.

The independent regulatory commission panel upheld the charge and Bentancur is set to sit out Tottenham’s next seven domestic fixtures, but will be able to feature for the club in upcoming Europa League matches with Roma and Rangers.

An FA spokesperson said: “An independent regulatory commission has imposed a seven-match suspension and £100,000 fine on Rodrigo Bentancur for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.

“It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA Rule E3.1 as he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute.

“It was further alleged that this constitutes an “aggravated breach”, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference – whether express or implied – to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.

“Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent Regulatory Commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing.”

A game that might be best remembered for the famous ‘Oh f*** off even Flanagan has scored’ Tweet is one that also triggered tears in the Tottenham dressing room, as Kyle Walker has revealed.

Allow us to take you back to December 15, 2013. Liverpool made the trip to White Hart Lane and put five unanswered goals beyond a hapless Tottenham side.

Luis Suarez scored twice and even Jon Flanagan got himself on the scoresheet in what was Spurs’ worst home defeat in 16 years – they did not even have a shot on target!

Just a day later, manager Andre Villas-Boas was sacked after barely 18 months in charge, and Walker has revealed there was a lot of crying in Tottenham‘s dressing room at the news.

Speaking on his BBC podcast, ‘You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker‘, the ex-Spurs defender conceded the team did not do the Portuguese manager justice.

“I can remember when he left, and I will never forget it,” he said. “I swear to you, I will never, ever forget it. We were sat in the auditorium and we got wind that he was going.

“[Daniel] Levy sacked him, but he was still in the building and we were still ready to train. He came downstairs and started crying in front of us.

“He started crying in front of us, and I remember his assistant was telling him to pull it together. He started crying, I’ve got tears running down my eyes. A lot of the lads had tears.

“Michael Dawson is welling, he can’t stop crying. He’s emotionally crying because that is how much he meant to the lads.

“We probably didn’t do him justice on the pitch because that’s why he got the sack, but for 10-12 men to be crying because the manager has gone, he has done something well in the dressing room.

“Football aside, he’s emotionally connected with us as well. As a team, we probably let him down a bit.”

It was quite the chastening defeat for Tottenham, and just eight years later Villas-Boas would retire from management altogether to assume the role of Porto president, a title he attained this year.

Spurs have had six different permanent managers since Levy sacked Villas-Boas in 2015, plus a handful of caretakers.

The 5-0 drubbing really is a gift that keeps on giving.

Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool are favourites the fill the top three positions in the Premier League this season, but the battle for fourth place could be fascinating.

The 2024/25 campaign is now almost upon us, as Arne Slot looks to hit the ground running as the Reds’ new head coach.

Champions League qualification has to be the primary aim, but they should still fancy themselves to be third at worst, ahead of the likes of Man United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Aston Villa.

The question is: how are the quartet being tipped to fare by their own supporters?

Here’s what they had to say…

Man United

Last season: 8th

TIA predicted finish: 5th

Best XI: Onana; Dalot, Yoro, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes; Amad, Rashford, Hojlund

The view from Man United

Kadeem Simmonds (@KadeemSimmonds)

Where Man United will finish: 6th

Where Liverpool will finish: 3rd

Who will win the league? Man City

One player you wish Man United would sign, realistically: Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup.

Advice for visiting fans: Behave and enjoy the match, let’s make it an enjoyable experience for all.

What’s the mood like this summer and your optimism for the season ahead? The mood has been mixed with Erik ten Hag staying and some of the players signed.

Regardless of additions, a trophy and a top-six finish with a positive goal difference and improvement on the pitch is all I need (my expectations are extremely low).

Chelsea

Last season: 6th

TIA predicted finish: 6th

Best XI: Petrovic; James, Colwill, Disasi, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia, Enzo; Palmer, Nkunku, Jackson

The view from Chelsea

Richard Long (@Chelseafan_Rick)

Where Chelsea will finish: 4th (just)

Where Liverpool will finish: 3rd

Who will win the league? Man City

One player you wish Chelsea would sign, realistically: Victor Osimhen. We are desperate for a killer in front of goal and a big physical presence up top.

Advice for visiting fans: Turn up early and take the slightly longer walk from Earl’s Court (rather than Fulham Broadway) to soak up all of the atmosphere as you head towards the stadium.

What’s the mood like this summer and your optimism for the season ahead? The mood and optimism is as low going into a season as I can remember.

A bad start and I can see things turning toxic very quickly. The ownership is now skating on the thinnest of ice, especially with the imminent sale of Conor Gallagher.

Tottenham

Last season: 5th

TIA predicted finish: 4th

Best XI: Vicario; Porro, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentacur, Bissouma, Maddison; Kulusevski, Son, Solanke.

The view from Tottenham

Sam Hawkey (@samhawkey)

Where Tottenham will finish: 4th

Where Liverpool will finish: 3rd

Who will win the league? Man City

One player you wish Tottenham would sign, realistically: Anthony Gordon

Advice for visiting fans: The stadium is world-class. The surroundings are not!

What’s the mood like this summer and your optimism for the season ahead? Solid.

We did fine last season and I think we are excited to see what Ange Postecoglou can do with a full pre-season and a fully fit squad.

Aston Villa

Last season: 4th

TIA predicted finish: 8th

Best XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Onana, McGinn, Bailey, Rogers; Watkins

That team is subject to change most weeks, however, as Tielemans, Barkley, Philogene and Iling-Junior will get opportunities.

The view from Aston Villa

Crippy Cooke (@CrippyCooke)

Where Aston Villa will finish: My head says seventh or eighth, and I’m disgusted at myself for the pessimism.

I don’t think a ‘best of the rest’ finish is terrible for us as we navigate multiple competitions.

Where Liverpool will finish: Arne Slot has inherited a fantastic squad from Jurgen Klopp and is a brilliant coach himself, so I think Liverpool can still challenge.

I think they’re still a top-three side at the very least.

Who will win the league? I would like to see somebody take the crown off Man City, but can’t see past them.

One player you wish Aston Villa would sign, realistically: I would love Romelu Lukaku at Villa.

Advice for visiting fans: Put some respect on our name. We have a beautiful stadium, fantastic youth setup, a brilliant coach and a talented squad.

Most teams will come to Villa Park and lose this season, so don’t write us off. We’ve come a long way from the Paul Lambert era.

What’s the mood like this summer and your optimism for the season ahead? Very positive because we have Champions League football back.

Fans believe we can be a big-six club regularly now because we have the manager and spending power.