The Independent

Follow live coverage as Tottenham Hotspur face Wolverhampton Wanderers today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.

The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.

Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:

Follow live coverage as Tottenham face Wolves today in the Premier League.

It’s been another inconsistent season for Spurs, who have followed up a three-game unbeaten run in all competitions with back-to-back Premier League defeats, losing 6-3 at home to Liverpool before being beaten 1-0 at Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day. They remain in the bottom half of the division, though a victory here could take them 10th depending on other results.

Wolves have enjoyed a ‘new manager bounce’ since Gary O’Neil’s sacking and Vitor Pereira’s arrival, taking maximum points from their new boss’ opening two games with a thumping 3-0 victory at Leicester City before a 2-0 triumph over Manchester United last time out. Those wins lifted them out of the relegation zone, though they remain just a point above the bottom three.

Follow live updates in the match blog, below

Follow live coverage as Nottingham Forest face Tottenham Hotspur today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.

The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.

Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:

Tottenham star Dejan Kulusevski has called on Spurs to “learn” and take more control in games after the 6-3 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.

Spurs were thrashed by the Premier League leaders on Sunday and Kulusevski accepted they could have handled the bigger moments better amid a defensive injury crisis.

Ange Postecoglou’s side were without first-choice defenders Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie, as well as goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, and made no changes from Thursday’s 4-3 win over Manchester United.

Postecoglou has come in for criticism for not adapting his attacking strategy during a busy run of games – with the Australian doubling down on his principles – and Kulusevksi said Tottenham need to be better.

The Sweden international, who did not give up the fight against Liverpool and has scored in five successive games for Spurs, said: “You have to improve, you have to find ways.

“Maybe today we should maybe let them have the ball more, but you know, that’s not how we play. So we went out, we gave everything. It didn’t work, maybe we [will] learn for the next time.

“You have to think about how are we physically? Who’s playing? How many games have we played in the last week? Who are we playing? Have they rested for one week or something?

“You have to put everything in because it is like life. It’s not just black and white. It’s a lot of factors going into it.

“We have to learn because we conceded six goals. I can’t sit here and say that we’re doing something perfectly, we’re not. We have to change a little bit for the better, always try to change for the better.”

Postecoglou accepted that Liverpool’s energy levels were higher after Spurs reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Thursday and had one less day to prepare for the match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

But he also clashed with reporters and said he was growing impatient at being asked the “same questions” as he insisted that injury issues are to blame for his side’s defensive frailties.

“I have massive admiration for the efforts these players are putting in for this club at the moment,” Postecoglou said. “We know what a difficult situation it is and that’s not going to change in the short term. We’ve just got to push on.”

James Maddison rallied around Tottenham’s depleted squad and insisted they will stick together.

“To concede six goals at home obviously hurts,” Maddison told SpursPlay. “To manage to score another three against arguably the best team in the world at the minute, there is positives there but hard to look at, at the minute.

“I am proud of the lads who kept going. It can be very easy to sit back and not let any more chances or keep a scoreline to a minimal, especially when they get the fifth.

“To be fair to the lads, they kept going, we scored another couple and we’ll keep going and dig in.

“We had a great night, a brilliant night here on Thursday and a really difficult one (against Liverpool). The good and the bad, you’ve got to stick together.”

Are you not entertained? After the seven-goal thriller came the excitement of nine goals. Tottenham found a way to go two better, but also significantly worse. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has witnessed 16 goals in four days, Spurs have veered from winning 4-3 to losing 6-3. Angeball can veer from the brilliant to the ridiculous, but rarely quite to this extent. And in reply to Ange Postecoglou’s question on Thursday: it was hugely entertaining, but this time too much of the entertainment came at Tottenham’s expense.

Even as Liverpool’s previously impressive defensive record took another dent – it is now eight goals conceded in three league games – they suggested they had a better balance. They have excelled at winning under Arne Slot but have rarely run riot. This time they did both, scoring six in a game for the first time under the Dutchman. “It was very good, maybe it was our best performance away from home,” said Slot, bracketing it with the 3-0 win at Manchester United.

It was certainly their most explosive attacking display, spearheaded – with a certain inevitability – by Mohamed Salah. He ended his afternoon with two goals, two assists and a sense he was too good for Djed Spence, the makeshift left-back luckless enough to be his immediate opponent. Luis Diaz, the stand-in centre-forward who has proved hugely effective there, added a double to his hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen.

“Mo and Lucho stood out with two goals but we would not do justice to Dom’s performance if we did not name him as well,” added Slot. And Dominik Szoboszlai was terrific: if there are questions over whether he is productive enough, the Hungary captain ended with a goal and two assists to reward his relentless running. Salah has long excelled at the numbers game and became the first player to both score and create 10 Premier League goals in a season before Christmas. He has gone past Billy Liddell to become the fourth-highest scorer in Liverpool’s history, 229 and counting. “Wherever I am going to end my career, I am happy about it,” he said, in the latest hint about his future.

Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose contract expires on the same day as Salah’s, was outstanding, his magnificent cross for the opener underlining that few can strike a ball with such an intoxicating blend of whip and precision. Liverpool had the irresistible combination of individuals playing wonderfully and a team implementing a strategy.

Because it was all underpinned by Slot’s blueprint. He spent Friday morning praising Postecoglou and Sunday afternoon exploiting Spurs’ shortcomings. If they were killed with kindness, Tottenham were unlocked by Liverpool’s intelligence and incision. Spurs, unfortunate to be missing their first-choice centre-backs, with their preferred left-back only fit enough to be on the bench and minus their best goalkeeper, appeared a shambles at the back if – characteristically – capable of scoring three goals in attack.

So the north Londoners are in the bottom half at Christmas, Liverpool top of the tree. “Of course it means something,” said Slot. More importantly, his side gave plenty of indications they will still be there in May. Even amid the chaos that is a feature of Tottenham’s games, much of it felt planned. Spurs’ capacity to concede from corners under Postecoglou has been an issue. They floundered here under a different form of aerial attack, two headers from crosses in open play. They also struggled to track runners from midfield, a factor in the second and third goals. Their high line was exploited for the fifth. It felt as though Slot had noted their weaknesses and then set about capitalising on them.

“A painful day,” said Postecoglou. “It was a bridge too far for us.” The damage could have been worse. “We could have scored more,” Slot noted. Salah, who had five shots in the first 18 minutes alone, rifled one against the bar. Szoboszlai rounded Fraser Forster but only found the side-netting. Alexander-Arnold drew a wonderful save from the goalkeeper with a vicious effort from long range. Diaz lobbed the goalkeeper, stranded in no man’s land, but found the roof of the net.

And, not for the first time, Spurs were their own worst enemies. The tone was set when Forster passed straight to Salah in the second minute. He was reprieved when the Egyptian shot into the side-netting. Parity did not last long.

Diaz had a goal controversially disallowed away at Tottenham last season. He bookended the scoring here with a brace, ending his seven-game goal drought and rewarding Slot’s decision to use a winger as a striker. He delivered a typical No 9’s goal with a diving header from Alexander-Arnold’s wonderful cross, eluding Radu Dragusin and Pedro Porro. His second was a more familiar Diaz goal, driven in from Salah’s pass.

Liverpool’s second was notable because two of their central midfielders emerged unchecked within a few yards of Tottenham’s goal. It paid off. When Andy Robertson crossed, Szoboszlai won the first header and Alexis Mac Allister, who had gone unnoticed on a burst from deep, headed in. It was a run that was testament to the Argentinian’s footballing intelligence. But the rampant Szoboszlai was similarly unmarked when he ran onto Salah’s pass to score the third.

Slot’s unusually emphatic celebration may have signified that he felt the game was over. Far from it. Despite two blocks by Archie Gray, Salah was able to add the fourth after Cody Gakpo’s low cross. Then he had a tap-in, supplied by Szoboszlai.

“Until 60-65 minutes, I really, really, really enjoyed what I saw,” said Slot, even though Spurs had reduced the deficit before half time when James Maddison curled in a shot from 20 yards. “At 5-1, we thought it was enough but Tottenham have far too much quality. We know Tottenham, they always keep on going.” The indefatigable Dejan Kulusevski volleyed in his fifth goal in as many games from Son Heung-min’s pass. The former Liverpool forward Dominic Solanke conjured a close-range finish from Brennan Johnson’s header.

Diaz ensured there was no astonishing comeback, no 5-5 draw. He scored Liverpool’s sixth goal on a day when he and Salah had seven shots apiece and Szoboszlai six. There was entertainment aplenty. It was Angeball in its flawed glory. Though, admittedly, very flawed.

Are you not entertained? After the seven-goal thriller came the excitement of nine goals. Tottenham found a way to go two better, but also significantly worse. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has witnessed 16 goals in four days, Spurs have veered from winning 4-3 to losing 6-3. Angeball can veer from the brilliant to the ridiculous, but rarely quite to this extent. And in reply to Ange Postecoglou’s question on Thursday: it was hugely entertaining, but this time too much of the entertainment came at Tottenham’s expense.

Even as Liverpool’s previously impressive defensive record took another dent – it is now eight goals conceded in three league games – they suggested they had a better balance. They have excelled at winning under Arne Slot but have rarely run riot. This time they did both, scoring six in a game for the first time under the Dutchman. It was their most explosive attacking performance, spearheaded – with a certain inevitability – by Mohamed Salah. He ended his afternoon with two goals, two assists and a sense he was too good for Djed Spence, the makeshift left-back who was his immediate opponent.

Liverpool had the irresistible combination of individuals playing wonderfully and a team implementing a strategy. Trent Alexander-Arnold was outstanding, his magnificent cross for the opener underlining that few can strike a ball with such an intoxicating blend of whip and precision. Dominik Szoboszlai was terrific: if there are questions if he is productive enough, the Hungary captain ended with a goal and two assists to reward his relentless running. Salah has long excelled at the numbers game and has now been directly involved in 26 Premier League goals this season.

It was all underpinned by Slot’s blueprint. He spent Friday morning praising Postecoglou and Sunday afternoon exploiting Spurs’ shortcomings. If they were killed with kindness, Tottenham were unlocked by Liverpool’s intelligence and incision. Spurs, unfortunate to be missing their first-choice centre-backs, with their preferred left-back only fit enough to be on the bench and minus their best goalkeeper, appeared a shambles at the back if – characteristically – capable of scoring three goals in attack.

So Spurs are in the bottom half at Christmas, Liverpool top of the tree. More importantly, they gave plenty of indications they will still be there in May. Even amid the chaos that is a feature of Tottenham’s games, much of it felt planned. Spurs’ capacity to concede from corners under Postecoglou has been an issue. They floundered here under a different form of aerial attack, two headers from crosses in open play. They also struggled to track runners from midfield, a factor in the second and third goals. Their high line was exploited for the fifth. It felt as though Slot had noted their weaknesses and then set about capitalising on them.

Tottenham may reflect the damage could have been worse. Salah, who had five shots in the first 18 minutes alone, rifled one against the bar. Szoboszlai rounded Fraser Forster but only finding the side-netting. Alexander-Arnold drew a wonderful save from the goalkeeper with a vicious effort from long range. Diaz lobbed the goalkeeper, stranded in no-man’s land, but found the roof of the net.

And, not for the first time, Spurs felt their own worst enemies. The tone was set when Forster passed straight to Salah in the second minute. He was reprieved when the Egyptian shot into the side-netting. Parity did not last long.

Diaz had a goal controversially disallowed away at Tottenham last season. He bookended the scoring here with a brace, ending his seven-game goal drought, rewarding Slot’s decision to use a winger as a striker. He delivered a typical No 9’s goal with a diving header from Alexander-Arnold’s wonderful cross, eluding Radu Dragusin and Pedro Porro. His second was a more familiar Diaz goal, driven in from Salah’s pass.

Liverpool’s second was notable because two of their central midfielders emerged unchecked within a few yards of Tottenham’s goal. It paid off. When Andy Robertson crossed, Szoboszlai won the first header and Alexis Mac Allister, who had gone unchecked on a burst from deep, headed in. It was a run that was testament to the Argentinian’s footballing intelligence. But the rampant Szoboszlai was similarly unmarked when he ran on to Salah’s pass to score the third.

Slot’s unusually emphatic celebration may have signified that he felt the game was over. Far from it. Despite two blocks by Archie Gray, Salah was able to add the fourth after Cody Gakpo’s low cross. Then he had a tap-in, supplied by Szoboszlai.

But Spurs had reduced the deficit before half-time when James Maddison curled in a shot from 20 yards. Then they mustered a late double. The indefatigable Dejan Kulusevski volleyed in from Son Heung-min’s pass. The former Liverpool forward Dominic Solanke conjured a close-range finish from Brennan Johnson’s header.

Diaz ensured there was no astonishing comeback, no 5-5 draw. He scored Liverpool’s sixth goal on a day when he and Salah had seven shots apiece and Szoboszlai six. There was entertainment aplenty. It was Angeball in its flawed glory. Though, admittedly, very flawed.

Follow live coverage as Tottenham Hotspur face Liverpool today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.

The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.

Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:

Tottenham host Liverpool in the final Premier League fixtures before Christmas. The two sides clash in Sunday’s late kick off at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium with both in search of three points.

Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs have come under pressure in recent weeks with the manager being accused of stubbornly sticking to the same gameplan when things are going wrong. Defeats to Bournemouth and Chelsea sent Tottenham into the bottom half of the table before a confidence-building 5-0 victory over Southampton, and a 4-3 Carabao Cup win against Man Utd, gave the team some momentum.

Liverpool meanwhile continue to impress under Arne Slot though there have been a couple of stumbles. Back-to-back draws against Newcastle and Fulham have allowed their rivals to close the gap in the league table and Slot will want his team to get back to winning ways with a strong performance in London today.

Liveupdated

Newcastle United will face Arsenal while Liverpool take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Newcastle have high hopes of ending their 69-year wait for a major domestic trophy and the Magpies will face Mikel Arteta’s side for a place at Wembley, while Tottenham’s reward for a chaotic 4-3 win over Manchester United will be a tie against holders Liverpool - who they face in the Premier League on Sunday.

Newcastle defeated Brentford 3-1 on Wednesday night while Gabriel Jesus scored a hat-trick to help Arsenal to a 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace. Premier League leaders Liverpool continued their Carabao Cup defence by beating Southampton 2-1.

The semi-final ties take place over two legs –with the first leg in early January and the second leg in early February. The first silverware of the season is contested as the final takes place at Wembley on Sunday 16 March.

Follow the Carabao Cup draw with our live blog below:

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Carabao Cup semi-final draw

So, here’s the full draw (all two games of it...), with the teams listed first having the home leg first. Remember, the semi-finals will be played over two legs across the week commencing 6 January and the week commencing 3 February. The winners will battle it out at Wembley Stadium in the final on 16 March.

Arsenal v Newcastle

Tottenham v Liverpool

Luke Baker19 December 2024 22:44

‘It’s one to look forward to’: Postecoglou on semi-final

Ange Postecoglou was delighted with his players after winning a highly entertaining Carabao Cup quater-final against Manchester United.

“I can’t speak highly enough of this group of players,” he said. “Again tonight we had 10 players from our list unavailable for one reason or another. We had a day’s rest less than Man United.

“We are not just getting through games, we are still maintaining our level of football. As I keep saying, we will get to some smoother waters at some point but this period is going to see us have enormous growth.

“We played so well, well in control of the game. It’s the way our season has gone a little bit, we self-inflicted some pain on ourselves and then we had to scramble to get a foothold again.

“It should have been a lot more comfortable than it ended up being but having said that, I still can’t get away from the fact this group of players is doing an unbelievable job at the moment to get us through this.

“We’re in a semi-final of a cup competition, so I think that’s something to reflect this progress for us and we’ve got an opportunity now, home and away to get to a final and we’ve earned that opportunity.

“It’s one to look forward to, but we’ve got important games starting this week, starting Sunday (against Liverpool), that we’ve still got to get through and the mentality the boys are showing at the moment, we’re going to tackle these games in the same way we’ve tackled the ones in recent times.”

Jamie Braidwood20 December 2024 13:30

‘Self-inflicted’ drama reveals a Tottenham truth amid Manchester United ‘chaos’

As Son Heung-min wheeled away and the Tottenham fans on the South Stand bounced their way into the Carabao Cup semi-finals, it was fitting of this bonkers, breathless tie against Manchester United that the winning goal would come straight from a corner kick.

A huge night for Ange Postecoglou, as Spurs moved a step closer to lifting their first trophy since 2008, came with relief as Son’s corner made sure they rescued themselves from embarrassment. “Are you not entertained?” Postecoglou grinned. Aware that there would be criticism of his side’s near-collapse, he was proud of what he saw, too.

‘Self-inflicted’ drama reveals a Tottenham truth amid Manchester United ‘chaos’

Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 Manchester United: Spurs recovered from Fraser Forster’s mistakes in a breathless tie as Ange Postecoglou’s side reached the semi-finals

Jamie Braidwood20 December 2024 12:30

Carabao Cup semi-finals

Years since winning a major trophy

Liverpool: 0 - 2024 Carabao Cup

Arsenal: 4 - 2020 FA Cup

Tottenham: 16 - 2008 League Cup

Newcastle: 69 - 1955 FA Cup

Jamie Braidwood20 December 2024 11:30

Eddie Howe hoping for another Carabao Cup run

This is the second time Newcastle have earned a spot in the final four of the Carabao Cup under Howe after they reached the 2022-23 final, but lost to Manchester United.

The two-legged semi-final ties are set to be played in January and February next year and the Newcastle boss believes the cup can be something for the team to “look forward to” in the midst of their league campaign.

Howe said: “I think it’s a really good thing for us currently, because it’s on the horizon.

“It keeps a positive feel as something to look forward to, while knowing we need to do work in the Premier League to get our position where we want it to be.

“I think when you look at us play at our best, there’s no reason why we can’t improve our position and be really competitive in the semi-final.”

Jamie Braidwood20 December 2024 10:30

‘Are you not entertained?’ Postecoglou praises Tottenham’s spirit

“I like the whole game. Are you not entertained? I know the studio is probably having a meltdown over my lack of tactics,” Ange Postecoglou told Sky Sports after the 4-3 win over Manchester United.

“We’ve got so many absences at the moment, centre halves, kids on the bench. If we get through the period we’re going to get enormous growth out of it.

“I really liked how we played tonight, obviously those moments tainted it a bit and that has happened this season before and it doesn’t help our consistency, but the mentality of the boys... I love it.”

Meanwhile, Dominic Solanke said it was important for Tottenham to stick together and come back against Manchester United after Fraser Forster’s mistakes.

“Being 3-0 up we could have dealt with the game better, killed some time but we made it hard for ourselves, but the important thing is we won and we’re through,” the two-goal striker said to Sky.

“That’s football sometimes, we stick together. Mistakes are a part of football, we dug in, we showed spirit and got the job done.

“Scoring against a team like United is great but the most important thing is to win today and getting to the semi-final.”

Jamie Braidwood20 December 2024 09:31

Arsenal delighted as Gabriel Jesus ‘back at his best'

Mikel Arteta said Gabriel Jesus is “back at his best” after the Brazilian’s brilliant second-half hat-trick fired Arsenal into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Jesus headed into the last-eight fixture with only two goals this year, prompting Arteta to insist he would not be sold when the transfer window opens next month.

And Jesus repaid his manager’s faith with three goals that could breathe new life into not only his stuttering career, but Arsenal’s campaign too.

“I’m so pleased for him,” said Arteta. “It’s been a long period without goals and today, to score three goals, the three types of goals that he scored - and the many actions he was involved in - he looked very sharp.

“It’s a great thing for him and the team that we can rely on a player of such quality. Gabi at that level is a big asset for us. It is a big message for the team that we have Gabi back at his best. It’s now about consistency.

“This moment of spark will bring so much confidence to him. Now we need to take it and give him more games and chances. When a player is in that moment, it’s important for them to continue.”

Jamie Braidwood20 December 2024 08:31

Ruben Amorim defends Manchester United ‘control’ amid ‘chaos'

In his press conference, Ruben Amorim admitted that Manchester United “disconnected for eight minutes” in the second half but said that his team were better than Tottenham for most of the game.

“I didn’t feel like it was [chaotic],” he said after the 4-3 defeat. “The 8 minutes of the second half was like that because we were losing a lot of balls in transitions. But I thinl we were controlling things during almost all the game, playing the same way, trying to find the spaces. I can feel it.

“For the fans it was like that [chaotic] because there’s a lot of goals and one team is recovering from 3-0, but I saw a team that knows what what we what we want to do and so it was not chaotic in my opinion. I could not see the chaos in my team.”

Jamie Braidwood20 December 2024 07:31

Arne Slot rotates as Liverpool reach semi-finals

Arne Slot was happy with Liverpool’s progress to the semi-finals and the Dutchman said squad rotation, which included a full debut for 17-year-old midfielder Trey Nyoni, was key during a busy period of the season.

“It would be normal if I play all the regular starters that we have a better team than we had tonight, otherwise I make every week the wrong decision,” said Slot.

“But we also trust these players because we know how much quality they have, so that’s the first reason to play these players, that we have a lot of confidence in them.

“Second of all, it’s not about a result on Sunday (away to Tottenham), it’s more for the long-term fitness of the players that we make the decision that the ones that played so many minutes to give them a bit of rest during this week because the schedule is going to be intense again in the upcoming weeks.”

Jamie Braidwood20 December 2024 06:31

Newcastle inch closer to ending seven-decade trophy drought

Sandro Tonali’s double helped Newcastle secure their spot in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 win over Brentford.

Tonali put the Magpies ahead with a brilliant first-time strike and the Italy midfielder bagged his brace just before half-time from Anthony Gordon’s corner.

Fabian Schar extended the lead after the break with a tidy tap-in before Yoane Wissa earned a consolation for the Bees in added time.

Victory sends Newcastle one step closer to ending their 69-year wait for a major domestic trophy.

Newcastle inch closer to ending seven-decade trophy drought as Tonali downs Brentford

Newcastle 3-1 Brentford: The Magpies marched into the Carabao Cup semi-finals as Italy international Tonali stepped up

Jamie Braidwood20 December 2024 05:31

The manager who Daniel Levy wanted gave his verdict on Tottenham Hotspur’s modern-day team. “They are always a joy to watch,” he said. He had been an interested onlooker for years, watching on from abroad, seduced by the glamour of their flair players. “I watch a lot of Match Of The Day and [with] David Ginola, Paul Gascoigne, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart. They have always been a certain brand and a certain identity,” he added.

It could have been his brand, too. Because the man eulogising about Spurs had turned down the chance to coach them. He did not say so explicitly, because that is not Arne Slot’s way. He prefers not to talk about the expiring deals of his players, in Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. Nor does he want to discuss Tottenham’s attempts to appoint him in 2023. “I think it’s the same answer that I always give you about Mo’s contract situation and those things,” he smiled.

Slot is more comfortable celebrating the man they appointed a couple of weeks after he decided to stay at Feyenoord and signed a new contract. An exhaustive search that seemed to take in Julian Nagelsmann, Mauricio Pochettino, Vincent Kompany, Roberto De Zerbi and Luis Enrique ended with Ange Postecoglou becoming Tottenham manager.

It would be out of character for Slot to suggest that he ranked higher than the Australian on Spurs’ shortlist. He prefers to praise Postecoglou and otherwise keep his counsel. “I always said that in football and in general so many things that are said are not true,” he explained. “But the problem is that the ones who know do not want to talk about it, and the ones who don’t know do want to talk about it. That sometimes happens in football. There are players or managers who do want to talk to you and tell you off the record what has happened, but that is always one part of the truth.”

Part of Slot’s truth is simple. “I was really happy that I stayed at Feyenoord,” he added. “That I can say.” That decision was justified: rather than dashing for the exit in the wake of taking Feyenoord to the Eredivisie in 2022-23, Slot remained in Rotterdam, his pulling power such that he earned the more prestigious post at Liverpool a year later.

It may prompt some in north London to wonder how he would have fared there: he has taken Liverpool to the top of the table with a winning habit Postecoglou only showed in his first 10 games.

And as Slot faces Spurs for the first time in his career, Liverpool and Tottenham are perhaps the most consistent and inconsistent teams in the league. They entered the weekend first and 10th. They are two of the most prolific sides, but whereas Angeball seems to forever teeter on the brink of disaster, Slot has a solitary defeat. He seems to build on more solid foundations, but each has lofty ideals. When Postecoglou’s football works, it can be wonderful. It is why Slot is an admirer.

“They are one of the teams who beat [Manchester] City, like us, but not every team beat them in the manner we did and Tottenham did, completely deserved, dominating the whole game,” Slot outlined. It is a reason why he sees the Australian as a manager in Spurs’ truest traditions. “Ange is doing great work there.”

The Dutchman’s interest in the club was piqued long before there was a possibility he could manage them. “It wasn’t like, ‘let’s see how David Ginola, Paul Gascoigne, Modric, how they played’ if it was even an option for me [going there],” he added. “It was just me being a fan of football, I’ve always fancied these players, these teams, like I’ve seen so many things of Liverpool even long before Richard [Hughes, the director of football] called me.”

Now Postecoglou shapes up as a dangerous opponent, with his four wins over the Manchester clubs this season, with the sense his erratic side can be better on the bigger occasions. After Thursday’s 4-3 Carabao Cup win over Manchester United, he channelled his compatriot Russell Crowe and asked: “Are you not entertained?”

Slot is. If some wonder if Postecoglou’s style of play is too self-destructive for his stay at Spurs to be extended much longer, Sunday’s opponent is an unabashed admirer.

“People always talk about trophies but for me his brand of football is so much more important. If he could combine that with winning a trophy then it would be so good for football in general,” he said. “So people stop talking about it being too attacking or whatever. How on earth can you play too [much] attacking football?”

The only problem for Slot is that the immediate impediment for Spurs is his Liverpool: they meet in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. “I also hope, hope, hope he wins a trophy,” he said. “Not the League Cup. But I am completely a fan of his team for the Europa League.” It could have been Slot in the Spurs dugout. But instead, he will be cheering them on from afar.

Tottenham vs Liverpool kicks off at 4.30pm on Sunday, 22 December. Coverage on Sky Sports from 4pm