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Liverpool are four points clear at the top after a 6-3 win away to Tottenham

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Liverpool beat Tottenham 6-3 in an enthralling contest to go four points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League.

The visitors established a two-goal lead as Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister got on the scoresheet.

James Maddison got a goal back for Tottenham but Dominik Szoboszlai's effort meant that Liverpool went into the break with a 3-1 lead.

Mohamed Salah scored twice for Liverpool before Dejan Kulusevski and Dominik Solanke got on the scoresheet for Tottenham.

There was still time for Diaz to double his tally and score Liverpool's sixth goal, with Tottenham remaining in eleventh place.

Mail Sport's Aadam Patel assesses how each player performed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1):

Fraser Forster (3)

A bag of nerves all game, kicking the ball straight to Salah early on and should have come off his line for Liverpool’s second goal. Conceded six and could have been more.

Pedro Porro (4)

Usually all-action but he struggled against both Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz. Him and Radu Dragusin were the two weak links in Spurs’ defence.

Radu Dragusin (4)

Poor defending for Luis Diaz’s opener and had a dreadful first-half. Tottenham badly missed Cristian Romero.

Archie Gray (5)

The 18-year-old started at centre-half and in fairness, showed a maturity beyond his years. A remarkable talent that was one of a few positives for Spurs.

Djed Spence (5)

Up against Salah and he battled well for most of the game with the Egyptian but Salah was simply too good in a couple of key moments.

Pape Matar Sarr (4.5)

Struggled all game against a Liverpool midfield that was too strong for Spurs and was put out of his misery just before the hour mark.

Yves Bissouma (5)

Like Sarr, was ineffective as Arne Slot’s side ran riot. Only kept on for the entire game because of a lack of options on the bench

Dejan Kulusevski (6)

Initially caused Robertson some problems but simply failed to get on the ball enough. Took his goal on the volley beautifully but it was nothing more than a consolation.

James Maddison (5.5)

Was non-existent for much of the first half but credit where it’s due as he took the goal really well. Taken off in the 57th minute for Brennan Johnson and rightly so.

Heung-Min Son (4)

Did nothing of note. A forgettable afternoon for the Spurs skipper, who was replaced for Timo Werner late on.

Dominic Solanke (6)

Was quiet for most of the game but got a nice assist for Kulusevski’s goal and took his goal well.

Subs

Brennan Johnson (6)

Lucas Bergvall (6)

Timo Werner

Manager

Ange Postecoglou (4)

Can’t fault his side for their effort but they were far too open defensively and completely outclassed by a superior Liverpool side. Entertainment provided, as promised.

LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1)

Alisson Becker (6)

A sea of calm compared to Forster. Excellent distribution though was flat-footed for Spurs’ goal and will be annoyed that he conceded three.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (8)

Ran the game in the first-half and got a brilliant assist for Diaz’s opener. Has this ability to play passes that no one else sees. Unlucky not to get on the scoresheet too.

Joe Gomez (6.5)

Was barely tested most of the afternoon at centre-half and won the majority of his battles though part of a Liverpool defence that lost concentration late on but saw the game out.

Virgil Van Dijk (6.5)

Jamie Carragher called him a ‘cheat code’ pre-match. Exceptional for most of the game but will not be happy with the way his side gave Spurs a sniff in the second-half.

Andy Robertson (7)

Back from his ban and was solid, until the latter stages where he was beaten too easily. Played a part in the second goal. A performance that will do wonders for his confidence.

Ryan Gravenberch (7.5)

Such a force. Dictated the tempo of the game and so good to watch when he drives with the ball. Arguably the best central midfielder in the league this season.

Alexis Mac Allister (6.5)

Did really well for his goal, getting in a threatening position and heading home but was at fault for giving Spurs a lifeline, when he lost the ball for Maddison’s goal.

Mohamed Salah (9)

Missed a couple chances but scored twice in the second-half to become the Premier League top-scorer. Got two assists too and he’s top of the rankings for that too. Just a normal day at the office for the best player in the league.

Dominik Szoboszlai (8.5)

All-action. His best performance in a Liverpool shirt, playing a part in the second goal and finishing wonderfully for the third. Got an assist and should have scored again.

Cody Gakpo (7)

Caused problems all game and though he didn’t get on the scoresheet, was effective throughout. Has to be more ruthless in front of goal. Taken off for Jota in the 68th minute.

Luis Diaz (8.5)

Had a point to prove after last season and his energy was too much for Spurs. Scored his 10th goal of the season with a superb header and finished the game with a quality finish.

Subs

Diogo Jota (6)

Curtis Jones (6)

Harvey Elliott

Darwin Nunez

Manager

Arne Slot (8)

Will enjoy his Christmas with Liverpool top of the league. His side were dominant and a joy to watch though conceding three goals won’t please him one bit.

Tottenham entertained Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon

The Reds put in a stunning attacking display as they won a chaotic game 6-3

LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Are Tottenham managers treated differently to other managers?

Liverpool are the team to beat while Tottenham are – for the time being at least – the team that anybody could hope to beat.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool head into Christmas top of the Premier League and rightly so. They were magnificent here. Hungry, clinical and overflowing with festive fervour. What a sight they were with the ball.

Tottenham, meanwhile, are down on numbers and belief. They were waiting to be taken apart by a good team here and that’s exactly what happened. Don’t be fooled by the scoreline. Tottenham were 5-1 down with half an hour left and at that stage the smart money would have been on seven or eight for the visiting team.

It must have been a desperate day for someone like 18-year-old Archie Gray. A teenage midfielder who can play at full-back but is currently being asked to play centre half behind a midfield that leaks like an old leather show when the opposition have possession.

This stadium has now witnessed 23 goals in its last three games and this was an afternoon that finished in a rather strange way, as two Tottenham goals out of nothing brought them back to 5-3. Some of the fans who had left after Liverpool’s fifth must have been clamouring to get back in as a strange kind of hope filled the air.

But reality tends to bite when teams like Liverpool are around and it did so here. It’s credit to Tottenham that they kept going. Fair play to those supporters who stayed when the pubs of the Seven Sisters Road must have felt like a reasonable alternative.

They will know what it is they witnessed on the whole, though. They will know what this was. It was a hiding. A thrashing. Men against boys and confused and disorientated boys at that.

Liverpool will push on towards the New Year knowing how good they are, driven on by the knowledge that Manchester City are gone from the race.

Tottenham must hope to get some bodies back and quickly. Their run of league games goes Nottingham Forest, Wolves, Newcastle, Arsenal. Not easy. It rarely is. And they are already in the bottom half of the table.

Before the game, the team selections seemed portentous. Slot was able to make changes to his team after their midweek win at Southampton. Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, meanwhile, didn’t feel he could make a single one from the side that came through against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup on Thursday. In truth, it showed almost from the first moment.

Fraser Forster, no doubt traumatised after two horror moments against United, passed the ball straight to Salah in the third minute and somehow got away with it. He then saved from the same player soon after and also from Diaz.

Then Salah beat three players and thrashed a shot against the bar. The red threat was coming from everywhere and Spurs – far too easy to play through – didn’t have a hope apart from to hope.

The damn broke in the 23rd minute. Trent Alexander-Arnold crossed from the right and Diaz timed his run perfectly off the back of Radu Dragusin to stoop and head low into the corner.

It was a super goal and soon after, when Diaz had a low effort saved by Forster, Liverpool were averaging a shot every two-and-half minutes. Not bad for an away team.

The next one they registered – a header – went in. This time the cross was from Andy Robertson. Dominik Szoboszlai challenged two Spurs defenders when we may have expected Forster to come out, and when the ball looped up Alexis MacAllister he headed it in from close range.

On the side line Postecoglou looked a little haunted. His team didn’t look like responding. They looked tired and edgy. But then they scored.

MacAllister had time to control the ball 30 yards from his own goal but his touch was heavy and when Dejan Kulusevski robbed him, James Maddison picked up the pieces to curl a good goal low to Alisson’s left.

Could this goal out of nowhere change the game? We wondered but then Salah read Szoboszlai’s header from a hacked Alexander-Arnold clearance earlier than anyone and ran clear to feed the Hungarian with a reverse ball. Szoboszlai, excellent all game, beat Forster comfortably to effectively seal the game before it was even at the midway point.

Tottenham, booed off by a minority at the interval, had to score next and they didn’t. Robertson won the ball just outside his own area in the 54th minute to enable Liverpool to go the length of the field through Diaz and Cody Gakpo. When Gakpo pulled the ball back from the byline, Spurs had two half chances to clear but couldn’t and Salah picked up the pieces to score.

Spurs were now in mortal danger of embarrassment and knew it. Three minutes later Szoboszlai was able to run clear on to a straight forward Alisson punt and when he rounded Forster only the side netting prevented him scoring Liverpool’s fifth. Then, ten seconds beyond the hour, Liverpool did score again as they cut through Postecoglou’s team down the left and converted another goal with ease as Szoboszlai cut the ball back to Salah.

The Egyptian now has one more Liverpool goal than the great Billy Liddell with 229 and sits fourth on the all-time list. This was a team performance though. It had stand out performances scattered all over it.

That Spurs then scored twice – in the 73rd and 83rd minutes – was something nobody saw coming. Only here, only at Tottenham. Dominic Solanke set up the first one – lofting a neat pass through to Kulusevski – and then scored the second on the stretch after Brennan Johnson out jumped Alexander-Arnold to head down a deep cross.

Any kind of real comeback would have been preposterous, the story of the season. It didn’t happen. Liverpool broke down the right and Diaz scored low on the overlap.

In the away end they sang Christmas carols. Everywhere else they just shrugged. This is Tottenham. Tottenham with mitigating circumstances but Tottenham all the same. For Postecoglou, the mission to crack the code goes on. Slot, meanwhile, is still awaiting his first proper bump in the road.

Tottenham fans protested against Daniel Levy before their game with Liverpool

Supporters complained about the chairman's financial management of the club

LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Are Tottenham managers treated differently to other managers?

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has come under fire from supporters amid their mixed form this season.

Before Ange Postecoglou's side hosted Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, fans were protesting against the 62-year-old chairman outside of the ground.

A popular tune in honour of Sweden midfielder Dejan Kulusevski was altered to take aim at the chairman.

‘I don’t care about Levy and he don’t care about me,’ one banner read. This reflects things such as ticket-price hikes and plans to scrap some concessions.

Another read: 'To dare is too dear. ENIC out,' beside a picture of Levy and Joe Lewis, the majority owner of Tottenham and previously ENIC Group, who bought a controlling stake of the club in 2001 from Alan Sugar.

These protesting words are a spin-off of Tottenham's motto 'To dare is to do'.

In a soon-to-be-released TV interview with Mail Sport’s Simon Jordan, Levy says he craves a trophy. An ally of his also commented some years ago: ‘We won’t leave this place until we win something’.

The Spurs chairman has spent over £1bn on transfer arrivals since the club last tasted silverware - the EFL Cup in 2008.

However, with their fourth permanent manager in five years, they still languish in the bottom-half of the Premier League table as we approach the half-way point of the campaign.

Spurs picked up their eighth defeat of the season against Liverpool, as they suffered a humiliating 6-3 loss.

They lie in 11th place, eight points behind Nottingham Forest in fourth, as they potentially face a third consecutive season outside of the Champions League next year.

Fans have taken to social media after a bizarre marketing stunt was staged at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium prior to Sunday's clash with Liverpool.

As Ange Postecoglou's side prepared to play host to the league leaders, supporters at the stadium were treated to various activities inspired by the hit Netflix show Squid Game.

A press release shared on social media revealed that 'Squid Game guards' dressed in the infamous pink jumpsuits from the series would be roaming the concourse before kick-off for photo opportunities.

In addition, a giant blimp of the Young-hee doll from Squid Game was placed outside the stadium.

The club announced a partnership with Netflix earlier this week to support the launch of the second season of Squid Game on December 26.

The first season of the Korean thriller became the streaming service's most watched series in history back in 2021.

The season two trailer will be shown on the stadium screens at half-time in the matches, while visual elements from the show will also be featured.

‘Squid Game 2 will undoubtedly be one of the most talked-about shows over the festive period and our partnership with Netflix places the Club at the centre of popular culture,' said Ryan Norys, Tottenham's chief revenue officer.

‘This is yet another exciting way to enhance the matchday experience and bring our fans fresh, engaging content across digital channels.’

One fan wrote on X: 'Squid game and 50 Cent.

'You’d never think spurs are down 10 first team players with two of their biggest games of season this week.

'It’s an entertainment venue and then a football club.'

Another agreed: 'Wtf is this squid game nonsense, we are so unserious it’s a joke.'

The players enter the pitch with a huge roar from all four stands and it has got me pumped up.

Sadly I have to listen to the Premier League anthem briefly, but all is made right as techno music is blasted out.

The only problem is, only a few hours ago my colleague Luke slandered me for ability... he is just trying to be nice now.

Anyway, you guys don't really care about how well I can play the sport I am reporting on, or maybe you do.

The professional stars I am paid to cover are now just moments away from talking to the pitch as the atmosphere cracks up.

It's easy to say for the manager whose playing style is ripped to pieces, but it's clear that Postecoglou stands behind his philosophy. Worth listening to his views in this clip where he defends his attacking style. This man isn't going to change.

Well, we've got a lovely video of Liverpool arriving in the stadium and the one thing that stands out to me is the sheer quantity of gum being gnawed on.

Does it provide a psychological advantage? Is it filled with nutrients? Perhaps there's a feature idea in this - how Arne Slot has Liverpool firing thanks to a gum revolution.

As for this game, Liverpool have reverted to a more familiar line-up after their Carabao Cup win at Southampton in midweek and I am interested in the continued exclusion of central defender Jarell Quansah.

He almost went to the Euros with England – he was in the original squad – and started the first game of Arne Slot’s tenure at Ipswich back in August. But he was hooked at half-time and has hardly been seen since.

Spurs come in for a lot of mockery and they don't help themselves. Fans have been forced to see a bizarre marketing stunt surrounding the hit Netflix show 'Squid Game' at the stadium.

Check this out. Tottenham have won just two of their last 25 games against Liverpool. Yes, you read that right. Two. They've lost 17 of those. it was, put simply, no fun playing against Jurgen Klopp for the north Londoners.

The fact that Liverpool have lost only one of their 24 games in all competitions this campaign stacks the odds against Spurs even more.

Alexander-Arnold joined the Men in Blazers podcast this week and talked of building a 'legacy'. You can read his comments either way, either as encouragement that he'll stay or the opposite.

'Of course, winning more trophies. But on a personal level it is building a legacy. That is something that is important,' he said.

Asked what he meant by that, he clarified: 'Just being spoken about in the highest regard, especially after you've finished [playing]. In 10 or 15 years, if I'm spoken about as one of the best right backs or the best right back then that's what I'm playing for now and using it as motivation.'

The Premier League constantly throws up surprises, though maybe United being hammered is not much of a shock these days. Ruben Amorim had not lost a league game all year at Sporting CP. Hasn't been so smooth at United.

This time last week he had not started a game for the club. Now he is about to start his third in eight days, ahead of Destiny Udogie and up against Mo Salah and the PL leaders.

He has stepped up very well when needed by Ange Postecoglou, who obviously was not convinced he would be good enough. This is his biggest test.

He's the man of the moment for Tottenham, slotting in ever so well at the back as they battle an injury crisis. leeds had a talent on their hands, Spurs snatched it, and now they are reaping the rewards from this versatile college-age starlet.

Postecoglou must have liked what he saw against Manchester United because he has taken the bold step of naming the exact same team three days later to face a much-refreshed Liverpool side.

Of course, his options are limited. Archie Gray starts again as a makeshift centre-back - not that you'd be able to tell that he doesn't usually play there from his performances so far.

Several changes from their Carabao Cup win over Southamtpon but just the one from last weekend, with Alexis Mac Allister in for Curtis Jones.

Mohamed Salah has the chance to set another Premier League record today, as he could become the first star in the competition's history to record double figures for goals and assists before Christmas Day.

Who knows, with his future up in the air, it could be his last chance to bag this record.

It's easy to forget that Liverpool won 26 of their first 27 games that season, drawing the other. Their first defeat was 3-0 at the hands of... Watford. Somehow they don't hold a league record points total, but still, it was a phenomenal team.

A rare admission emerged from the mouth of Arne Slot in midweek as he said that he would like to see Ange Postecoglou win a trophy - just not in any competition that Liverpool are in, though.

'Just be happy that we have managers like him that want to play this brand of football and that is why even I hope he wins something,' said Slot.

With Chelsea currently drawing at Everton, this could represent an opportunity to Arne Slot's men to extend their Premier League advantage.

And how much they'll want that. The Reds have faltered slightly in recent weeks, drawing with Newcastle and Fulham.

Ange Postecoglou has given his view on Marcus Rashford's bombshell admission that he is ready to leave Manchester United.

Postecoglou's Spurs are due to face United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Thursday night, but the build-up to the match has been dominated by Rashford's surprising comments.

After being left out of Ruben Amorim's squad for the Manchester derby on Sunday, Rashford revealed to journalist Henry Winter that he is 'ready for a new challenge' as he strongly hinted that his future lies away from Old Trafford.

Postecoglou was asked for his reaction to Rashford's situation at his press conference on Wednesday and delivered a blunt response.

'No interest, I don't care,' Postecoglou said. 'He's a Man United player, a very good player. They've got plenty of good players.

'But I manage my players and I guess other managers will manage their own players. But in terms of Marcus' situation, I have no real desire to examine it any further.'

It is currently unclear where Rashford could go if he does leave United, but Tottenham may be an option with captain Son Heung-min struggling for form on the left wing where the Red Devils forward tends to operate.

Yet Postecoglou had no intention of contemplating that idea on Wednesday as he instead turned his attention to trying to lead Spurs one step closer to their first piece of silverware since 2008.

It has since emerged that Tottenham will not have to worry about Rashford on Thursday night as he has been omitted from United's squad once again.

Alejandro Garnacho, who was dropped from the squad alongside Rashford on Sunday, is back in the travelling party for the trip to north London.

Rashford was sent home from training on Monday due to felling unwell, but was able to return to his old school on Tuesday to deliver 420 Christmas presents to schoolchildren.

It was there that he spoke to Winter about his future at United and the possibility of moving on from his boyhood club.

Amorim was asked about Rashford at his own press conference on Wednesday morning, and insisted the door remains open for the England international to force his way back into his plans.

‘We are better with Marcus Rashford, that is simple and we will try different things to push Marcus to the best levels he showed in the past. And that’s all,' Amorim said.

‘I think it’s right. We have here a new challenge. It’s a tough one, for me it’s the biggest challenge in football because we are in a difficult situation and I already said this is one of the biggest clubs in the world. This is a really new challenge and the biggest one. I really hope all my players are ready for this new challenge.’

Manchester United wantaway Marcus Rashford has been omitted from Ruben Amorim's squad to face Tottenham on Thursday night.

The Red Devils, who take on Spurs in a crucial League Cup quarter-final after triumphing 2-1 over rivals Manchester City on Sunday, are set to be without their highest earner again at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The £375,000-a-week star announced on Monday that he is ready for a 'new challenge' away from Manchester United after two decades at the club, just a day after being left out of his side's dramatic derby win over City.

Alejandro Garnacho, who was also omitted from Amorim's squad against the reigning champions, has returned to the squad and was seen alongside his Red Devils team-mates as they began the journey to London on Wednesday.

Perhaps in an effort to keep a low profile, the Argentine, 20, was pictured sporting a black beanie and snood to cover his face.

Aside from his Manchester derby snub at the weekend, Garnacho has much to celebrate after winning FIFA's Puskas Award for his astonishing overhead kick goal against Everton at Goodison Park last season.

Sunday's match-winner Amad Diallo was part of the travelling party alongside the likes of Casemiro, Harry Maguire, Manuel Ugarte and Antony, full of confidence after his sensational display against the champions.

The 22-year-old winger inspired United's late comeback by winning Bruno Fernandes' equalising penalty in the 88th minute, before netting the winner himself moments later, continuing his fine form under the new manager.

Amorim refused to close the door on Rashford's career on Wednesday by insisting he wants to keep the winger in the future, but Mail Sport have previously revealed the club would be willing to sanction a sale for a fee in the region of £40m.

Fielding questions into the snub ahead of the derby, Amorim stressed that it was just 'simple selection' and that, more cryptically, he 'pays attention to everything: the way you eat, the way you put on your clothes to go to the game. Everything'.

Red Devils legend Rio Ferdinand shared why he believes Rashford and Garnacho were dropped for Sunday's Manchester derby.

According to Ferdinand, Rashford and Garnacho may have to raise their standards in all aspects, hinting that Amorim may have 'heard or (seen) something he was unhappy with' off the pitch.

'This manager doesn't seem to be the type of guy that will let stuff side,' the Man United legend said on his Rio Presents podcast on Tuesday. 'He seems to be a very honest and straightforward guy. We saw Erik ten Hag do this early, going against the players.

'But in time, the consistency wasn't there across the board with other players. The squad then starts picking holes in that. I'd like to think it's different with Amorim, he seems very direct, 'you're not playing – that's it and that's why'.

'I think in the training ground, he's instructed all of his staff to keep their eyes open about everything. How do these players interact with all members of staff? How are they when I'm not in the room? He seems like a man of detail.

'He wants a harmonious environment. A proper culture of respect. I think he's seen or heard a couple of things that he isn't quite happy with. There's something not related to football that I think has happened. They probably flippantly did not say hello to someone or have not been as warm to people.

'These little one-per-centers add up to building a culture to win. If you let these go, the culture to win takes even longer. Every single detail, "I don't like that, nail it". Punctuality, respect for team-mates, etc.'

United take on Spurs off the back of their 5-0 triumph over Premier League strugglers Southampton on Sunday.

Ange Postecoglou's side ended a five-game winless run with the victory at St Mary's, and Thursday night's clash is one of huge significance for both managers given each club's eagerness for silverware.

Tottenham have not won a trophy since the League Cup in 2008, while Manchester United won the FA Cup under Ten Hag last season.

Man United press conference LIVE: Ruben Amorim meets the media  Daily Mail

Tottenham supporters have hit back at plans for Squid Game guards to roam their stadium for two matches, after the Premier League giants announced a partnership with the hit Netflix show.

The club announced activations will take place ahead of Premier League matches against Liverpool and Wolves at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 22 and 29 respectively.

Tottenham said the partnership with Netflix will support the launch of the second season of Squid Game on December 26.

The first season of the Korean thriller became the streaming service's most watched series in history back in 2021.

Tottenham announced plans for activities for fans attending their upcoming two Premier League matches.

This included Squid Game guards roaming the stadium in pink hooded jumpsuits for photo opportunities, while a giant blimp of the Young-hee doll - featured in the ‘Red Light, Green Light’ game – will appear outside the stadium pre-match.

The season two trailer will be shown on the stadium screens at half-time in the matches, while visual elements from the show will also be featured.

Tottenham's men's and women's team players will also participate in challenges from the show on the club's channels.

‘Squid Game 2 will undoubtedly be one of the most talked-about shows over the festive period and our partnership with Netflix places the Club at the centre of popular culture,' said Ryan Norys, Tottenham's chief revenue officer.

‘This is yet another exciting way to enhance the matchday experience and bring our fans fresh, engaging content across digital channels.’

The announcement, however, has faced a backlash from Tottenham fans on social media with supporters questioning the club's priorities.

'Games gone. What on earth is this,' one account responded on social media.

'Oh, f*** off. Giant dolls and muppets pretending to be villains in pink trackies roaming around in matchday, yet we can't turn to the music off before KO or put a few hundred fans together to sing,' another responded.

'There used to be a football club over there.'

A third wrote 'The attempted Americanisation of match days at Spurs is becoming so miserable. They advertise where singers are going to be performing in the concourses, light shows, squid game cosplayers, even the trumpet now.

'No one cares about it, or wants any of it. Win some games!'

The criticism of the partnership comes just days after Tottenham's away end chanted protest songs against chairmen Daniel Levy.

Sections of Tottenham fans have also announced plans for a protest against ENIC - the club's majority owners - ahead of the match against Liverpool on December 22.

The planned protest is reportedly aimed at highlighting ‘dissatisfaction with the club’s current direction in footballing matters’.

Fans will reportedly release balloons in the 24th minute of the match to signify the years ENIC have been in charge of the club.

Tottenham are currently 10th in the Premier League table after an inconsistent season, with seven wins, two draws and seven defeats to date.

Ange Postecoglou’s side are five points off the Premier League’s top four.

The Football Association have dismissed Tottenham's appeal to have Rodrigo Bentancur's ban for using a 'racial slur' against team-mate Son Heung-min reduced.

Spurs had hoped they would be able to bring the midfielder back into the fray sooner amidst a chaotic festive schedule - that will now see him miss games against Man United and Liverpool - after Bentancur made the alleged racist remark during a television interview.

The club did not want to contest the guilt of Bentancur's remarks but attempted to challenge the length of the initial seven-match ban that had been imposed.

Mail Sport's Sami Mokbel exclusively revealed earlier in November that the FA were set to hit the Uruguayan with a huge ban following the incident. He was subsequently given his seven-game sanction and fined £100,000.

The FA have a minimum timespan of six games for bans pertaining to racial abuse but gave Bentancur an extra game as they felt his comments constituted an 'aggravated breach'.

However, Tottenham's appeal has now been dismissed by the FA who issued a short statement before confirming they would release extended details for their decision at a later date.

Rejecting Spurs' claim to have the ban reduced, the FA stated: 'An independent Appeal Board has dismissed an appeal by Rodrigo Bentancur in relation to his recent suspension.

'An independent Regulatory Commission imposed a seven-match suspension on the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder for an aggravated breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.

'This appeal was dismissed following a hearing, and the seven-match suspension remains as ordered by the Regulatory Commission.

'The Appeal Board’s written reasons for its decision will be published in due course.'

Bentancur was charged by the FA on September 12 with an alleged misconduct breach in relation to a media interview, which emerged in June.

The interview showed Bentancur being asked by the host of Canal 10 to show the shirt of a Spurs player to which he replied: 'Sonny's? It could be Sonny's cousin too as they all look the same.'

While Bentancur swiftly apologised, due to this being an 'aggravated breach', an independent regulatory commission panel was required to either uphold the FA charge or dismiss the case.

The 27-year-old has so far missed Premier League matches against Manchester City, Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Southampton, but has been permitted to play in the Europa League.

He will be back available for league selection on Boxing Day when Spurs travel to face Nottingham Forest.