Liverpool versus Tottenham: Broadcast details, start time, live streaming options, officiating, injury updates, and squad information
Liverpool will face Tottenham in an important Premier League encounter for both sides on Sunday.
Liverpool is vying for a Champions League qualification spot, while Spurs are eager to steer clear of relegation.
The home side will aim to bounce back positively following a 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League. Currently, they sit sixth in the standings with 48 points, just two points shy of fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Spurs have not secured a league victory since the first week of December. They have lost their last five matches and are positioned 16th in the league with 29 points, only one point above West Ham United, who are in the relegation zone. Manager Igor Tudor is under significant pressure, having lost all matches since his arrival, and now he must motivate his team after a disappointing 5-2 defeat to Atlético Madrid recently.
Here’s all the essential information regarding the match:
How to watch
The match will be aired on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football in the UK, NBC in the U.S., JioHotstar in India, and Stan Sport in Australia. Additionally, you can keep up with ESPN’s live updates.
Key Details
Kick-off time: Sunday, March 15 at 4:30 p.m. GMT (11:30 a.m. ET; 10 p.m. IST, and 3:30 a.m. AEDT, Monday)
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
VAR: John Brooks
Team news
Tottenham
Dejan Kulusevski, M: OUT, knee, est. return early May
Micky van de Ven, D: OUT, suspension
Wilson Odobert, F: OUT, ACL, est. return early July
Destiny Udogie, D: OUT, muscle, est. return unknown
Ben Davies, D: OUT, ankle, est. return mid April
James Maddison, M: OUT, ACL, est. return early May
Lucas Bergvall, M: OUT, leg, est. return late April
Rodrigo Bentancur, M: OUT, hamstring, est. return mid April
Mohammed Kudus, F: OUT, muscle, est. return mid April
Liverpool
Alexander Isak, F: ankle, OUT
Conor Bradley, D: knee, OUT
Wataru Endo, M: ankle, OUT
Giovanni Leoni, D: knee, OUT
Stefan Bajcetic, M: hamstring, OUT
Talking Points
Should Salah be dropped?
This season has posed significant challenges for Mohamed Salah. Since joining the club in 2017, Salah has consistently showcased his talent on the pitch. Last season was marked by one of the league’s standout individual performances, but there has been a noticeable decline since then. After resolving issues with the club and head coach, Salah returned from AFCON hoping for a resurgence in form, yet he has struggled to make a consistent impact.
While the away match against Galatasaray in the Champions League was undoubtedly tough, Salah faced difficulties against a team with a weak defense. Following his substitution for Jeremie Frimpong in the second half, Liverpool created more threats from the right side. Although Salah still has moments of brilliance, they lack the consistency that characterized his previous seasons. His touch, pace, and finishing have not been at their usual level this season.
When head coach Arne Slot benched him for several matches last year, Salah publicly expressed his disappointment. This situation presents a dilemma for a head coach who is already under immense pressure. However, it may be prudent to rest him and allow Frimpong, who appears fit enough to start, to take his place.
Igor Tudor needs a win to save his job and save Spurs
Since his appointment a month ago following the dismissal of Thomas Frank, Tudor has lost all four matches with Tottenham. Beyond his record, Tottenham’s form has been so poor that they find themselves in a relegation battle and nearly out of the Champions League.
In addition to failing to secure victories, Tudor has been quite vocal, often in a manner that could be perceived as demeaning regarding his players and the team’s situation. His choice to start Antonín Kinsky as goalkeeper against Atletico, only to substitute him after conceding three goals in just 17 minutes, highlighted his struggles to adapt.
Following the heavy defeat to Atletico, it is surprising that Tudor has not been dismissed. He requires a victory against Liverpool to retain his position and potentially salvage his club’s season.
Wirtz needs to be more clinical
It was encouraging to see Florian Wirtz return to full fitness from a back injury and start against Galatasaray, but his performance was lackluster. The German player has begun to find his footing after a challenging few months in a new league, scoring goals and providing assists prior to his injury, yet he must elevate his game during this critical phase of the season.
There is no doubt that Liverpool relies on him for both creativity and goals, especially as other attackers are not performing at their best. In the match against Galatasaray, Wirtz missed a significant opportunity early in the first half when he shot wide at an open goal. Such early chances need to be converted if Liverpool aims to achieve success this season. While it may be unfair to place such expectations on Wirtz in his first season, he arrived at the club with a hefty price tag, and the team needs him to step up in crucial moments.
Spurs’ defensive struggles
Spurs’ defense has allowed 14 goals in their last four matches. While their attacking capabilities have been hampered by long-term knee injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, their defense has also been affected by injuries, suspensions, and tactical issues.
Under Tudor, players have struggled to adapt to his man-to-man defensive strategy. Numerous marking errors have allowed opponents to exploit open spaces. Basic mistakes, such as failing to track crosses, have proven costly, indicating that the players have not adjusted to his methods.
The lack of a consistent backline has also been a challenge for Spurs. Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin, Destiny Udogie, and Ben Davies have all missed significant time due to injuries and suspensions.
Stats
Tottenham Hotspur has managed to win only one of their last 16 Premier League encounters against Liverpool (D3 L12), losing the last four consecutively since a 2-1 home victory in September 2023.
Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur is the highest-scoring fixture in Premier League history, with a total of 209 goals, of which Liverpool has scored 127.
Liverpool has lost only one of their last 31 home league matches against Tottenham Hotspur (W21, D9) and remains unbeaten in 14 (W10, D4) since a 2-0 defeat in May 2011.
A win for Liverpool on Sunday would mark their 1,500th league victory at Anfield in their history.
Tottenham has not won in 11 consecutive league matches for the first time since October 1975. Their last victory was on December 6, a 2-0 win over Brentford.
