A closer look at the selection dilemmas facing Arne Slot for Tottenham after the 2-1 win over Southampton on Tuesday
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Cody Gakpo greets Luis Diaz of Liverpool FC following the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between RB Leipzig and Liverpool FC at Leipzig Stadium on October 23, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Luciano Lima/Getty Images)
Liverpool continued their quest to retain the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening with a 2-1 victory over Southampton on the south coast. Arne Slot left out big stars Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah as he put out a changed team for the match, ensuring players were well rested for the visit to Tottenham on Sunday.
And the Reds will be desperate to beat Ange Postecoglu's inconsistent side as they look to keep their noses ahead of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table.
And here we look ahead to the changes Slot could make when his team are next in action.
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Defensive reshuffle
Liverpool's continued participation in the Carabao Cup gave Arne Slot a double boost this week. Andy Robertson served his suspension for the red card he received against Fulham on Saturday, meaning he's available for selection against Tottenham Hotspur. Meanwhile, Kostas Tsimikas managed to get through 45 minutes in his return from injury to strengthen Liverpool's options further at left-back.
Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk should return to the side having been rested in midweek, with Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah competing for a place alongside him. Ibrahima Konate remains injured. At right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold should be available for selection having played 45 minutes against Southampton with Conor Bradley still sidelined.
Midfield options
Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai also benefitted from a rest against Southampton. Those players will come into contention for Spurs. Gravenberch in particular is a player who was in need of a breather after an intense schedule that saw him a fixture in the Liverpool midfield.
Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott and Wataru Endo - who put in a superb performance against Southampton - are other options available for Slot to choose from.
Jota return
Diogo Jota made another appearance against Southampton, having come off the bench to score a vital equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Fulham. The Portuguese striker could come into contention for a start against Spurs should he have suffered no ill effects from his return to action this week. Darwin Nunez, who was on the scoresheet against the Saints, will also fight for the central striker spot.
Cody Gakpo, who scored at Tottenham during a controversial defeat last season, notched another assist on the south coast and will compete with Luis Diaz, who was rested at St Mary's, for the left wing spot.
Mohamed Salah will likely start on the right but Slot will have been buoyed by Federico Chiesa's lively cameo from the bench against Southampton.