Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur will welcome Liverpool to North London for a 5:30pm Premier League kick-off on December 20.
Arne Slot held his pre-Spurs press conference earlier on Friday and shared some interesting updates.
Slot praised Hugo Ekitike’s efforts away from the final third, saying the Frenchman is doing something else that is a ‘big help’ to the Reds.
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Federico Chiesa is being disrespected by Arne Slot! How would you use the Italian vs Tottenham?
“It just doesn’t seem like he trusts him [Chiesa]. I know when they lost at Plymouth, Slot was furious with Chiesa.”
Lewis Steele on Federico Chiesa
Federico Chiesa of Liverpool F.C. looks on during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield
Credit: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images
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Elsewhere, the Dutchman gave a Liverpool injury update, with a couple of key stars expected to miss the fixture.
Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez were ruled out of the tie, while Slot did not confirm if Dominik Szoboszlai would feature.
Thomas Frank predicts Szoboszlai return vs Tottenham
Szoboszlai was injured against Brighton and Hove Albion after he was forced to fill in at right-back for the aforementioned Gomez.
Speaking about the Hungarian on Friday, Slot said: “Dominik trained in parts yesterday for the first time, so let’s see how he is today and tomorrow.”
Arne Slot and Thomas Frank prior to Brentford FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League
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While the Liverpool coach would not give a definitive answer on whether Szoboszlai will feature or not, Thomas Frank thinks he knows what is going to happen.
When addressing the media at his own press conference on Friday afternoon, the Dane labelled the Liverpool midfielder a ‘beast’ and said he will play on Saturday.
Frank stated: “Szoboszlai is a beast, he will play tomorrow, of course.”
Who is your least favourite opposition player of all-time? Richarlison has got to be up there!
Richarlison warms up ahead of Tottenham's UEFA Champions League match against Slavia Prague at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images). Richarlison argues with Virgil van Dijk during Tottenham's Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine).
Image Credit: Getty Images/Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/Carl Recine
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Thomas Frank praises more Liverpool players
The Hungarian is not the only Liverpool star Frank had high praise for on Friday.
He was also quick to comment upon Ekitike, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, the latter of whom he is expecting to come good.
Frank said: “They’re an excellent team, they’re the champions. They started very well. They signed fantastic players, Hugo Ekitike, what a season he’s having.
“Isak is a top striker, he will come good and Wirtz is fantastic but still adapting to the league.”
Micky van de Ven’s verdict on Isak was very similar to that of his current manager ahead of the game, let’s see if he can live up to expectations.
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