The marquee fixture of Matchday 17 arrives at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Spurs host title-chasing Liverpool in a clash that will test the limits of Arne Slot's depleted squad.
Liverpool's AFCON exodus and injury crisis
Slot faces his most significant selection headache of the season. Mohamed Salah has departed for the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt, leaving Liverpool without their talisman who has been instrumental to their title challenge. The Egyptian's group stage commitments against Zimbabwe, South Africa and Angola mean he could miss up to seven league matches depending on Egypt's progress.
The injury list compounds the problem. Dominik Szoboszlai limped off against Brighton with an ankle concern, while Joe Gomez's muscle injury sustained in the same match makes him extremely doubtful. Slot was candid post-Brighton: "If I have a player who goes off with a muscle injury like Joe, that's normally not a positive thing. I would not expect him to be in the squad."
Cody Gakpo and Wataru Endo remain sidelined for "weeks" with their respective issues, while Jeremie Frimpong continues his recovery from a hamstring problem sustained against Eintracht Frankfurt. The positive news: Conor Bradley returns from suspension.
Tactical implications without Salah
Liverpool's system has been built around Salah's ability to stretch defences and create overloads on the right flank. Without him, Slot must reconfigure his attacking structure. Federico Chiesa could deputise on the right, though his recent illness and stop-start integration raise questions about match sharpness.
The alternative is shifting Luis Díaz centrally with Darwin Núñez and deploying Diogo Jota in a supporting role. Either approach represents a significant departure from Liverpool's established patterns.
Spurs' own defensive struggles
Ange Postecoglou's side enter this fixture with their own problems. Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Destiny Udogie (hamstring) and Radu Dragusin have all been unavailable, leaving Spurs short of defensive options. The aggressive pressing style that defines Postecoglou's philosophy becomes difficult to sustain without reliable cover.
The Australian will see Liverpool's absentees as an opportunity. A high press against a reorganised Liverpool attack could force errors, particularly from players unfamiliar with starting roles in this system.
Key tactical battle: midfield control
With both sides weakened, the midfield battle becomes crucial. Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch have formed an effective partnership, but without Szoboszlai's energy ahead of them, Liverpool may struggle to progress the ball efficiently through central areas.
Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall will look to exploit any hesitation. Spurs' ability to win second balls and transition quickly could be the decisive factor.
Prediction
Liverpool's depth should still see them through, but this will be uncomfortable. A narrow away victory, perhaps 2-1, with Liverpool's defensive organisation proving more reliable than their depleted attack.
