Tottenham Hotspur are three matches away from their first piece of silverware since 2008.
Having taken the strenuous path to the Carabao Cup semi-finals, beating both Manchester clubs en route to the last four, Spurs now prepare for two legs with high-flying Premier League leaders Liverpool. Should they triumph across the pair of fixtures, they would meet either Newcastle United or bitter rivals Arsenal in the showpiece event.
Conquering Liverpool will be their toughest challenge to date, with injuries still wreaking havoc for the unfortunate and under-fire Ange Postecoglou. Defensive absentees have been notable in recent months, with Spurs' 6-3 defeat to the Reds before Christmas highlighting the lack of organisation and solidity within the rearguard.
Spurs will have to make significant improvements if they are to avoid another hiding, with Postecoglou not boasting a wealth of options. Here is the team he could select on Wednesday evening.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Liverpool (4-2-3-1)
GK: Antonin Kinsky - Spurs made their first signing of January when recruiting 21-year-old Czech goalkeeper Kinsky for approximately �12.5m. With Guglielmo Vicario sidelined and Fraser Forster battling illness, he could be rushed into the XI against Liverpool. A baptism of fire for the stopper.
RB: Pedro Porro - Porro's exquisite deliveries into the penalty area in the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United at the weekend highlight his ability to unpick opposition backlines. However, his own defensive vulnerabilities will be tested by Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz on Wednesday.
CB: Radu Dragusin - The Romanian offered a characteristically iffy performance during the December meeting, shipping six without much resistance. Dragusin's task may be made even tougher by the insatiable Diogo Jota, who could be offered a first start since his injury return.
CB: Archie Gray - Gray has performed admirably in an injury-stricken and unfamiliar Spurs backline, but centre-back is unlikely to be the youngster's long-term position. He has, at the very least, been offered exposure to plenty of first-team football recently.
LB: Djed Spence - Spence returned from suspension against the Magpies and it was a timely comeback following a long-term injury to first-choice left-back Destiny Udogie. He's yet to fully convince in a Spurs shirt, however.
DM: Rodrigo Bentancur - Absent at the weekend after a fresh suspension, Bentancur's return could be significant against Liverpool. He's been sorely missed when absent and will be even more pivotal on Wednesday following Pape Matar Sarr's suspension.
DM: Yves Bissouma - Illness has spread through the Spurs camp recently and Bissouma's benching at the weekend may have come as a result. He featured for the final half-hour against Newcastle and will be required to stifle an energetic Liverpool midfield.
RW: Brennan Johnson - Johnson has been largely impressive this season despite sometimes blowing hot and cold. The Welsh winger has mustered 11 goals in 29 campaign appearances and produced an assist from the bench during the 6-3 loss to Liverpool.
AM: Dejan Kulusevski - Kulusevski was the saving grace for Spurs against Liverpool last month and the influential Swede has been relentlessly brilliant in an attacking midfield or wide role this term.
LW: Son Heung-min - Having seen his contract extended until 2026, Son should celebrate with a return to the starting lineup on Wednesday. Postecoglou suggested that the hectic fixture list resulted in the South Korean being dropped at the weekend.
ST: Dominic Solanke - Solanke scored his first goal against former employers Liverpool in the 6-3 rollercoaster, producing a tidy finish to beat former teammate Alisson. Another goal at the weekend will offer him confidence against the visiting Reds.
READ THE LATEST TOTTENHAM NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
feed
