Ian Wright has stated that it would work in Tottenham ‘favour’ if Liverpool are without the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho today, as he told Premier League Productions (18/12/21 at 4:55 pm)
The former striker also added that Tottenham have well and truly lost their momentum following recent postponements, and whatever happens, it’s going to be a ’tough’ game against the title contenders.
On Thursday, whilst Tottenham’s game against Leicester was postponed because of COVID, three Liverpool players – Van Dijk, Fabinho and Curtis Jones – were absent after returning positive COVID tests.
According to the Daily Mail, they took PCR tests on Thursday and it remains to be seen whether they have to continue to self-isolate for ten days, or if they return negative results and, as a result, be allowed to play this afternoon.
In truth, not many people will know who will or won’t play this afternoon because the recent COVID outbreak has caused havoc for all.
And Wright shared his thoughts on Spurs playing for the first time in two weeks against the highest scorers in the league.
On Spurs losing momentum: “Of course it has,” said Wright. “I remember there were times that you would turn up at a ground and it was called off.
“For us, at the time, it was frozen pitch or something. Now we are talking about COVID.
“You are hoping, from their point of view, that those players from Liverpool (Van Dijk and Fabinho) are not in because that’s going to be in Tottenham’s favour for them players not to be playing.
“When you have Salah, Mane and Jota or Firmino, or whoever it is. Against, I know Conte can sort them out defensively, but them three what they can do and get done. (But) it is going to be tough for Tottenham, whatever happens.”
On one hand, Spurs are at an advantage because they have had the rest and preparation for this match.
But, they have lost that match sharpness and are going to be thrust straight into the deep end against one of the best teams in Europe right now.
Either way, Spurs will have the home crowd behind them and they will be well up for it after missing two weeks of football.
As things stand, the game does go ahead because, as the Aston Villa-Burnley game proved yesterday, things can change pretty quickly.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
