Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho has said to Football London that Liverpool defender Rhys Williams impressed him when the two sides last met.
Williams was drafted into Liverpool’s line-up back in December at Anfield, when the Reds ran out 2-1 winners over Tottenham.
With Liverpool struggling with injuries at the back, Jurgen Klopp has bemoaned his side’s lack of options.
But Mourinho has played down Liverpool’s issues, suggesting that Tottenham’s opponents tonight have plenty of options to play in the heart of their backline.
“They have good players, they have experienced players. Fabinho, he can play everywhere. Everywhere. Matip back, experienced player,” Mourinho said.
“Jordan Henderson is another guy that with his experience and knowledge of the game, he can play everywhere too.
“And then they have also a couple of young players that did OK, for example Williams played very well against us at Anfield.
“Sometimes it happens to clubs. Some players are really impossible to replace and you have to wait until they’re back and that’s what’s happening with Van Dijk.”
Williams has not always looked as impressive as he did when Liverpool last met Tottenham, with the youngster badly struggling on his last outing.
That is no fault of his own, though, as his rapid rise to Liverpool’s first-team is surely way ahead of schedule.
Liverpool’s backline against Tottenham tonight should have a far more familiar look about it, as their injury issues have improved in the week.
Matip is available and Jordan Henderson is also set to return, which means that Liverpool should have a far stronger side to put out against Tottenham later.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
