Spurs face a tough task as they face high-flying Liverpool over two legs in the Carabao Cup semi-final, but one pundit has revealed why they have a chance.
The importance of Tottenham winning a trophy
By the time the Carabao Cup final comes around it will have been 17 years since Tottenham last won a major trophy. Although they have finished second in the Premier League, competed in three League Cup finals and a Champions League final since then, they have continued to fall agonisingly short of their ultimate goal.
Further to this, Spurs are having a dreadful season in the league, with their worst points tally at the midway stage of the season since 2008/09. They are currently closer in points to the relegation zone than they are to the top four, as they sit 11th in the Premier League table.
Although the Europa League was seen as Tottenham’s best chance to win a trophy this season, they have done well in the League Cup, overcoming a scare with a late winner against Coventry City, before defeating Manchester City and Manchester United. But now Spurs face Liverpool, who have only lost one match all season.
Gary Lineker believes Spurs could have a chance against Liverpool
Taking on the team top of both the Premier League and the Champions League tables will be no easy task. Gary Lineker believes this to be the very reason why Spurs have a chance, as Liverpool will prioritise these competitions over the League Cup.
Appearing on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker said: “Particularly, probably the cup game because it’s been so long since Spurs have won something. It’s hard to see him getting past Liverpool. The only thing I would say is that Liverpool will probably rest quite a few.
“I know it sounds mad in a semi-final, but there are Champions League games coming up, although they’re in pretty good shape there. But with them being so far ahead in the league, that would take absolute priority for Liverpool.
“So I’d be surprised if they didn’t mix it up a little bit, which might help the chances of Spurs.”
Spurs will not field a full-strength team either in the Carabao Cup
While Arne Slot may decide to rest some of his key players, Tottenham will likely be without some regular starters due to the ongoing injuries in their first-team squad.
With just over a week until the first leg, Spurs are set to be without a number of defenders, while James Maddison and Pape Matar Sarr are both suspended for the first leg.