Tottenham Hotspur travel to Merseyside on Sunday to take on Liverpool F.C. in the Premier League, with Igor Tudor forced to cope with a heavily depleted squad.
Four league matches is far from enough time for a manager to fully implement his philosophy, yet Spurs cannot afford to wait for results. Micky van de Ven even labelled the current circumstances a “doomsday scenario.” To many supporters, Tottenham’s dramatic downturn this season feels disastrous, leaving the north London club stretched to its limits as they fight to avoid sliding closer to the relegation zone.
Spurs approach the meeting with last season’s champions, Liverpool F.C., with their resources severely strained. Although Liverpool have also experienced inconsistency this season, Tottenham’s mounting injury problems have significantly reduced their chances of returning from Merseyside with a positive outcome.
Meanwhile, Tudor’s future as interim manager continues to be debated. However, the board’s decision to postpone any major decisions until after the weekend suggests they acknowledge the challenging situation created by the club’s growing injury list.
The problems intensified last week when Micky van de Ven was sent off during the match against Crystal Palace F.C.. The Dutch defender, arguably Spurs’ standout performer this season, made a rash challenge on Ismaïla Sarr that allowed Palace to turn the game in their favour.
Tottenham’s issues were compounded when Cristian Romero and João Palhinha collided in the defeat to Atlético Madrid, leaving both players sidelined under concussion protocols.
In total, up to 13 senior players could miss the trip. With Yves Bissouma injured and Conor Gallagher reportedly battling a fever, Tudor may be forced to rethink his tactical approach and reposition an underperforming player into a different role.
One possible solution could involve Xavi Simons, who has struggled to find his rhythm since arriving from RB Leipzig for around £51 million last summer. Despite his slow start, the 22-year-old is still regarded as one of Europe’s most talented young playmakers, with journalist Graeme Bailey previously describing him as a potential superstar.
Nevertheless, Simons has found the Premier League difficult to adapt to. Content creator Ronaldo Brown once remarked that the youngster appeared to have been “swallowed by the Premier League,” often looking uncertain on the ball and struggling to generate attacking momentum.
However, the wider context cannot be ignored. Tottenham’s ongoing struggles have clearly affected the confidence within the squad, and several players likely have more to offer than they have shown. Even during his difficult period, Simons has displayed flashes of the talent that led to early comparisons with Christian Eriksen when he first arrived.
As an attacking midfielder, Simons is capable in physical contests and contributes defensively when needed. Although he is naturally more effective further up the pitch, Tottenham’s shortage of midfield options could see him used in a deeper role to help stabilise a weakened midfield while still providing some creative spark.
While he may not possess the defensive presence of someone like João Palhinha, Simons could potentially operate in a box-to-box capacity against Liverpool’s midfield, which has also shown inconsistencies this season. If the adjustment proves effective, it could offer Spurs a valuable tactical alternative as they attempt to steady their season in the months ahead.
