With scrutiny intensifying around Thomas Frank, the Tottenham head coach has an opportunity to hand fans an early festive boost when Spurs host Liverpool on Saturday.
Pressure has grown since last weekend’s damaging 3-0 loss away to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, a result that prompted sections of the support to openly question Frank’s future. While that defeat appeared to mark a turning point, any immediate talk of a managerial change was quickly dismissed after it became clear the club’s hierarchy remain behind their coach.
Tottenham currently sit in the lower half of the Premier League and have managed just one league victory in their last seven outings, with ongoing inconsistency stalling any progress. Liverpool, meanwhile, arrive in North London carrying momentum of their own and are beginning to rediscover their groove.
The reigning Premier League champions are unbeaten in five matches across all competitions and occupy seventh place, coming into this clash off the back of a comfortable 2-0 win over Brighton.
Match details
Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Date: Saturday, 20 December 2025
Kick-off: 5:30 pm BST
Referee: John Brooks
VAR: Stuart Attwell
Head-to-head
The sides faced each other four times last season, including a thrilling Carabao Cup semi-final. Tottenham claimed a narrow 1-0 win in the first leg at home, but were then swept aside 4-0 at Anfield.
In the Premier League, Liverpool completed a convincing double over Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs, recording emphatic 6-3 and 5-1 victories. Overall, Tottenham’s recent record against the Reds is bleak, with just two wins from their last 25 league meetings (D6, L17).
Tottenham team news
Spurs will be without Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma, both away on AFCON duty with Senegal and Mali. Injury problems persist, with Destiny Udogie, James Maddison, Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski all unavailabl
Liverpool team news
Talk over Mohamed Salah’s future briefly dominated the headlines after reports of a disagreement with Arne Slot, but the Egyptian responded with a strong showing against Brighton, registering an assist and posing a constant threat. He will, however, miss this game due to AFCON commitments.
Joe Gomez was forced off early in that match with a hamstring injury, further weakening Liverpool’s options at right-back, especially with Jeremie Frimpong also sidelined. Dominic Szoboszlai remains a doubt after picking up a possible ankle issue, while Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo and Cody Gakpo are confirmed absentees.
Predicted Tottenham XI
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Bergvall; Simons, Kudus, Richarlison; Kolo Muani
Prediction
Richarlison has a track record of producing against Liverpool and could be a key figure once again, while Xavi Simons is growing increasingly comfortable in a Spurs shirt. Both players may exploit a Liverpool defence that has shown occasional fragility, particularly through central areas.
Tottenham will also take encouragement from the absence of Salah and Gakpo, who caused them major problems last season. That said, Hugo Ekitike arrives in good form and remains a danger.
On paper, few Spurs fans will be expecting victory, but the atmosphere will depend heavily on the performance and the number of chances created. Thomas Frank knows that a win—or even a strong, competitive showing—could significantly ease the pressure.
Predicted score: Tottenham Hotspur 2–1 Liverpool
