Tottenham vs Liverpool in late December usually arrives gift-wrapped: noise, chances, and enough plot twists to power a whole festive fixture montage. This one has an extra edge because both sides are walking into it with a proper, practical need for points.
Spurs are trying to stop a season from drifting into one long troubleshooting session under Thomas Frank after that bruising 3-0 loss at Nottingham Forest. Liverpool, reigning champions, are in mini-revival mode after wins over Inter and Brighton, but they have not turned that into consistent league momentum yet. And with Mohamed Salah away at AFCON, the attacking responsibility has a new name on it: Hugo Ekitike.
Tottenham and Liverpool always put on a show
Team News
Tottenham
The headline is less about one absence and more about the cumulative effect. Spurs have been juggling a long injury list for months, and the squad has looked like it has been built via a constant game of positional Tetris. There has been a particular lack of continuity in the attacking line and in midfield rotation, which makes it harder to build rhythm, especially against top opponents.
There is at least one clear positive for Spurs fans who like their football with a bit of edge: Cristian Romero is back in the frame and, importantly, back looking like a centre-back who can swing a match’s mood. More on that in a second.
Liverpool
Liverpool’s update is sharper and more specific. Joe Gomez went off injured against Brighton and is not expected to be involved here. Dominik Szoboszlai was also forced off with an ankle issue and remains a doubt. There is better news elsewhere, with Conor Bradley available again and Jeremie Frimpong close to a return
The biggest absence, though, is obvious. Salah is unavailable due to AFCON, which reshapes Liverpool’s attacking plan and puts more emphasis on collective execution rather than one dominant outlet. The squad has solutions, but not many luxuries.
We're at #20 in the Top-25 players of 2025 countdown and Liverpool's tireless midfielder Ryan Gravenberch takes this spot! Agree with his position? Think he should've been ranked higher or lower? pic.twitter.com/fm7KXTEF4i
— 365Scores (@365Scores) December 14, 2025
Key Stats
Start with the obvious: this fixture has a habit of losing all sense of proportion.
- The last seven meetings between Tottenham and Liverpool have produced 36 goals, an average of just over five per game.
- Liverpool have scored 24 of those goals, underlining how open Spurs-Liverpool matches tend to become once the first goal lands.
- Tottenham have scored freely this season, but their underlying chance creation has lagged behind their output, suggesting hot finishing rather than sustained control.
- Liverpool’s defensive record looks shakier than their underlying numbers suggest, with several goals conceded coming from isolated errors rather than long spells of pressure.
- Liverpool arrive seventh in the table, Spurs sit just outside the top half. The gap is not huge, but the emotional swing from a win or loss absolutely is.
The theme is familiar: Spurs thrive on moments, Liverpool live on fine margins. This game is about which one holds.
Key Players
Cristian Romero
Romero is the rare defender who can be both a stabiliser and a momentum-shifter. His Newcastle away performance earlier this season was the perfect illustration. Spurs were wobbling late, the match drifting away, and Romero produced two goals, including a stoppage-time overhead kick, to drag them back from the brink.
That matters here. Against Liverpool, Romero’s responsibilities are layered. He has to dominate his own box, manage duels without overcommitting, and help Spurs survive the transitional moments that Liverpool love to exploit. At the same time, he remains one of Tottenham’s most dangerous set-piece threats.
If Spurs are going to win this, they probably need Romero at his best. Not just aggressive, but controlled. The version who reads danger early and still finds a way to impose himself at the other end.
Hugo Ekitike
Without Salah, Liverpool’s attack naturally reshapes itself. Ekitike is the player most likely to benefit. He comes into this match off a two-goal performance against Brighton that showcased both sides of his game: sharp movement to strike early, and the composure to finish when Liverpool build patiently.
What makes Ekitike interesting in this context is his versatility. He can stretch a back line, occupy centre-backs, and still drop into pockets to link play. Against a Spurs defence that can be aggressive but occasionally disjointed, that blend is valuable. He already has seven goals and two assists this season in the Premier League. As the main man against Spurs, he’ll be licking his lips with the opportunity of scoring more.
What’s at stake?
For Tottenham, this feels like a temperature-check game. After the Forest defeat, Spurs need to show that their season still has direction. Frank does not need a flawless performance, but he does need evidence that this side can compete with elite opposition without collapsing into reactive football.
A win would feel like momentum. A draw would buy time. Another flat loss would invite uncomfortable conversations about where this project is actually heading.
Tottenham are having their worst run in the EPL since 2008-09 with just 22 points after 16 games. Should Thomas Frank be sacked? pic.twitter.com/juBBlSCuPD
— 365Scores (@365Scores) December 15, 2025
For Liverpool, it is a test of credibility. Recent wins have steadied the ship, but Tottenham away is the kind of fixture that defines whether that steadiness is real. Doing it without Salah adds another layer. This is about proving Liverpool can win big games through structure, depth, and adaptability, not just individual brilliance.
Zoom out and the league context sharpens everything. Liverpool are chasing Champions League places. Spurs are trying to keep that race within reach. It is December, but these are exactly the matches that echo into May.
FAQs
When is Tottenham vs Liverpool and where is it played?
Saturday 20 December 2025 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with a 5.30pm GMT kick-off.
Why is this match being framed as “both teams need a win”?
Spurs need a response to uneven league form and mounting pressure. Liverpool need points to turn recent positive results into a sustained league push.
Is Mohamed Salah available?
No. He is away at AFCON and will not feature.
Why is Cristian Romero so important for Spurs here?
Because he can influence the match at both ends and has already shown this season that he can rescue Spurs in high-pressure away games.
Why is Hugo Ekitike the key Liverpool player to watch?
With Salah absent, Ekitike carries greater attacking responsibility and comes into the match in form after scoring two apiece against Brighton and Leeds in the last two weeks.
By Nicky Helfgott – NickyHelfgott1 on X (Twitter)
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