Liverpool receive boost as Tottenham boss reveals duo are out injured

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed his team will be without two key players this weekend as Liverpool head to Wembley.

The Reds resume their Premier League campaign on Saturday after the international break, looking to extend their unbeaten start to 2018/19.

After four successive wins, Jurgen Klopp‘s team sit top of the table—but their biggest test so far comes with the trip to the national stadium.

Klopp will be hoping that no more of his players return from international duty injured, but Spurs have already revealed that two otherwise-guaranteed starters are unavailable.

Goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris will miss the match, just as he did prior to the international break, after suffering a thigh strain.

Just as importantly for the home team, key midfielder Dele Alli is also expected to miss the match against the Reds, after picking up a hamstring injury with England.

Spurs’ depth naturally means they will have decent alternatives to bring into the side, but the importance of that duo shouldn’t be understated.

Michel Vorm will continue in goal as a result of Lloris’ absence—and the French goalkeeper is also under-fire after being sentenced due to a drink-driving incident. However, Dan Kilpatrick reports that Lloris will remain as club captain, despite speculation he could lose the armband.

In midfield, Spurs have the option of recalling Eric Dier to play alongside Mousa Dembele in a double pivot if they revert to a 4-2-3-1 system, though they have been playing a 3-5-2 most recently.

In that case, Dele’s place may be filled by Erik Lamela, Harry Winks, Dier or Victor Wanyama, with the latter duo’s inclusion allowing Dembele to move further forward.

Forward Heung-min Son is available, but unlikely to play a big part after participating in the Asian Games, immediately followed by this international break.

Liverpool have a couple of injury absences of their own, but nothing to affect Klopp’s starting XI.

Adam Lallana, like Dele, picked up an injury on international duty with England—though he’s yet to start a game this season.

Dejan Lovren remains sidelined with a stomach issue and is unlikely to play this month.

Aside from that duo, the Reds’ boss will be hoping his Brazilian trio return unscathed, though not playing in the Selecao’s second friendly should aid those chances considerably.