Report: Spurs defence in crisis ahead of tough test at Anfield | OneFootball

Spurs’ Makeshift Backline Faces a Tough Test: Can They Take Their Chances?

Tottenham Hotspur’s season has been a rollercoaster, full of attacking promise but undermined by a backline that has struggled to keep opposition chances at bay. As the Stat Me Up podcast on Anfield Index pointed out, Spurs “still conceded 20 shots” in their last game, even in victory. As Liverpool prepare to face them again, the discussion between Dave Davis and Dr Phil Barter sheds light on why Ange Postecoglou’s side remains unpredictable.

Spurs’ Defensive Woes: A Backline Under Pressure

Tottenham’s defence has been fragile all season. Dr Phil Barter noted that despite winning against Brentford, they “conceded 2.1 expected goals,” a sign that their opponents are still creating high-quality chances. Their defence is not just leaky—it’s wide open.

The issue is compounded by a lack of stability in the backline. With injuries and suspensions forcing constant changes, Tottenham are set to field a “makeshift back four” for this clash. Davis pointed out that “they can’t play the new defender” in this fixture, meaning they are once again left with a patched-up defensive unit. For a team already struggling to deal with opposition attacks, this is a major concern.

Conceding Too Many Chances

If there’s one constant in Spurs’ season, it’s the sheer number of shots they allow. “They still conceded 20 shots” against Brentford, Davis highlighted, a figure that should set alarm bells ringing. That wasn’t a one-off either. As Barter pointed out, “they still concede a lot of shots, they still concede a lot of xG.”

Tottenham may be exciting going forward, but their defensive record tells a different story. “They have conceded 37 goals but were expected to concede 42,” Barter noted. While this suggests they’ve been slightly fortunate, the reality is that luck won’t hold forever. A defence that continues to give up high-quality chances will eventually get punished.

Attack Can’t Cover for Defensive Frailties

One of the few positives for Tottenham is their ability to score goals. They’ve netted 48 times this season, running “a little bit hot” in terms of expected goals, as Barter put it. Players like Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski provide a constant threat, though Son’s absence could be a major blow. “Johnson will be playing,” Barter stated, referring to Brennan Johnson’s increased role in attack.

Photo: IMAGO

However, the problem for Spurs is that their attacking output isn’t enough to mask their defensive issues. As Davis observed, “they ship, they score, they do everything a little bit Tottenham.” That unpredictability is precisely why they’ve struggled to mount a serious challenge for the top four.

Can Liverpool Exploit the Gaps?

Liverpool have their own motivations heading into this match. They’re still in the hunt for silverware, and as Davis put it, “if we can match them physically, our quality should more than tell.” Tottenham’s openness at the back plays directly into Liverpool’s strengths. If Mohamed Salah and co. get space to exploit, it could be a long night for Spurs.

Photo: IMAGO

There’s also the small matter of playing at Anfield. As Davis reminded listeners, “under the lights at Anfield, they normally turn it on.” If Spurs struggle early on, Liverpool could steamroll them, much like they did to Bournemouth in their previous outing.

Spurs need a result, but they’ll have to do it with a defence that’s vulnerable. If they don’t tighten up, they could be in for a difficult evening. As Davis put it, “if Mo Salah and Alisson and Gravenberch do anything like that… all the best Tottenham, because many will be praying for you by the end of it.”