Tottenham have kept a clean sheet in each of their last two matches, so it feels strange to say the team needs its two injured defenders, Jan Vertonghen and Danny Rose, back as soon as possible.
It says a lot about Vertonghen and Rose that Spurs are a lesser attacking outfit without the duo. Vertonghen aids the transition from defence to midfield with his ability to bring the ball out from the back, while Rose functions more like a left winger than a left back these days.
Anfield will certainly be a tough task without the pair. But Tottenham fans can at least expect to see Rose return sooner rather than later.
The Independent reports that the 26-year-old’s knee scan showed no significant damage, and the player should return to training by the end of the month.
In his pre-Liverpool press conference, Mauricio Pochettino said the left back is “doing well” but didn’t put a timeframe on his return.
There were initial fears Rose could miss up to two months of action, so everyone at the club will be breathing a huge sigh of relief.
As for Vertonghen, his recover from an ankle injury continues and Pochettino thinks the Belgian could “maybe start working with the group next week.”
It’s likely Spurs will go with the back four that kept a clean sheet against Middlesbrough for the visit to Liverpool — Kyle Walker, Toby Alderweireld, Eric Dier and Ben Davies.
