Jose Mourinho didn’t sound optimistic about Gareth Bale’s chances of being involved against Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow.
The on-loan Real Madrid star was a surprise exclusion from Sunday’s Premier League draw with Crystal Palace, although the Spurs boss revealed that the Welshman missed the game at Selhurst Park through illness, but hasn’t contracted Coronavirus.
Bale has played just three times in the league since his move from Madrid, but hasn’t featured since the victory over West Brom last month.
Following his absence against Palace, Mourinho was asked whether Bale could be involved against the champions.
He told Football.London: “We still have a training session. Yesterday he didn’t train with the team, he trained inside. At the moment I’d say no, but we’ll see.”
This isn’t ideal, especially with Bale having so big-game experience, but in terms of his chances of actually starting or even coming off the bench against Liverpool, it shouldn’t change Spurs’ preparations too much.
Mourinho clearly either doesn’t trust Bale or feel he’s up to full speed yet – with the likes of Lucas Moura and Steven Bergwijn above the Welsh captain in the Tottenham pecking order.
