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The original was posted on /r/liverpoolfc by /u/PapaMills09 on 2025-02-05 20:19:44+00:00.
For over a decade, Anfield has been a house of horrors for Tottenham Hotspur. No matter who’s in charge, no matter who’s on the pitch, the story always seems to end the same way: Liverpool celebrating, and Spurs trudging off the field, heads down, empty-handed.
The last time Tottenham left Anfield with a win was way back in May 2011, when Rafael van der Vaart’s stunning volley and a Luka Modric penalty sealed a 2-0 victory. Since then, it’s been heartbreak, near misses, and the occasional thrashing.
On Thursday night, Spurs return to Anfield once again, clinging to hope, maybe even praying, that this time will be different. But history, current form, and the sheer, spine-tingling aura of Anfield suggest otherwise. For Tottenham fans, this fixture feels like a recurring nightmare they just can’t wake up from.
The Weight of History: Spurs’ Anfield Curse
If there’s one away game that makes Tottenham fans shudder, it’s this one. Their last 14 trips to Anfield have resulted in 11 Liverpool wins, three draws, and zero victories for Spurs. The closest they came was in 2019, when Mauricio Pochettino’s side looked set to grind out a hard-fought draw, only for Toby Alderweireld’s agonizing last-minute own goal to hand Liverpool a 2-1 win. It was the kind of cruel twist that sums up Spurs’ luck at this ground.
Then there was the 4-0 drubbing in 2014, a game where Luis Suárez and company ran riot, leaving Spurs utterly humiliated. Even when Tottenham have played well, something always seems to go wrong: a moment of magic from Mohamed Salah, a deflected goal, or a cruel bounce in stoppage time. It’s become almost predictable: Spurs arrive with hope, but they leave with regret.
Liverpool’s Fortress: The Numbers Don’t Lie
If Tottenham are looking for a glimmer of hope, they won’t find it in Liverpool’s home record. Under Arne Slot, Anfied has become a fortress once again. Liverpool have won 13 of their last 15 home games and have scored at least twice in every home match this season. This isn’t just a team that wins at home; they dominate. Arsenal, Chelsea, and Newcastle have all been swept aside here this season, and now it’s Tottenham’s turn to step into the lion’s den.
And then there’s Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian forward has made tormenting Spurs a personal hobby, with 16 goal contributions in 17 games against them (12 goals, 4 assists). If he’s fit and firing, Tottenham’s defenders could be in for a long, painful night.
Injury Woes: A Defensive Nightmare for Spurs
Tottenham’s defensive situation has gone from bad to worse. Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are already doubts, and now they’ve been hit with a devastating blow: Radu Dragusin is out for the season with an ACL injury. The Romanian defender was supposed to shore up their backline, but his absence leaves Spurs dangerously short of options. Against a Liverpool attack that feasts on defensive vulnerabilities, this couldn’t have come at a worse time.
The injury list doesn’t stop there. Destiny Udogie (hamstring), Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), Wilson Odobert (hamstring), Timo Werner (hamstring), Brennan Johnson (muscle), Dominic Solanke (knee), and James Maddison (calf) are all sidelined. It’s a crisis that threatens to derail any chance Spurs have of pulling off a miracle at Anfield.
Is This Time Different for Tottenham?
For all their struggles at Anfield, there’s a sense that this Tottenham team, under Ange Postecoglou, is different. They play with energy, aggression, and a belief that’s been missing in recent years. But belief alone won’t be enough. With a makeshift defense and a mounting injury crisis, Spurs will need more than just spirit to overcome Liverpool’s relentless attack.
The new signings bring a flicker of hope, but hope can only take you so far. Tottenham must not only play their best football but also overcome the psychological baggage of more than a decade of failure at Anfield.
The Tactical Battle: Where Spurs Must Be Perfect
Postecoglou’s philosophy is all about attacking football, but going toe-to-toe with Liverpool at Anfield has been a recipe for disaster for many teams. Press too high, and Liverpool’s lightning-fast counterattacks will tear you apart. Sit too deep, and they’ll suffocate you until you crack. Try to control possession, and you’ll find it nearly impossible to outplay them on their own turf.
Tottenham must find the perfect balance, but against a Liverpool side that thrives on intensity and precision, that’s easier said than done.
One key matchup will be Djed Spence against Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian is in scintillating form, leading the Premier League scoring charts with 21 goals. But Spence isn’t intimidated. “I back myself against anyone,” he said earlier this week. “Salah is a great player, but you’ve just got to nullify what he’s good at.” That kind of confidence is exactly what Spurs need, but it will take more than just belief to stop Salah.
Ange Postecoglou’s Blueprint
Postecoglou knows what’s required. “The first game we played against Liverpool here was tight,” he said, reflecting on their earlier meeting this season. “We limited their chances and created some of our own. That’s the blueprint. We have to be controlled, press well, and deny them clear opportunities. But we also have to believe we can hurt them.”
It’s a tall order, but Postecoglou’s Spurs have shown glimpses of what they’re capable of. Their recent 2-0 win at Brentford ended a dismal run of just one win in 11 league games, giving them a much-needed boost. But against Liverpool, they’ll need more than a boost; they’ll need perfection.
The Final Verdict: Another Nightmare or a New Dawn?
Tottenham have been here before. They’ve walked into Anfield with hope, only to leave with nothing. On Thursday night, they get another chance to rewrite the script. But Liverpool’s form, their dominance at home, and the weight of history all point to the same old story.
Unless Spurs produce something truly extraordinary, Anfield will once again be where their dreams come to die. But in football, as in life, there’s always a chance, no matter how slim, that this time, things will be different. For Tottenham fans, that’s the hope they’ll cling to as they make the trip to Merseyside.
Spurs haven’t won at Anfield since 2011, and with Liverpool’s dominant home form, Salah’s love for scoring against them, and a mounting injury crisis, it’s hard to see that changing. But under Postecoglou, there’s a glimmer of hope—though it’ll take something special to break the curse.