Tottenham Hotspur are deep in relegation trouble in the Premier League, just one point above the bottom three. Tottenham have not won a top-flight match in 2026. According to one source, Tottenham are on an 11-match winless streak in the Premier League and a six-game losing run across all competitions.
Interim head coach Igor Tudor has lost all three games of his reign so far. The team's struggles are compounded by an unprecedented injury crisis that has left them severely depleted ahead of Sunday's match against Liverpool at Anfield. Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha have been ruled out for the Liverpool match after clashing heads in the 5-2 loss at Atletico Madrid.
Some reports indicate that Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha are undergoing examinations for suspected concussions. The severity and specific diagnosis of the head injuries sustained by Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha remain unclear. Interim head coach Igor Tudor commented on their status, saying, 'No, no, no they (Romero and Palhinha) are out.
' The exact return dates for Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha beyond the Nottingham Forest match are uncertain. Yves Bissouma is unavailable after sustaining a muscle problem. Conor Gallagher should be fit despite battling a fever.
' The defensive woes continue with Micky van de Ven's situation presenting conflicting reports. According to one source, Micky van de Ven will complete a one-match ban following his dismissal against Crystal Palace. However, another source reports that Micky van de Ven is injured.
This contradiction leaves his availability in question. Djed Spence missed defeats against Fulham and Crystal Palace with a calf injury. Spurs hope Djed Spence will return for the first leg against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Whether Djed Spence will definitively be fit for the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid remains to be seen. Tudor provided an update, saying, 'Djed is out. Not ready.
' Destiny Udogie has been out since suffering a hamstring injury away at Manchester United on February 7. Destiny Udogie is unlikely to return against Atletico Madrid this week. According to one source, Destiny Udogie should be ready for selection against Nottingham Forest next weekend.
The specific timeline for Destiny Udogie's return from his hamstring injury is not fully established. Lucas Bergvall is still recovering from ankle surgery and is unlikely to be back until after the March international break. Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, and Ben Davies are long-term casualties.
According to one source, Wilson Odobert is facing a spell until late 2026 on the sidelines after damaging his ACL last month. Another source indicates James Maddison is targeting a comeback for the beginning of next season following his ACL rupture last pre-season. Right-back Pedro Porro highlighted the severity of the situation, stating, 'It's difficult, because when you're competing in four competitions under these circumstances...
we already had that bad experience last year in the Premier League with so many injured players, and you just can't compete. We have young players coming on strong, and looking at this season, it's basically the same. You're going to play against Arsenal, [Manchester] City, Liverpool, or Chelsea, and you just can't.
We could field a starting XI of injured players that might even be stronger than the 11 that's currently playing. It's not out of disrespect to anyone, but that's basically the reality. We have to think and maintain a positive mindset.
I've told my teammates, it's difficult to compete like this, but we always have to give 100%, even though things aren't going well in the Premier League, just like last year. ' Tudor echoed the unprecedented nature of the crisis, saying, 'Something new happens all the time. ' With the team struggling near the bottom of the table and facing important matches in both domestic and European competitions, the absence of so many key players presents a significant challenge.
As Tottenham prepares to face Liverpool, one of the league's top teams, the depleted squad will need to overcome both their opponents and their own physical limitations to secure a much-needed result. The match against Liverpool represents not just another fixture but a crucial test of Tottenham's resilience and depth during one of the most challenging periods in the club's recent history.